effects on German tribes if larger Roman Empire

Basically what it says on in the title. What are the effects on the German tribes east of the Elbe river if the Roman Empire manages to conquer the lands between the Rhine and the Elbe?
 

Germaniac

Donor
It really depends on the style of government which takes hold. Its conceivable that the Romans get to the Elbe, but why? Everything the could gain from Germany was already found within the Empire. While Gaul was at least quasi urbanized Germany might as well be Siberia. The land is terrible for agriculture without The heavy plow and unless that advancement can be sped up several hundred years Germany is nearly worthless and the Rhine will seem a much better alternative to the Emperors who follow after the conquest.

With that in mind, you will see several forts and trading cities established and begin the framework of Roman order. After a generation locals will have had time to adjust and see the benefits of Rome just in time for a usurping general from the region pull his legions to seize the throne. Germany will be abandoned much like Britain. However with a rump roman-german state, even a weak one, the migrations will occur much differently.
 
It really depends on the style of government which takes hold. Its conceivable that the Romans get to the Elbe, but why? Everything the could gain from Germany was already found within the Empire. While Gaul was at least quasi urbanized Germany might as well be Siberia. The land is terrible for agriculture without The heavy plow and unless that advancement can be sped up several hundred years Germany is nearly worthless and the Rhine will seem a much better alternative to the Emperors who follow after the conquest.

With that in mind, you will see several forts and trading cities established and begin the framework of Roman order. After a generation locals will have had time to adjust and see the benefits of Rome just in time for a usurping general from the region pull his legions to seize the throne. Germany will be abandoned much like Britain. However with a rump roman-german state, even a weak one, the migrations will occur much differently.

Why is simple. Have Drusus and his children become emperors. They will see it as a personal family project almost. Both Drusus and Germanicus fought in Germania and had a vested interest in it. I assume Germanicus would fight there more if he became emperor and Caligula would probably also get some military experience there.

Also, you have to go back to Augustus' original reason for wanting the Elbe to be the border. In every direction, he was looking to make buffer zones for Italy. Hence why he subdued the alpine tribes, why he focused so heavily on bringing Roman control of the Balkans and Illyria, and why he invaded Germania.

Pre_Migration_Age_Germanic.png


Looking at the map, it seems the logical last place(To the Elbe) he needs to subdue to completely encircle Italy with buffer zones. Also, we shouldn't be asking why, because the Romans did attempt to. They only stopped because they suffered a crushing defeat at a time when their manpower was stretched to the maximum due to the Great Illyrian Revolt. That's what made Augustus decide it wasn't worth it. 3 legions is worth a lot when you just got done conscripting slaves into your army to solve your manpower problems. Dio pointed out that Augustus had no manpower left to draw on to replace the losses. That's why Ariminius launched his attack then and not before or after.
 
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