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The path of what we call Western Civilization has been shaped by many factors throughout history, with war being the main catalyst for change. In this article we will discuss a major battle that has helped shape Western Civilization into the cultures we know today.

Battle of Teutoburg Forest, 9 CE

In the early part of the 1st millenia, the Romans had Gaul subdued, and were focusing their attention on the Germanic Tribes. One Germanic chief, Arminius( Hermann to the Germanic peoples), was a veteran of the Roman army, eventually achieving the rank of Equestrian. Arminius took these tactics with him to Germania, where he would use it against his once former employers.

Publius Varus, then Governor of Germania, had received word of an impending revolt to the West of the Rhine river from Arminius, who had requested his help to suppress the revolt. Despite the fact that he was warned several times that the revolt could be a ruse, Varus left for the scene with the 17th, 18th, and 19th Legions, their wives, children, and retainers in tow. As they entered Teutoburg Forest, the Germans sprung their trap.
Resenting Roman influences, and the enormous taxation waged by Governor Varus, Arminius was able to unite the various Cherusci tribes, which was a feat in itself, since the Germanic Tribes were very loosely held together, and often battled each other as much the Romans, and earlier, the Gauls. Having heard that Varus set out with the Legions, Arminius positioned his men within the forest wall, out of sight of the approaching Romans. The Roman train of soldiers and family members stretched 15 kilometers long, weakening them severely if attacked. As they entered deeper into the forest, Arminius attacked.
Unable to use standard Roman battle tactics, the Legions were cut to pieces, as were the women, children, slaves, and retainers. An estimated 20,000 people died in the battle.
The Battle of Teutoburg Forest secured the Germanic culture from Roman colonization, as the Romans regarded the Germanic invasion campaign as a lost cause. This policy led to the eventual banding together of various tribes, particularly the Goths, who would eventually invade what was left of the Roman Empire, conquering the city of Rome herself.

If the Battle of Teutoburg had been won by the Romans, the Western World may have had a much different shape. Germanic culture would have been lost; the Angles and Saxons, who would later invade the British Isles, may have been Latin speaking, and the English language may have never developed. The Vikings and Normans, who have had such an impact on Western cultures, may not have embarked on their war-expeditions, spreading the Nordic languages and cultures into France, Britain, Ireland, Russia, and the Middle East. There would possibly have never been a split of the Roman Empire into East and West, curbing the rise of Christianity and Islam into major world religions.
Without Teutoburg, there may have never been a Charlemagne, Bismarck, or Hitler, effectively the Three Reich's. German nationalism may have never arisen, leading possibly to a very different Europe than what we know today.

Learn more about this author, Jeff Woodward.
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