Note 130 — Chapter III · Criticism of The Accepted View

Reitzenstein, “Das deutsche Heldenlied bei Tacitus,” Hermes, 48 (1913), p. 268, quite correctly observes that the defeat of Varus had no such significance; that there was no change in Rome’s policy until Germanicus’ time, and that Rome’s contest with Germany through three decades did nothing to unite the strength of her antagonist, for hatred toward Arminius and the desire for his downfall characterize a political situation which is found at a much later time.