GERMANY THE AGGRESSOR
X
The Alemans first came into conflict with the
Romans about A.D. 213, They attacked the frontier
of the Empire at its weakest point, namely, the Limes
Rhaeticus et Gennanicus which linked the Rhine and
the Danube. The details of half a century of war
are obscure, but by A.D. 260 the whole of the Agri
Decumates, as well as part of Rhaetia, had passed into
permanent Germanic occupation.
The absorption of the Romans in the defence of
Southern Gaul against the Alemans provided the
occasion for formidable incursions of the Franks into
3ie Northern province. The first attack was de-
livered in A.D. 253, and before many years had passed
the Franks had succeeded in establishing themselves
on the left bank of the Lower Rhine. They were
a difficult foe to deal with, for not only were they
foul fighters, but they were also infidels with whom
no binding agreements could be made. Says Gibbon,
*an inconstant spirit, a thirst for rapine, and a dis-
regard for the most solemn treaties disgraced the
character of the Franks/ Mr Sergeant makes the
same remarks concerning the ancient Germans gener-
ally: *A Roman general opposed to the country-
men of Hermann could never hold himself safe under
the terms of a truce.' * Bottomless treachery as well
as merciless ferocity marked all the race,
* L, Sergeant, The Franks, p. 47,
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