Explosive Revelations, Epic Battles & a Captivating Journey to the Heart of Rome: Barbarians Season 2 Unveils Arminius' Army and Uncovers Secrets

Summary

In its second season, Barbarians delves into the conflicts arising between the Romans and the Germanic tribes, as the mighty Roman Empire embarks on a comprehensive campaign to quell the uprising definitively.

Arminius forges an alliance with Marbod, the Macromanni tribe's leader. However, their conflicting opinions on how to handle the Romans escalate the tension between them.

As a result, Thusnelda and her son Thumelicus are captured and taken as prisoners to Rome, while Arminius's brother Flavus and son Gaius conspire against him, seeking revenge.

Expanding on the characters and heightening the tension between the Romans and the Germanic tribes, Barbarians season 2 builds upon the success of its first season. Available for streaming on Netflix, this fictionalized retelling of the Germanic tribes' rebellion, led by Arminius, during the Roman Empire's occupation of Germania, has solidified its position as an epic drama that skillfully blends history and myth. For nearly two decades, the Romans have suppressed the Germanic tribes in the region through oppressive taxation and expected tribute. Despite multiple attempts to form a unified Germanic alliance, the chieftains have been unable to overcome their internal conflicts and self-interests.

In Barbarians season 1, viewers are introduced to Arminius, a member of the Germanic Cherusci tribe, who was forcibly taken to Rome along with his younger brother Flavus. Eventually, both siblings become soldiers in the Roman Imperial army. Arminius is then sent back to Germania to maintain order. However, witnessing the atrocities committed in his homeland, he betrays Rome, rises to become the new chieftain of the Cherusci tribe, and leads a rebellion against the Romans. Season 1 concludes with Arminius and his army ambushing and triumphing over three Roman legions in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, setting the stage for an explosive season 2 of Barbarians.

Arminius Expands His Army To Fight The Romans

After suffering a humiliating defeat in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest and being stunned by Arminiu's betrayal, the Roman Empire launched a massive invasion, determined to crush the Germanic rebellion once and for all. As the enormous legions made their way towards a Roman camp, Arminius knew he had to eliminate the camp before they arrived. Despite having the support of his own tribe, Arminius struggled to unite the other Germanic tribes due to petty rivalries among chieftains and their mistrust of his motives.

Arminius reached out to Marbod, the leader of the Macromanni tribe, who commanded an army of around 70,000 warriors. Arminius believed that an alliance with Marbod was possible because they had both endured similar childhoods and fates. Like Arminius, Marbod had been kidnapped from his Germanic tribe and raised in Rome. However, Marbod revealed that he had been collaborating with the Romans, believing that appeasing them would benefit Germania more than fighting against them. The conflict between Marbod and Arminius highlighted their conflicting principles and differing opinions on how to handle the Roman Empire for the greater good of their respective people.

Thumelicus Is Not Actually Arminius' Son

Barbarians season 2 delves deeper into Arminius' bond with his childhood companions: Thusnelda (Jeanne Goursaud) and Folkwin (David Schütter). In the first season, Arminius and Thusnelda entered into a political union to unite their respective Germanic tribes and bolster their forces against Rome. However, despite Thusnelda's affection for Arminius, her love for Folkwin surpasses all. Surprisingly, the second season unveils that Folkwin is the true father of Thumelicus, the son of Arminius and Thusnelda.

Nevertheless, despite Folkwin's love for Thusnelda and the revelation of his biological connection to Thumelicus, he opts to suppress these emotions and facts. His devotion to Arminius and their shared cause takes precedence. Similarly, Arminius never ceased to love Folkwin. Even when Folkwin confesses to Arminius that Thumelicus is actually his own son and not Arminius', he continues to cherish Folkwin as he lies dying on the battlefield in the final episode. However, Arminius' discovery about Thumelicus not being his biological child shatters his perception of reality, leaving the future of his relationship with the boy uncertain in a potential third season.

Thusnelda and Thumelicus Are Taken To Rome

In the final moments of Barbarians season 2, Segestes, Thusnelda's father, betrays the Germanic tribes by divulging Arminius' plans to Tiberius, the Roman commander. Tiberius seizes Thumelicus, prompting Thusnelda to hastily pursue him, only to find herself captured as well. In a cruel twist, Tiberius orchestrates the murder of Thusnelda's parents before her eyes and subsequently takes her and Thumelicus as prisoners of war to Rome. Arminius, Folkwin, and the rest of the Germanic army remain unaware of these events, while the outcome of Thusnelda and her son's fate remains uncertain. Historical accounts provide some insight into their future, as they parallel the fictional portrayal in Barbarians. Notably, Thusnelda's father collaborated with the Romans and allowed her to be brought to Rome. In this grand display, Thusnelda and her son become symbolic representations of Roman triumph in Germania, paraded through the streets of Rome.

Flavus And Gaius Are Out To Get Their Revenge

In season 2 of Barbarians, Arminius faces opposition from his own family members, his brother Flavus and his son Gaius. When Arminius betrays the Roman Empire and returns to his Germanic tribe, his adopted father Publius Quinctilius Varus tragically takes his own life upon learning of his son's betrayal. This not only leaves Flavus without a father figure but also tarnishes his reputation. Due to his association with his brother, Flavus is accused of being a possible traitor himself. Determined to regain his honor and status, Flavus is driven to kill Arminius.

Similarly, Arminius' son Gaius, who was born and raised in Rome, harbors a deep resentment towards his father. Gaius holds Arminius responsible for abandoning him and bringing shame upon him. Consequently, Gaius deceives Arminius by pretending to side with him, but ultimately betrays him by leading both the Cherusci and the Macromanni into a deadly trap. This results in the death of numerous Germanic people, including Marbod's wife. The tragic event motivates Marbod to join Arminius in his fight against Rome. However, Gaius eventually reconciles with his father and genuinely aligns himself with the Cherusci, setting the stage for his future as a Germanic warrior in season 3 of Barbarians.