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.Germanic tribes
The Marcomanni
The Marcomanni were part of the Suebi, a group of Germanic tribes. They were probably forced to leave the river Elbe at the beginning of the first century BC. They subsequently settled near the river Main. During the Gallic Wars, a Marcomanni auxiliary unit led by Ariovist fought against Caesar in 58 BC. In 9 BC the Marcomanni were defeated by Drusus. They then withdrew into Bohemia, which had been partially abandoned by the Celtic Boii. Between 4 and 6 AD, the Marcomanni survived Tiberius’ campaigns unscathed. Consequently, they concluded a peace agreement with Tiberius.
During the Varus Battle Arminius tried to persuade the Marcomanni to join him by sending Varus’ disembodied head to Marbod, the king of the Marcomanni. However, Marbod continued to comply with the peace agreement and sent Varus’ head on to the Emperor Augustus, who then arranged for an appropriate burial ceremony.
Finally, in 17 AD, the Marcomanni fought against Arminius’ Germanic tribal coalition, but the conflict did not come to a conclusion.
Ancient news from the Markomanni