In the consulship of Drusus Cæsar and Caius Norbanus, Germanicus had a
triumph decreed him, though war still lasted. And though it was for the
summer campaign that he was most vigorously preparing, he anticipated it by
a sudden inroad on the Chatti in the beginning of spring. There had, in
fact, sprung up a hope of the enemy being divided between Arminius and
Segestes, famous, respectively, for treachery and loyalty towards us.
Arminius was the disturber of
Germany. Segestes
often revealed the fact that a rebellion was being organized, more
especially at that
ARMINIUS ORGANIZES REBELLION |
last banquet after which they rushed to arms, and he urged Varus to arrest
himself and Arminius and all the other chiefs, assuring him that the people
would attempt nothing if the leading men were removed, and that he would
then have an opportunity of sifting accusations and distinguishing the
innocent. But Varus fell by fate and by the sword of Arminius, with whom
Segestes, though dragged into war by the unanimous voice of the nation,
continued to be at feud, his resentment being heightened by personal
motives, as Arminius had carried off his daughter who was betrothed to
another. With a son-in-law detested, and fathers-in-law also at enmity, what
are bonds of love between united hearts became with bitter foes incentives
to fury.
