Content Middle
Main Content
.Germanic tribes
Segestes
Segestes belonged to one of the most influential Cheruscan families. In Latin documents his position is described as a »princeps« which is often translated as prince. He had a son and a daughter, Segimuntos and Thusnelda; however he was quite worried about her. Although she had already been promised to an honourable man, she fell in love with Segimer’s son Arminius and willingly let herself be captured by him.
Segestes refused Arminius’ plans. He believed that it would be more advantageous to cooperate with the powerful Romans who had already conquered parts of Germania and obviously did not even think about stopping. He was not the only one who was of this opinion. Inguiomer for example, Arminius’ uncle, thought the same way. Segestes attained Roman citizenship to reward his loyalty to the Roman Empire. This could be quite helpful when dealing with the Romans. This was also the reason why he urgently tried to warn Varus of the imminent danger but fatally the governor did not believe him.
He could not accept the marriage of his daughter and Arminius. Finally, he managed to recapture his now pregnant daughter. He did not reckon that her husband’s resistance would be so persistent. When the situation became more dangerous for him, he called Germanicus’ Roman soldiers for help. These relieved him promptly and took both Segestes and his daughter to Rome, where they were separated from each other.
In 17 AD Segestes was invited as a Germanic ally of the Roman Empire to watch the victory march of Germanicus. Amongst the »barbarians« who were paraded through the streets of Rome, he recognised his two children, Segimuntus and Thusnelda, his grandson Thumelicus, further Cherusci and other Germanic people.
Ancient news from Segestes