CHERUSCI, a celebrated tribe of ancient Germany, whose country was bounded on the E. by the Albis or Elbe, and on the W. by the Visurgis or Weser. Their history up to the time of Caesar is comparatively obscure, but they seem to have been on the whole inclined to cultivate the friendship of the Roman people. In the time of Augustus, however, the cruelty and misgovernment of Varus, the Roman commander in these regions, drove the Cherusci into open rebellion. Under their leader Arminius they annihilated the army sent against them. This disaster preyed for years upon the mind of Augustus, who often started up at night out of his sleep exclaiming, "Quintilius Varus, restore me my legions." All subsequent attempts of the Romans to reduce them again to subjection completely failed. In the course of their repeated wars with their neighbours, however, the Cherusci gradually lost the power and influence they once enjoyed. In the fourth century the Cherusci once more appear in history as members of the Frankish confederation.