The longsword-wielding Cimbri had left their original lands around the Baltic sea in the Jutland peninsula and Southern Scandinavia for unknown reasons (possibly due to climate change), sometime around 120–115 BCE.

Journeying to the southeast, they were soon joined by their neighbors and possible relatives the Teutones.

Together they had defeated the Scordisci, along with the Boii, many of whom have apparently joined them.

They arrive in 113 BCE on the Danube, in Noricum, home to the Roman-allied Taurisci, who, unable to hold back these new, powerful invaders on their own, call on Rome for aid.

The Roman consul Gnaeus Papirius Carbo in 112 BCE leads the legions into Noricum, and after making an impressive show of force, takes up a strong defensive position on the heights near Aquileiaa nd demands that the Cimbri and their allies should leave the province immediately.

The Cimbri initially set about complying peacefully with Rome's demands, but soon discover that Carbo has laid an ambush against them.

Infuriated by this treachery, they attack and, at the Battle of Noreia, annihilate Carbo's army, almost killing Carbo in the process.

Carbo manages to escape with his life and the remnants of his army (though the Germanic tribesmen had erroneously thought and boasted that they had caught and slain their betrayer).

He is disgraced and impeached as consul by the senate, but is not exiled (such punishment was rare among the Romans according to Nate Rosenstein, in Imperatores Victi).

Italy is now open to invasion and Rome prepares for the worst, but instead the Cimbri and Teutones head west, towards Gaul.