Kalefeld
Encyclopedia
Kalefeld is a municipality in the district of Northeim
, in Lower Saxony
, Germany
. It is situated approximately 10 km north of Northeim
. It comprises the villages of Dögerode, Eboldshausen, Echte
, Kalefeld, Oldenrode, Oldershausen, Sebexen,
Westerhof, Wiershausen, and Willershausen.
In 2008, a Roman battlefield was excavated near the town. Currently it is very probable that Roman legionaries won a battle for a blocked pass against local Germanic fighters.
and Kassel
who discovered metallic items using metal-detectors.
The archaeologists have now ascertained that a fierce battle now called the Battle at the Harzhorn
took place on the approach to a pass, involving archers and cavalry equipped with long-range catapults (Scorpio
) capable of piercing shields at a distance of 300 metres (yards).
"The findings show that possibly 1,000 Romans were involved" in the battle, according to the leading archaeologist, Petra Lönne. "This is an unrivalled, well-preserved site," she added. Some 600 artefacts have so far been found, including spears, arrowheads, axes, armour plating, tent peg
s, catapult bolts and coins.
One such coin depicts the Roman emperor Commodus
, who reigned from 180 to 192 AD (terminus post quem), while fragments of swords and carts suggest the battle took place in the first half of the third century AD
Contrary to the belief of the German media that the Romans completely retreated behind the river Rhine in the wake of the Teutoburg Forest massacre
in which thousands of legionaries were slaughtered, historical records regularly reported about military operations as punitive raids east of the Rhine.
Such military operations are reported for the time of Caracalla
and Maximinus Thrax
, the first Roman soldier-emperor who reigned briefly from 235 to 238, was personally involved in operations against the Germanic tribes.
In April 2009 the responsible archaeologists presented new found six silver denarii: one of Caracalla
, three of Elagabalus
, and two of Severus Alexander. The new discovery narrows the date of the battle down to between 230 AD and 235 AD.
Northeim (district)
Northeim is a district in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is bounded by the districts of Holzminden, Hildesheim, Goslar, Osterode and Göttingen, and the state of Hesse .-History:...
, in Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony is a German state situated in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the sixteen states of Germany...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It is situated approximately 10 km north of Northeim
Northeim
Northeim is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, seat of the district of Northeim, with, as of 2002, a population of 31 000. It's located on the German Half-Timbered House Road.-History:...
. It comprises the villages of Dögerode, Eboldshausen, Echte
Echte
Echte is a village in the Gemeinde Kalefeld in northern Germany with about 1,380 inhabitants.The earliest known archival reference to the community is in the Fuldaer Tradition 826, where it is referred to as Eti...
, Kalefeld, Oldenrode, Oldershausen, Sebexen,
Westerhof, Wiershausen, and Willershausen.
In 2008, a Roman battlefield was excavated near the town. Currently it is very probable that Roman legionaries won a battle for a blocked pass against local Germanic fighters.
Roman Battlefield of the early 3rd Century AD
In summer 2008 German archaeologists unearthed the remains of a battle fought in Magna Germania very probably between Roman legionaries and Germanic tribes. The archaeological find was originally made in 2000 by amateurs in a hilly pine-wooded region between HanoverHanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
and Kassel
Kassel
Kassel is a town located on the Fulda River in northern Hesse, Germany. It is the administrative seat of the Kassel Regierungsbezirk and the Kreis of the same name and has approximately 195,000 inhabitants.- History :...
who discovered metallic items using metal-detectors.
The archaeologists have now ascertained that a fierce battle now called the Battle at the Harzhorn
Battle at the Harzhorn
The Battle at the Harzhorn took place in the early 3rd century between Germanic and Roman troops near the Harzhorn hill between the towns of Kalefeld and Bad Gandersheim, in the state of Lower Saxony, Germany....
took place on the approach to a pass, involving archers and cavalry equipped with long-range catapults (Scorpio
Scorpio (dart-thrower)
The scorpio or scorpion was type of Roman artillery piece. Also known by the name of the triggerfish, it was described in detail by Vitruvius...
) capable of piercing shields at a distance of 300 metres (yards).
"The findings show that possibly 1,000 Romans were involved" in the battle, according to the leading archaeologist, Petra Lönne. "This is an unrivalled, well-preserved site," she added. Some 600 artefacts have so far been found, including spears, arrowheads, axes, armour plating, tent peg
Tent peg
A tent peg is a spike, usually with a hook or hole on the top end, typically made from wood, metal, plastic, or composite material, pushed or driven into the ground for holding a tent to the ground, either directly by attaching to the tent's material, or by connecting to ropes attached to the tent...
s, catapult bolts and coins.
One such coin depicts the Roman emperor Commodus
Commodus
Commodus , was Roman Emperor from 180 to 192. He also ruled as co-emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until his father's death in 180. His name changed throughout his reign; see changes of name for earlier and later forms. His accession as emperor was the first time a son had succeeded...
, who reigned from 180 to 192 AD (terminus post quem), while fragments of swords and carts suggest the battle took place in the first half of the third century AD
Contrary to the belief of the German media that the Romans completely retreated behind the river Rhine in the wake of the Teutoburg Forest massacre
Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest took place in 9 CE, when an alliance of Germanic tribes led by Arminius of the Cherusci ambushed and decisively destroyed three Roman legions, along with their auxiliaries, led by Publius Quinctilius Varus.Despite numerous successful campaigns and raids by the...
in which thousands of legionaries were slaughtered, historical records regularly reported about military operations as punitive raids east of the Rhine.
Such military operations are reported for the time of Caracalla
Caracalla
Caracalla , was Roman emperor from 198 to 217. The eldest son of Septimius Severus, he ruled jointly with his younger brother Geta until he murdered the latter in 211...
and Maximinus Thrax
Maximinus Thrax
Maximinus Thrax , also known as Maximinus I, was Roman Emperor from 235 to 238.Maximinus is described by several ancient sources, though none are contemporary except Herodian's Roman History. Maximinus was the first emperor never to set foot in Rome...
, the first Roman soldier-emperor who reigned briefly from 235 to 238, was personally involved in operations against the Germanic tribes.
In April 2009 the responsible archaeologists presented new found six silver denarii: one of Caracalla
Caracalla
Caracalla , was Roman emperor from 198 to 217. The eldest son of Septimius Severus, he ruled jointly with his younger brother Geta until he murdered the latter in 211...
, three of Elagabalus
Elagabalus
Elagabalus , also known as Heliogabalus, was Roman Emperor from 218 to 222. A member of the Severan Dynasty, he was Syrian on his mother's side, the son of Julia Soaemias and Sextus Varius Marcellus. Early in his youth he served as a priest of the god El-Gabal at his hometown, Emesa...
, and two of Severus Alexander. The new discovery narrows the date of the battle down to between 230 AD and 235 AD.