Italicus

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Italicus was the son of Flavus ("the blonde"), the younger brother of Arminius and grandson of the Cheruscan prince Segimer .

According to the annals of Tacitus , 11th book, chap. 16, Italicus was completely alienated from his Germanic roots by his upbringing in Rome. Nevertheless, after the death of Arminius (approx. 21 AD), the Cheruscans asked to be allowed to make him their king. The Cheruscan aristocracy had increasingly decimated through fraternal feuds. Tacitus even suspected that "there was no one left of the nobility" due to the civil war-like tribal clashes. What is certain is that a Cheruscan delegation presented to Rome in 47 and asked for a suitable prince. Rome then "granted" them the Italicus. Emperor Tiberius provided him with money, companions and "good advice" and pointed out that Italicus was the first Roman who went to the Germanic peoples not as a hostage, but as a free man and future ruler of a people.

At first he is said to have had success in pacifying the Cherusci. The supposedly handsome, stately Italicus ("forma decorus") was said to be familiar with both Roman and Germanic weapons. He could ride excellently and, according to Tacitus' statements, combined "Roman delicacy and moderation" with barbarian customs, which included "excessive carousing and wild passions". Having become cocky, Italicus was quickly attacked, and although there was a battle against his opponents, he had to go into exile. Although he came to power again with the help of the Lombards , the blood feuds continued. How Italicus and his reign ended is not known.

A few years later, the Chatti seem to have interfered in the internal affairs of the neighboring Cherusci and, around the year 88 AD, drove out their princes Chariomerus.

Tacitus was able to write around 100 AD that the recently so strong and important Cheruscan family no longer existed apart from a miserable bunch. The doctrine issued by Emperor Tiberius to the Germanicus in 16 AD, to leave the Teutons to their internal disputes instead of fighting them in their forests and swamps with high Roman losses, had worked.

Publius Baebius Italicus or his family may have adopted and raised the Cheruscan son of Flavus and nephew of Arminius , on which his success during the Chat Wars of 83 and 85 AD could be based.

See also:

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Heinrich Luden: History of the Teutschen People, Volume 1, Gotha 1825, p. 342
  2. ^ Cassius Dio: epitome 67.5.
personal data
SURNAME Italicus
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Cheruscan prince
DATE OF BIRTH before 47
DATE OF DEATH 1st century