In the centuries before Marcus Aurelius became emperor, the Romans sent troops into the dark forests and marshes beyond the Rhine to fight the barbarians. Largely because of the unfamiliar terrain, these expeditions proved unsuccessful; as a result, the Romans concentrated on building border fortifications and establishing imperial provinces to separate themselves from the Germans who threatened the Danube and the Rhine River frontiers.
These borders were maintained until 167 A. D., when a loose coalition of tribes —including the Marcomanni, Quadi and Langobardi—suddenly stormed across the Danube and penetrated as deep into the empire as Northern Italy. For the first time Germanic peoples occupied Roman territory. Marcus Aurelius was so alarmed at this turn of events that he personally took command of the imperial forces— Roman and loyal German troops aided by allied barbarian contingents. The fortifications and encampments that the rebellious tribes had set up were stormed, and their flimsy log-and-thatch huts were burned to the ground. Overwhelmed by this onslaught, the invaders were slowly forced back toward the Danube border.
BURNING BARBARIAN HUTS, a Roman soldier puts the torch to a tribal settlement, while one of his compatriots takes captive an enemy warrior who bears a decorated wooden shield.
GASPING BEFORE DEATH (left), an unarmed barbarian awaits the final blow as two Roman soldiers carrying spears and shields close in on him. At his feet are his dead and dying comrades.
MORTALLY WOUNDED (right), a barbarian cavalryman slides from his mount, which had neither saddle nor bridle. Behind him a legionnaire stands with his arm raised to strike again.
OVERCOME IN BATTLE a bare-chested invader, protected
Only by a light wooden shield, is no match for his Roman foe, who is outfitted with sword, heavy shield, helmet and breastplate.
World History
