the beginnings of the occupation of germania by rome was in 15 bc. the foothills of the alps were conquered during the reign of augustus. this, together with the lands west of the rhine conquered by caesar became their foothold. the romans attempted to bring under roman rule the lands as far north as the river elbe. in 7 ad rome assumed germania was under roman rule when publius quinctilius varus became governor of roman occupied germania. since they were so powerful, the romans did not count on any resistance from the german tribes.