Limes Germanicus Never Overrun?

The Woman in that video aggravated me greatly with her pronunciation. It's pronounced "LEE-MAYS", not like the citrus fruit.

Anyways. Some of the problem could have been alleviated by the Romans not inviting Germans in to serve in the Legions, but much of it was due to military decay in the empire, and other groups pushing the germanic tribes westward.
 
Is there a way that the Limes could not be overrun? Or at the very least, not be overrun for 100-200 years after they were OTL? If so, how? Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH937WBhYGs

That may help.

That is a nice youtube documentary.

Answering your question:
Limes were useless against full-scale invasions of big Germanic armies or migrations of whole Germanic peoples. That was never their purpose.
The Limes were usefull only against small insignificant bands of Germanic raiders which was good enough.

So any big Germanic invasion could overrun the Limes any time.
 
Is there a way that the Limes could not be overrun? Or at the very least, not be overrun for 100-200 years after they were OTL? If so, how? Thanks.

Sure, with a different external policy especially regarding the Alemanns.

The question is, if the empire was able and willing to do so and why.
 
That is a nice youtube documentary.

Answering your question:
Limes were useless against full-scale invasions of big Germanic armies or migrations of whole Germanic peoples. That was never their purpose.
The Limes were usefull only against small insignificant bands of Germanic raiders which was good enough.

So any big Germanic invasion could overrun the Limes any time.

Oh I realize that. But what I was referring to was not having them completely overrun and abandoned.

Sure, with a different external policy especially regarding the Alemanns.

The question is, if the empire was able and willing to do so and why.
Able to, sure. Willing to-well maybe if they have a less severe third century crisis. Someone competent takes the throne in the late second or third century AD, and recognizes the changes in the Germanic "tribes" and their forming into confederations and the like, and realizes he needs to change Roman policy. That's how I see it anyhow.
 
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