Xaestäjät

Xaestäjät, also known as the Xaestians, were a group of ancient Germanic tribes who inhabited the region of Xaestia in modern-day Germany. Their name is derived from the Latin word "Xaestia," which means "the land of the Xaestians." The Xaestians are first mentioned in the works of the Roman historian Tacitus, who described them as a tribe that lived in the area between the Weser and the Elbe rivers.

The Xaestians were part of the broader Germanic confederation known as the Chatti. They were known for their military prowess and their role in the Chatti Wars, a series of conflicts between the Chatti and the Roman Empire in the 1st century AD. The Xaestians played a significant role in these wars, with their leader, Arminius, leading a coalition of Germanic tribes to a decisive victory over the Roman legions at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD.

After the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, the Xaestians, along with the other Germanic tribes, were incorporated into the Roman Empire as allies. They were granted Roman citizenship and were settled in various parts of the empire, including Germania Inferior and Germania Superior. The Xaestians continued to play a role in the Roman military and administration, serving as auxiliaries and providing support to the Roman legions.

The Xaestians' legacy is primarily remembered through their role in the Chatti Wars and their eventual integration into the Roman Empire. Their name and history are often intertwined with that of the Chatti, and they are remembered as a significant part of the broader Germanic tribes that interacted with the Roman Empire.