What
kind of name for a town is Hermann, anyway?
The City of
Hermann, Missouri takes its name from Hermann the Cherusker.
Hermann the Cherusker (the Romans called him Arminius) is a
German folk hero of the first century who annihilated three
Roman Legions in the Battle of Teutoburger in 9 A.D. at the ripe
old age of 27 years old. Historians say his victory was the
beginning of the end of domination by the empire of the Ceasars
over Germany as well as the British Isles. To many Germans, he
is understandably a symbol for strength.
In his honor, the
Germans erected a tall monument of him near Detmold, Germany in
1875, and a similar monument in New Ulm, Minnesota, was erected
in 1897. Pictured at right is statue of Hermann that guards the
entrance of Spassberg, a German village at Six Flags Fiesta
Texas in San Antonio. |
|
Hermann,
son of Sigimer, was one of the Germanic princes of the Cherusci
(also known as the Cherusker tribe). He and his brother, Flavus,
were educated by the Romans, and Flavus ultimately would take up
arms against his own people. Hermann became an officer in the
Roman military forces, but when he returned to his native land
of Germany, he soon objected to the imposition of Roman law upon
his people. Hermann was determined to prevent his country from
being delivered up to Rome. Hermann knew that the Romans were
superior in their equipment, organization, and numbers, but he
was convinced that if the Romans came and fought in his home
country, his knowledge of the land would be enough of an
advantage to overpower the Romans. His attacks were successful,
and he swiftly defeated the Roman Army, causing people far and
wide to rebel against the Romans.
Hermann's heroics
for his people were not without extreme cost to him. In
vengeance, the Romans captured his pregnant wife and took her
off to slavery in Rome. A son was born to his wife in Rome
and had to remain a slave for the rest of his life.
Hermann never saw his wife again or his son. Hermann died
12 years after his great military victory.
German, Roman,
and British historians recognize Hermann as one of the most
ingenious personalities who precipitated the fall of the Roman
Empire and the rise of a Germanic Europe. |
|
|
For more activities and
events in Hermann, Missouri please visit our weekly,
monthly, and annual
calendar pages. |