Arminius

This weekend I was in a rather sleepy little town in Minnesota called New Ulm, which is famous (in certain circles) for having been sacked and burned by Little Crow during the Dakota War of 1862.

That, and Hermman the German.

"Hermann the German" is, of course, the modern nickname of the 1st century Cherusci chieftain Arminius, who in 9 AD destroyed three Roman legions during the Battle of Teutoberg Forest. (In later years, it was said the Emperor Augustus would walk his bedroom at night, cursing the legions' commander with "Varus, Varus, give me back my legions!") I was going to explain here why a statue of a 1st century Germanic hero wound up in central Minnesota, but why bother, since the official Historical Marker sums it up so nicely:



(click here for a larger pic)

You can see the thing for miles off. Look at the people standing below the statue, and on the stairwell, for a proper sense of scale.


I rather like the four bronze lions crouching at the base.


And it goes without saying that the view from the top is quite splendid. It's only $1.25 for admission, though you do have to sign a little waiver promising not to sue the City of New Ulm if you happen to fall off. (Given that the primary recreational activity in New Ulm appears to be drinking, I can see how that would be a prudent measure.)


It's quite a nifty sight. If you're ever in central Minnesota, stop by and see it.

-JM