The Cimbri’s Long trek south had proved in vain, with no land to be found and With all options now exhausted, they followed the Danube river north, into the territory of the Taurisci, and in doing so would start a chain reaction of events, that would change the course of European history.
The Taurisci were a powerful tribe living in the Kingdom of Noricum, on Rome’s northern most Border. They settled there after their defeat at the Battle of Telamon, between a Celtic alliance and the Roman Republic a century earlier. Despite their early conflicts with Rome, they were now considered firm allies of the Republic. The area was also famous for its superior iron deposits, known as “Noric Steel”. This resource was obviously highly valued by the military minded Rome, and thus the area was of strategic value in more ways than one.
Little is known of what occurred between the meeting of the Taurisci and the Cimbrian horde, but certainly some disagreement, and possibly even some small skirmishes took place, as it was not long before the Taurisci called upon their powerful allies in the south.
The Roman elite alarmed at the presence of the Cimbrian horde on their northern border, wasted little time in sending support.
It was down to Roman consul, Gnaeus Papirius Carbo, who was charged with the protection of Rome, to make sure this threat did not spill over into Roman territory. So with several legions Carbo marched north to the Alps, to make secure the border and do what was necessary for Rome’s protection.
Carbo arrived about a year after the initial incursions into Noricum and took up tactically advantageous position at a narrow passage through the Alps with his thirty thousand troops, as this would be the most likely route of the Cimbri if they wished to march upon Rome.
Because The Cimbrian alliance seemed disinterested in any advance on Rome. Carbo now getting impatient decided to take the fight to them. Here we are struck by a small conundrum, would a general give up tactical advantage in protection of Rome to engage the whole horde? As Appian the most thorough writer upon this event only ever mentions the Teutones in his description of the battle of Noriea, we have to assume that Carbo’s confidence may have been down to him only being aware of a smaller raiding band, and not the whole force.
We are told by Appian before any great battle could take place, the Teutones sent envoy to the Roman lines. These ambassadors of the Teutones, trying to ease the situation, declared they had not known of Romes alliance, and thus would immediately halt their actions and leave. Carbo praised the Teutonic envoy and gave them guides to lead them out of Noricum Safely. It seems though the temptation of glory got the better of him, mistaking the Teutones apology for weakness, Carbo had laid a trap, Appian states,
“but privately charged the guides to take them by a longer route. He himself then marched by a shorter one and fell unexpectedly upon the Teutones, though they were still desisting from hostilities”
If the Tuetones sensed Carbos plan to betray them and secretly prepared themselves, we do not know, but we know that Carbo’s plan backfired terribly. Far from profiting from this treacherous act, the Tuetones by their sheer ferocity not only overcame the ambush, but killed all but a handful of the thirty thousand legionaries Carbo had brought to destroy them.
Despite his rash action and his devastating loses, Carbo himself somehow managed to escape the battlefield uninjured. Far from Gaining glory in Rome Carbo’s defeat was seen as unforgivable by many a statesman. Historians later note that Carbos acts far from discouraging the threat had in fact inspired it upon them, by virtue of its weak display. This sadly for Carbo would eventually end in his suicide, unable to live down the error of his actions.
With one of Romes consuls brought to heel and some of the best of Rome slaughtered in the battle of Noriea, Rome was left open. As the reports of the defeat reached the capitol, panic and hysteria began to spread. The threat from the North, now known as “terror Cimbricus” was the fore most concern of the populace.
Who were these ferocious men of the North, Who had so easily overcome a Roman army while at a disadvantage?
Tales of their nature began to be told from wealthy villa to plebeian hovel. Although we cannot know exactly what was being said at the time, some later writings give us a sense of the reports,
Plutarch aswell as noting “their great stature” and “their light blue eyes”. States,
“Moreover, their courage and daring made them irresistible, and when they engaged in battle they came on with the swiftness and force of fire, so that no one could withstand their onset, but all who came in their way became their prey and booty”
He also adds of their battle attire,
“They wore helmets representing the heads of wild beasts, and other unusual figures, and crowned with a winged crest, to make them appear taller. They were covered with iron coats of mail, and carried white glittering shields. Each had a battleaxe; and in close fight they used large heavy swords”
The Greek historian Strabo speaks of the Cimbrian Women,
“Their wives, who would accompany them on their expeditions, were attended by priestesses who were seers; these were grey-haired, clad in white, with flaxen cloaks fastened on with clasps, girt with girdles of bronze, and bare-footed; now sword in hand these priestesses would meet with the prisoners of war throughout the camp, and having first crowned them with wreaths would lead them to a brazen vessel of about twenty amphorae; and they had a raised platform which the priestess would mount, and then, bending over the kettle, would cut the throat of each prisoner after he had been lifted up; and from the blood that poured forth into the vessel some of the priestesses would draw a prophecy, while still others would split open the body and from an inspection of the entrails would utter a prophecy of victory for their own people; and during the battles they would beat on the hides that were stretched over the wicker-bodies of the wagons and in this way produce an unearthly noise.”
Even their children are mentioned, with writers noting that they had the appearance of old men, such was the whiteness of their hair.
With such stories of their irresistible nature, and ceremonial slaughter being spread by the populace, the Roman elite had to act. Terror Cimbricus had to be stopped, before this irresistible and furious fire from the North began to spread, and threaten to consume all in its path, even the mighty Rome
Looks like they judged the character of the Roman General and knew that he’d lie and try to screw them.The minor force made him hesitant about his decisions.The Cimbrii got to see where the Romans were ,and the Roman recce just sounds lazy.