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.The »Roman Path«
Landmarks made of perishable material
The path of the Romans, presumably coming from the east, took course along the Kalkriese Hill. After the defeat and the plundering of the battlefield 2000 years ago only a thin, but clearly visible dispersion of small finds points out the probable route taken by the Roman legionnaires and their impedimenta.
Nowadays the path is covered with steel sheets which are obviously exposed to deterioration through rust. Similar to the memory of the battle and the soldiers killed in action which faded away during the years until it fell into oblivion in the Middle Ages.
The rediscovery of Tacitus’ writings in the 15th century put the news of the Varus Battle back into people’s minds once more. Inscribed sheets bearing short ancient quotations appear between the monotonous steel sheets laid side by side. The description of the events returns to the place of its origin.
The path of the Romans did not run straight. It followed the natural characteristics which had rather special demands in store. To the south, the densely wooded hill; to the north, the impenetrable moor. The choice of the passable path seemed easy…