What are the Cimbri?

[cmacq]

I believe that the Cimbri's latter or 2nd exodus (not the 1st which occured in the 2nd century BC and ended in defeat) and employment with the Romans was most likely similar to that of the Jutes among the Frisians and early Danes. Herein the Fight at Finnsburg Fragment and Beowulf's Finnsburg stories may prove instructive.

The Fight at Finn's Town
There was sound and song, made as one, before the Half-Dane thanes, with harp strummed, a story often passed, to occupy the court, as Spear-Fame's seer, faced mead-benches, and recited thus.

When Finn’s heir, was seized by fear, and the Half-Dane hero, the Shield-ling Hnaef, whereupon a Frisian battle-field, were both fated to be killed. Not in truth did Hideburh, need to praise the Jutes good-will, she so-honored without guilt, yet deprived of those beloved, by war-play her son and borther, their lot to fall spear-wounded, whereby she became, the grieving wife. Not without good-reason, did Hoc’s daughter, bemoan Fate’s decree, when morning came, she thereafter, could clearly see great slaughter, where just-before was held, a joyous world. However now the fullmoon, wanders through cloudy-skies, thus evil should be felt among this gathered folk, for bitter deeds would soon be delt. This place burns not cried out a king, one new to war, it’s not the dawn, here no dragons fly, nor do the pitched-roofs of these halls burn, yet we hear the war bird’s song, grey wolves howl, and spears rattle as shafts on shields resound. Battle swept Finn's thanes near all away, but only few was he able, to gather for a final-fight, with the prince's retainer, the Stallion, nor had the dead, been pulled from sight. So to them, a truce was offered, to make ready another house, for hall and throne, and there allow the men of Stallion, to once again half-share, the payment due the sons of Jute. Therefore Folk-Leader's son honored the Danes, the next day just the same, as Stallion's troops, by giving rings, as likewise the Frisians were treated, in the Beer-Hall that was built. Here was sworn both sides, a firm cessation; by Finn and Stallion with boundless zeal, declared as oath, to those wretched few, an agreement upheld with honor, that no man by word or deed, would break by way of folly, or deceit. Although the killer of their ring-giver complied, they were leaderless, so-whether one forgot what had happened, that if any Frisian, spoke rashly of revenge, they thereafter, would be reminded, by the sword's cruel edge. With this resolution a pyre was prepared, and Ing’s gold image was brought from hoard, and Fighting-Shield's best warriors, were made ready, for the fire. As keen to be upon the pyre, in bloodstained battle-shirts, all golden swine these iron-hardened boars, that many wounds took away; these great ones, noblemen felled duly-slain. By Hildeburh's order on Hnæfe's pyre, her son she commited to the fire, at his uncle's shoulder a body laid, to be devoured by the flames. This Lady mourns with dirge laments these warriors rise: then curl as smoke to the clouds, as the great blaze roars over this wooden heap; heads melt, wounds bust forth, then blood springs, from this loathsome bite. Fire consumed all with spirit most eager, both kin that war had swept away; and with this in turn her good-fortune, would soon be gone.