COBI Germanic Warriors Set 20075

COBI's Germanic Warriors set contains 45 blocks making three figures and a horse for one of them to ride, with a helmet, an axe, spears and decorated shields. All markings are printed; the set contains no stickers.

The three legions that were never replaced

In September of AD 9, Publius Quinctilius Varus marched three legions, six auxiliary cohorts and three cavalry units through the forest and bog of north-western Germania. An allied Germanic officer named Arminius — raised in Rome, a Roman citizen, commanding auxiliary cavalry — had told him the route was safe. It was an ambush, laid by the tribes Arminius had spent years quietly bringing together.

Over three or four days the column was destroyed. Varus killed himself. Between fifteen and twenty thousand men died, and the legionary eagles were taken.

What followed says more than the casualty figure. Rome campaigned across the Rhine for a few years, recovered two of the eagles, and then stopped. The frontier settled on the river and stayed there. And the numbers of the three lost legions — XVII, XVIII and XIX — were never used again in the history of the Roman army.

In the COBI range

These figures are opponents for the Romans set (20067) and the Roman Camp sets. Celtic Warriors (20074) provide a second barbarian force.

Specifications

Pieces: 45 · Figures: 3, one mounted · Also included: one horse