What happened to the Roman POWs captured at Teutoburg?

by TheyTukMyJub

Also, I read some were saved nearly 40 years later. Is this true? What did they say?

(Has anybody seen Varus? I want my legions back)

th3_rhin0

According to Tacitus, in his Annals, the survivors of the battle were kept as slaves by the Chatti, and were rescued by Publius Pomponius Secundus in a later campaign.

I am not able to corroborate his claim though, as i can't find any other reference to it. Cassius Dio and Marcus Vellius Paterculus both specifically mention that there were no survivors. It's important to note that Tacitus was writing a while after the events, but within living memory if those who would have first hand knowledge.

Sources: Tacitus Annals, Book XII

Marcus Vellius Paterculus, Roman History, Book II

Cassius Dio, Roman History, Book LVI

(I apologize for any formatting errors, I'm on my phone).