These smaller tribes lived on the eastern bank of the lower Rhine and were renowned for their light cavalry. Julius Caesar made use of these warriors, but found their horses too small and had to remount them on Gallic horses. Ptolemy places the fortress of "Asciburgium" on the border between the territory of the Bructeri and Tencteri. This is a Latinisation of the Common Germanic "Askaburgaz" meaning 'fortress of the ash trees'. Tacitus tells us of the Germanic legend that Asciburgium had originally been founded by "Hercules", by which he probably means the Germanic god Thornaraz or Thor.

Close to the Chatti are the Usipi and the Tencteri. They dwell on the bank of the Rhine, which by this time flows in a well-defined channel and is large enough to serve as a boundary. The Tencteri, besides sharing in the general military distinction, excel in skilful horsemanship. The infantry of the Chatti are not more famous than the cavalry of the Tencteri. This tradition was started by their ancestors, whom they still continue to emulate. The children play at riding; the grown men compete in riding; even the old will not give it up. Horses pass by inheritance along with slaves, homestead, and rights of succession. The horses go to a son, not necessarily, like the rest ofthe property, to the eldest, but to the one who is the keenest and ablest soldier.

Next to the Tencteri came the Bructeri in former times; but now the Chamavi and Angrivarii are said to have moved into their territory. The Bructeri were defeated and almost annihilated by a coalition of neighbouring tribes. Perhaps they were hated for their domineering pride; or it may have been the lure of booty, or some special favour accorded us by the gods. We were even permitted to witness the battle. More than 60,ooo were killed, not by Roman swords or javelins, but - more splendid still - as a spectacle before our delighted eyes.

Tacitus, Germania, Ch 32-33

Avitus, having written to Curtilius Mancia , commander of the Upper army, asking him to cross the Rhine and display his troops in the enemy's rear, himself led his legions into the territory of the Tencteri, and threatened them with extermination unless they dissociated themselves from the cause.

When upon this the Tencteri stood aloof, the Bructeri were cowed by a like terror. And so, as the rest too were for averting perils which did not concern them, the Ampsivarian tribe in its isolation retreated to the Usipii and Tubantes . Driven out of these countries, they sought refuge with the Chatti and then with the Cherusci , and after long wanderings, as destitute outcasts, received now as friends now as foes, their entire youth were slain in a strange land, and all who could not fight, were apportioned as booty.

Tacitus, The Annals, Bk XIII, Ch 56

Julius Caesar also discusses his lightning campaign against the Tencteri and Usipi/Usipetes in Chapter IV of The Gallic War.