Germania's Imperial history began with Augustus' decree in January 761(8) of first carving the province of Germania out of Gallic Belgica, and then bringing the Germans beyond the Rhenus under Rome's sphere. C. Lorentus, a general advertised by Carico who had proven himself an adept commander in the east was chosen above the other promising leaders to establish Roman control on the eastern shores of the Rhine. In the coming spring, commanding legions XVII-XIX, Lorentus enlisted the aid of the pro-Roman chiefs of Segestes and Arminius (among others) to draw the Germanic tribes into Roman alignment. Arminius was described by Lorentus as being an incessant flatterer while Segestes was a cynical and grudging old man, just like Lorentus and just the kind of man he respected. In early March 761