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TheMarsi (German:Marser) were a smallGermanic tribe settled between theRhine,Ruhr andLippe rivers in northwest Germany. It has been suggested that they were a part of theSugambri who managed to stay east of the Rhine after most Sugambri had been moved from this area.[1]Strabo describes the Marsi as an example of a Germanic tribe who were originally from the Rhine area, now the war-torn Roman frontier, but had migrated deep into Germania.[2]
Tacitus mentions them repeatedly, in particular in the context of the wars ofGermanicus. They had been part of the tribal coalition of theCheruscian war leader and traitor to Rome,Arminius that in 9 AD annihilated threeRoman legions underVarus in theBattle ofTeutoburg Forest. Germanicus, seeking revenge for this defeat, invaded the lands of the Marsi in 14 AD with 12,000 legionnaires, 26 cohorts of auxiliaries and eight cavalry squadrons. The Marsi were massacred during a festival near a temple dedicated toTamfana. According toTacitus, an area of 50 Roman miles was laid to waste with fire and sword: "No sex, no age found pity."[3] One Legion Eagle was recovered from the Marsi during the campaign of 16 AD.[4]
Several town names today are often seen as reminders of the ancient Marsi, especiallyMarsberg with its quarterObermarsberg in easternNorth Rhine-Westphalia andVolkmarsen in northernHesse.[citation needed] But the early versions of the name Marsberg areEresburg within theRoyal Frankish Annals and Heresburg withinThe Deeds of the Saxons byWidukind of Corvey.[5] Volkmarsen is first mentioned in 1155 as Volkmaressen,[6] which derives from Volkmarshusen and means "at the houses ofVolkmar".[7]
