| “ | Everything I know about fighting… I know from you. What do we fight for? I often asked you that. Some fight for what used to be… and others, for that which is to come. We fight for love. We fight for honor. We fight for glory. We fight for our freedom. Some fight for their children. Some fight for their gods. The crucial point is that we can only win when we're in complete control of our feelings. Have a crystal-clear strategy. That you must maintain order in your ranks and destroy theirs. | ” |
| — Arminius to Varus[src] | ||
Gaius Julius Arminius (commonly referred to as Ari) is a main character on the Netflix original series Barbarians. He is portrayed by Laurence Rupp.
Arminius is the son of Reik Segimer of the Cherusci tribe. He was given away to the Romans as a sign of peace and good faith between the Roman Empire and the Germanic people.[1] And so, Ari became Arminius and was raised by Varus in the image of the Romans. He became Varus' most trusted confidant and officer before achieving knighthood. However, in returning to Germania from Rome, Ari reunited with childhood friends Thusnelda and Folkwin Wolfspeer, eventually coming to realize that his place was among the Cheruscan people. So, he married Thusnelda and claimed his birthright as Reik of Cherusci before allying with the neighboring tribes and plotting a Germanic revolt to vanquish Rome in what would come to be known as the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.[2]
Early Life[]
Ari is a Cherusci native and Reik Segimer's son, therefore making him the rightful heir. However, he and his brother were taken away from his home and made hostages of the Roman Empire.[1] There, Ari was raised by Roman Governor Varus. As he came of age, he was eventually drafted into the Roman military and became one of Varus' most respected officers, hoping to achieve knighthood one day. He served as prefect of the auxiliary Germanic troops in Pannonia.[3]
Prior to being taken by Rome, Thusnelda and Folkwin were Ari's best friends. One day, Ari was being chased down by a wolf with nothing but a stick to defend himself. Luckily for him, Thusnelda and Folkwin came to his aid and killed the beast, with each haven taken a tooth from the dead animal and making a pact of allegiance from that day forward.[1]
Throughout the Series[]
Season 1[]
Returning to Germania[]
Arminius arrives at camp and greets his father, Varus, who welcomes him to Germania. He is in need of his son’s strategy. Reik Gernot Redbeard is then taken prisoner by Rome after refusing to pay tribute. Varus gives him another chance to submit, but instead, Gernot spits on the standard. So Varus sentences him to death. Arminius explains that according to Germanic law, a man cannot sentence another man. However, Varus argues there is only the law of Rome before commanding Arminius to execute Gernot. Arminius takes the sword from Metellus and beheads Gernot.
While gazing upon the standard, Arminius hallucinates seeing a wolf. Later that night, Arminius notices a random robe lying on the ground. He then notices a pool of blood running out one of the tents. He finds two dead guards and warns the others to secure the area. He discovers that Rome's eagle has been stolen. Arminius then recovers a leather bound tooth necklace off the ground. He recognizes it as Thusnelda’s.
With Varus' permission, Arminius goes looking for Talio, leader of the Germanic mercenaries and informs him in Latin of their mission to retrieve the standard. In German, Talio tells his men to prepare for sunrise. He adds "We have to lick Rome’s stinking cunt again." Unbeknownst to him, Arminius speaks their language, and he orders for Talio to be whipped for his bad mouthing. The following evening, at dawn, they head out. Arminius arrives in Cherusci, where he reunites with his father, Segimer.[4]
Reuniting with Folkwin and Thusnelda[]
Many years ago, when Arminius was but a boy, he was attacked by a wild wolf with nothing but a stick to defend himself. Thusnelda and Folkwin weren’t far behind and killed the wolf with spears. Afterward, they each extracted a tooth from the dead wolf and made a pact: "Woden, bear witness to our pact of allegiance. We are one and one are we. Your enemy is my enemy. And my enemy is your enemy." Their pact is interrupted by a group of Romans. The three of them take off into the woods and retreat back to the village, where Reik Segimer had agreed to give up both Arminius and his youngest son to the Romans in exchange for peace.
Present day, Arminius asks his father about his mother, who apparently died six winters ago from a fever. She was praying for Arminius and his brother until the end. Arminius hands his father a means to measure time. He then asks about the gold eagle as he knows that they have it. When he returns, he expects the standard to be awaiting him.
Arminius reunites with Thusnelda and Folkwin for the first time since he was taken away from Cherusci. He admits that he knows they stole the eagle and provides Thusnelda’s necklace as proof. Arminius warns them of the power of Rome and how they will be killed if they don’t submit. He asks for the eagle back and agrees to part ways. Thusnelda always knew that one day Arminius would return, but she doesn’t recognize the man he has become.
Arminius returns to Cherusci, where he is confronted by Berulf over the death of his uncle, Gernot Redbeard. Arminius doesn’t wish to battle, but Berulf wants to fight to the death and charges at Arminius with an axe, gravely wounding him during the battle. Despite his injury, Arminius manages to beat Berulf, though he spares the Cheruscan’s life. With his back turned, Berulf attacks and nearly beats him to death until Folkwin intervenes after he and Thusnelda watched helplessly. He knocks Berulf unconscious with a single blow to the head and asks if anyone else wants to take his friend from him.
Arminius tends to his wound. He doesn’t want his father’s help. Still, Segimer warns Arminius to leave before Berulf returns to kill him. Arminius still holds a grudge against his father for giving him away. Segimer claims that he was simply putting the tribe’s best interest first. Segimer then tells Arminius to leave once more, but he won’t do so without the standard.
Arminius finds the standard and flees on a horse with Folkwin not far behind. It doesn’t take long for him to catch up to Arminius and demand that the eagle back, but Arminius refuses. When Folkwin attempts to reclaim the eagle, Arminius hits him across the face with the sack, knocking Folkwin unconscious.
Arminius stumbles through the woods, still very weak from his battle with Berulf. He tears his shirt and uses it to apply pressure to his wound. He then recalls he and his brother’s arrival in Rome. Varus told him that Rome would be his mother and father and gifted them Trojan horses. Arminius grows weaker by the second. He stumbles through the woods and drops the standard in a lake. He eventually manages to retrieve it, though he looks over and momentarily meets the sights of a non-existing wolf.
Arminius limps back to camp and collapses onto the ground just outside the barrier. Arminius is taken inside, Varus tells him that he is proud of him. Arminius then requests redeployment to Rome. Varus has already sent a messenger to put Arminius’ name forward to the emperor for knighthood. But Arminius has one final task. He must bring them the head of Folkwin Wolfspeer.[1]
Hunting Folkwin[]
Arminius prays to the gods for guidance during his mission. Metellus then informs him that he will be accompanying him on Varus’ command. They are not to return without Folkwin Wolfspeer’s head on a pike.
Arminius arrives in Cherusci in search of Folkwin. He finds that Folkwin's family is being taken down after being crucifed and orders Segestes to help. He then asks where to find Folkwin, but Segimer hasn’t seen him. He begs Arminius to spare Folkwin, but he can’t. If he doesn’t return with Folkwin’s head, the whole village will parish.
After be shunned from Folkwin's family's funeral and failing to capture Folkwin, the Romans set up camp for the night. Arminius and Metellus bond over their time spent in Pannonia. Arminius was deployed there as prefect of the auxiliary Germanic troops. Arminius bares a brand or what he calls a souvenir from Pannonia steel on his right arm. Metellus bears a similar wound on his left thigh. Metellus then admits that Arminius made the right choice in allowing the Cherusci tribe to bury their people against Varus’ wishes. A sobbing Luco is then captured by the guards and brought before them. After he reveals that Folkwin is hiding out in the Dark Land, Metellus kills him.
Arminius and Metellus track Folkwin down. They kill his accomplices and hold him at knife point. Metellus hands his sword over to Arminius to finish the job. Rather than beheading Folkwin, Arminius kills Metellus instead.[3]
Reik of Cherusci[]
Arminius questions why Folkwin stopped the duel between him and Berulf. Arminius wanted to kill Folkwin but didn’t have it in him. Arminius then cauterizes Folkwin’s wound. Thusnelda arrives, and Folkwin reveals that Arminius saved his life. Arminius explains that nothing has changed; he was merely repaying a debt. He’s still a prefect of the Roman cavalry. Thusnelda and Folkwin attempt to try and convince Arminius to join them, but he insists that he belongs to Rome. He encourages them to find some place safe and never return. As for Arminius, he cannot return without Folkwin’s head on a pike, so he substitutes Folkwin’s head with Eigil’s as all barbarians look alike to Varus.
Arminius returns with Eigil’s head, passing it off as that of Folkwin Wolfspeer. Varus is greatly pleased. After ordering that Folkwin’s head be put on display, Varus informs Arminius that he isn’t going back to Rome. Instead, Varus intends for him to remain in Germania and lead the Cherusci tribe as it is his birthright. Arminius is displeased and replies that Cherusci already has a reik, but not for long, Varus reveals. And so Arminius races off to Cherusci to stop his father from taking his own life.
After failing to stop his father from killing himself, Arminius returns to camp and lashes out in a fit of rage. He then receives alarming news — one of his men survived the attack and made it back to camp. He’s currently in the infirmary and has yet to speak about the ordeal. So Arminius goes into the infirmary and snap’s the sole survivor’s neck. Talio witnesses this unfold from just a couple beds over. He reveals that his back is infected from the whipping he received. Just as it seems Arminius is reaching for his blade to kill Talio, the doctor returns.
Arminius invites Talio into his tent and asks if he’s spoken to anyone about what he saw, which he hasn’t. Talio reveals that he knows Folkwin is still alive as that is not his head displayed for the public. In exchange for his silence, Talio tells Arminius that he wants a plot of land and a year’s salary for him and his men. When Arminius asks about Talio’s family, he reveals that he has six children. Arminius tells him that he should be thinking of his children’s future and suggests a possible mutiny. The Romans pretend to be friendly, though domination is their aim.
Arminius arrives with Talio and his men to find Cherusci under attack by Hadgan and the Chatti. So he declares that Cherusci is under the protection of Rome. As the son of Segimer, Arminius claims his birthright as Reik of Cherusci. Arminius then retreats back to his father’s house, which he now claims as his own. He asks Talio about the proposed mutiny against Rome. Talio replies that he needs to know more about Arminius’ plan, which Arminius is more than willing to divulge, but first, he needs Talio to find Thusnelda and Folkwin.
Arminius meets with Thusnelda and Folkwin in a secluded field. He’s ready to fight side-by-side with them. Rome is both of their enemies. Arminius intends to attack the three legions. But for that to work, the tribes must unite. Admittedly, the tribes don’t trust Arminius as they see him as a Roman. However, they do trust Thusnelda. Many admire her as a warrior, so Arminius proposes that the two of them wed. Folkwin is enraged by the notion and attacks Arminius.[5]
Plotting Against Rome[]
Folkwin eventually agrees to the idea, and Arminius and Thusnelda return to Cherusci together, where they reveal to that they’re engaged to be married. The wedding ceremony commences. The entire tribe is in attendance, as well as the neighboring tribes. Afterward, the tribes gather to feast. As a wedding gift, Aldarich promises Arminius 2,000 of his warriors. Arminius then looks to Rurik, who has nothing to offer. Rome has three legions, and they don't have nearly enough men to stop them. He also recalls how Arminius beheaded Gernot Redbeard of Bructeri. Rurik doesn’t trust any of the other tribes and denounces any kind of alliance. A messenger then arrives with a gift from reik Hadgan — horse feces to be exact.
Following the feast, Arminius and Thusnelda are blinded together by Runa in front of the entire village. The tribe leaves soon thereafter as the newlyweds are expected to consummate their marriage, but Arminius is well aware that Thusnelda loves Folkwin.
After meeting with Segestes and Irmina, Talio arrives with Folkwin’s necklace and takes Arminius and Thusnelda to the campsite where he found the necklace lying next to a pile of charred remains, who they believe to be Folkwin.
Arminius and Thusnelda arrive at the Roman’s camp to meet with Varus, who insists that Arminius is true to the cause and it's his loyalty to the Roman Empire that Varus officially offers him knighthood. Varus fears a rebellion is afoot. They need to restore the priest, so he tells Arminius to bring him a son from every reik as a hostage. Afterwards, Thusnelda questions where Arminius’ loyalties lie. She noticed how the Romans admire him and how Varus is like a father to him. Arminius does intend to gather the reiks’ sons as commanded, but he also has a plan.
In the weeks that followed, Arminius and Thusnelda took the son of every reik and instructed each of them to come to the next moon festival. The night arrives, and Rurik demands to know the whereabouts of his son. Arminius points out how they’re all too weak to stand up alone. Not even one single time could they band together to stop Rome from taking their sons. Arminius explains that their sons are safe in his village and protected. He never intended to give them over to Varus. In Rome, he was taught to despise his people and his roots. And he doesn’t want that for any other child. So they must come together to defeat Rome. In barely a moon, three Roman legions will return to Vetera from their summer campaign.
Despite the fact that they’ve convinced the tribes to an alliance, Arminius knows that they don’t trust him. He’s but a useful tool. It’s Thusnelda they trust. At dawn, he rides to Varus to lead the Romans into the woods. Thusnelda confesses to Arminius that she doesn’t want to be without him and the two have sex.
Arminius returns to camp and meets with Varus and Quintus, who question the whereabouts of the hostages. Arminius claims that the reik of Marsi refused to give his son up. This led the others to follow suit. Arminius proposes that the three legions take a detour on their way back to Vetera and teach the tribes a lesson, and Varus agrees. Segestes suddenly arrives and demands an audience with the governor as he reveals that Arminius will betray Rome.[6]
The Battle of Teutoburg Forest[]
Arminius denies Segestes accusations that he is attempting to lead Rome into an ambush, reasoning that the warring tribes would never be able to take down three legions and that it would be foolish of anyone to try. Varus is glad to hear none of these allegations are true and laughs hysterically. With that said, Varus decides to move forward with Arminius’ plan to burn down Marsi. Varus then apologizes for ever doubting Arminius, even for a moment.
Arminius discovers that Folkwin is still alive. He approaches the cage and tells Folkwin that they thought he was dead. Folkwin doesn’t care. He just wants out, and he’s bringing Raskild with him. Arminius urges him to remain patient as they’re planning the attack.
Arminius, Varus, and Quintus lead the three legions to Vetera. They part ways throughout the forest as planned. Varus sends Arminius and Talio ahead to secure the path. Arminius recalls the first time he touched a Roman knight’s sword and how Varus explained it was a sign of power and strength.
As the Roman army travels through the forest, trees begin to fall all around them, separating the large force into smaller fleets. They suddenly find themselves surrounded by barbarians. Arminius follows suit, leading his men into battle revealing the barbaric war paint under his helmet. Arminius finds Thusnelda amidst the battle. He sees her eye, though she insists that she’s alright and tells him that today they will avenge Folkwin’s death.
The Romans have retreated to the field, which has been parted with an accelerant, which is then ignited, dividing the Roman legions, allowing them tribes to attack from all sides as they’re trapped within the flames. Half way through battle, Varus removes his armor, picks up a sword, and kills himself in front of Arminius. The battle ends and the tribes prove victorious, though it proves to be a bittersweet victory for Arminius, who is now without either of his fathers. Thusnelda encourages him not to mourn Varus as he never truly cared for Arminius. She then informs Arminius that he not only won the battle but the heart of his warriors. He can rule as their king and Thusnelda as his queen.
Arminius asks Folkwin to share in the spoils as he deserves it more than anyone. Folkwin is the only person he trusts, so if he does become king, he wants Folkwin to be his first lord. Folkwin retorts that he’ll be the first to kill Arminius if he rules. Afterward, Arminius joins Talio around the fire and drinks to their victory. He then notices a wolf not far off into the woods.[2]
Kill Count[]
- Gernot Rotbart — Beheaded by Arminius after being sentenced to death by Varus for refusing to bow down to the Roman Empire.
- Metellus — Arminius and Metellus were instructed by Varus to kill Folkwin for having stolen the eagle. After tracking him down to the Dark Land, Arminius killed Metellus as he didn't have it in him to kill his childhood friend.
- Unnamed Roman Soldiers — Arminius has killed Roman soldiers on numerous occasions, including when he saved Folkwin and during the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.
Appearances[]
Season 1[]
Trivia[]
- Arminius' victory over Vargus is regarded as Rome's greatest defeat by modern historians.
Gallery[]
