an ancient Celtic nation, inhabiting the northern parts of Germany. They are said to have been descended from the Asiatic Cimmerians, and to have taken the name of Cimbri when they changed their old habitations. When they first became remarkable, they inhabited chiefly the peninsula now called Jutland, and by the ancients Cimbrica Cheronesus. About 113 years before Christ, they left their peninsula with their wives and children; and joining the Tuetones, a neighbouring nation, took their journey southward in quest of a better country. They first fell upon the Boii, a Gaulish nation situated near the Hercynian forest. Here they were repulsed, and obliged to move nearer the Roman provinces. The republic being then alarmed at the approach of such multitudes of barbarians, sent an army against them under the consul Papirius Carbo. On the approach of the Roman army, the Cimbri made proposals of peace. The consul pretended to accept it; but having thrown them into a disadvantageous situation, treacherously attacked their camp. His perfidy was rewarded as it deserved; the Cimbri ran to arms, and not only repulsed the Romans, but, attacking them in their turn, utterly defeated them, and obliged the shattered remains of their forces to conceal themselves in the neighbouring forests. After this victory the Cimbri entered Transalpine Gaul, which they quickly filled with slaughter and desolation. Here they continued five or six years, when another Roman army under the consul Silanus marched against them. This general met with no better success than Carbo had done. His army was routed at the first onset; in consequence of which, all Narbonne Gaul was exposed at once to the ravages of these barbarians.

About 105 years before Christ, the Cimbri began to threaten the Roman empire itself with destruction. The Gauls marched from all parts with a design to join them, and to invade Italy. The Roman army was commanded by the proconsul Cæpio, and the consul Mallius; but as these two commanders could not agree, they were advised to separate, and divide their forces. This advice proved the ruin of the whole army. The Cimbri immediately fell upon a strong detachment of the consular army commanded by M. Aurelius Scaurus, which they cut off to a man, and made Scaurus himself prisoner. Mallius being greatly intimidated by this defeat, deferred a reconciliation with Cæpio, but was haughtily refused. He moved nearer the consul, however, with his army, that the enemy might not be defeated without his having a share in the action. The Cimbri, by this movement, imagining the commanders had made up their quarrel, sent ambassadors to Mallius with proposals of peace. As they could not help going through Cæpio's camp, he ordered them to be brought before him; but finding they were empowered to treat only with Mallius, he could scarce be restrained from putting them to death. His troops, however, forced him to confer with Mallius about the proposals sent by the barbarians; but as Cæpio went to the consul's tent against his will, so he opposed him in every thing; contradicted with great obstinacy, and insulted him in the grossest manner. The deputies on their return acquainted their countrymen that the misunderstanding between the Roman commanders still subsisted; upon which the Cimbri attacked the camp of Cæpio, and the Gauls that of Mallius. Both were forced, and the Romans slaughtered without mercy. Eighty thousand citizens and allies of Rome, with 40,000 servants and soldiers, perished on that fatal day. In short, of the two Roman armies only 10 men, with the two generals, escaped to carry the news of so dreadful a defeat. The conquerors destroyed all the spoil, pursuant to a vow they had made before the battle. The gold and silver they threw into the Rhone, drowned the horses they had taken, and put to death all the prisoners.

The Romans were thrown into the utmost consternation on the news of so terrible an overthrow. They saw themselves threatened with a deluge of Cimbri and Gauls, numerous enough to over-run the whole country. They did not, however, despair. A new army was raised with incredible expedition; no citizen whatever who was fit to bear arms being exempted. On this occasion also, fencing-masters were first introduced into the Roman camp; by which means the soldiers were soon rendered in a manner invincible. Marius, who was at that time in high reputation on account of his victories in Africa, was chosen commander, and waited for the Cimbri in Transalpine Gaul; but they had resolved to enter Italy by two different ways; the Cimbri over the eastern, and the Teutones and other allies over the western Alps. The Roman general therefore marched to oppose the latter, and defeated the Ambiones and Teutones with great slaughter*. The Cimbri, in the mean time, entered Italy, and struck the whole country with terror; but their soldiers were so intimidated by the fierce countenances and terrible appearance of these barbarians, that nothing could prevent their flying before them. The city of Rome was now totally defenceless;