The Varus Battle in the Year 9 CE – or How to Escape the ‘Memory’ Trap

Abstract

In 9 CE, after almost 30 years of struggle in Germania, the Roman Empire suffered a tragic defeat. It resulted in the loss of the 17th, 18th and 19th legion and became known as clades variana, later as Varus Battle, Battle of the Teutoburg Forest or as Hermannsschlacht . Over the centuries the event acquired special significance due to its particular historical circumstances, the historical re-interpretations since the 16th century and the excavations at Kalkriese, which finally led to the erection of a museum on site. Thus the Varus Battle may fulfill many of the criteria for a lieu de mémoire, but a closer look reveals some constraints concerning the applicability and appropriateness of this theoretical concept for the event in question.