--- title: Publius Quinctilius Varus author: Marianne R. H. Fisher source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Publius_Quinctilius_Varus/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Publius Quinctilius Varus _Authored by [Marianne R. H. Fisher](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/mayfisher81/)_ Publius Quinctilius Varus (c. 46 BCE – 9 CE) was a [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) politician and general under the rule of Emperor [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/). He is most remembered for having lost three Roman legions when ambushed by Germanic tribes in the [battle of Teutoburg Forest](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1010/battle-of-teutoburg-forest/), which caused a great shock in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) and effectively stopped Roman expansion beyond the Rhine River. ### EARLY LIFE Publius Quinctilius Varus was born c. 46 BCE in an old [patrician](https://www.worldhistory.org/Patrician/) family. His father, Sextus Quinctilius Varus, was a republican. Sextus was a [quaestor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Quaestor/) in 49 BCE and defended the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Corfinium from the siege of [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/) during the civil [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) against [Pompey](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompey/). When [Julius](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Julius/) [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/) was assassinated, Sextus was at the battlefield of [Philippi](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philippi/) battling against Marc [Antony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mark_Antony/) and [Octavian](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/). As Marc Antony and Octavian defeated the last of the republicans, Sextus committed suicide. Publius Quinctilius Varus had none of his father's republican tendencies. He became a political friend of Augustus and was made questor in c. 21 BCE. Varus married Vipsania Marcella Agrippina, daughter of Marcus Vipsanius [Agrippa](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Agrippa/), the right-hand man of Emperor Augustus. He was made [consul](https://www.worldhistory.org/Consul/) in 13 BCE along with [Tiberius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tiberius/), the stepson of Augustus, who himself was married to one of Agrippa's daughters, Vipsania Agrippina. Later, Varus would marry Claudia Pulchra, Augustus' grandniece. Cassius Dio describes Varus as an incompetent military commander who was also naive and imperious. Velleius Paterculus assesses Varus as a quiet man who was slow and lazy. They viewed Varus as an administrator who advanced in his career from his close ties to Augustus. ### CAREER At the time of Varus' ascent of power in the Roman political world, the [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) was preoccupied with two main conflicts, the Pannonian revolt and Maroboduus, one of the most powerful Germanic tribe leaders. The imperial elite was also well aware of the potential for unrest in newly conquered provinces. A governor not only needed to be someone who had proven they were capable of successful military command but also competent in settling and organizing a new province. Varus was granted governorship of [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/), a very prestigious position as it was one of the provinces ruled by the Senate, as well as the only one with a legion when all other garrisoned provinces were ruled by the emperor. Varus ruled this part of the Roman world in 8-7 BCE, putting his name on the coins of the two [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/), Hadrumetum and Achulla. He was then reappointed as governor of [Syria](https://www.worldhistory.org/syria/), where he had the command of one-sixth of the [Roman army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Army/). In 7 BCE, Varus arrived in Syria. Syria was one of the most important provinces of the empire as the four Roman imperial legions in Syria were the ones guarding the eastern frontier against the Parthians. The British Museum has an ancient [coin](https://www.worldhistory.org/coinage/) with the inscriptions, “Imperator Caesar Augustus” round the head of the emperor and “Publius Quinctilius Varus,” with two eagles of the legion indicating the close ties between the two men. [ ![Bronze coin 6-4 BCE](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/4510.jpg?v=1599388204) Bronze coin 6-4 BCE Trustees of the British Museum (Copyright) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4510/bronze-coin-6-4-bce/ "Bronze coin 6-4 BCE")As the governor of Syria, Varus was also responsible for the peace in the vassal kingdoms, which included [Judaea](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/judaea/). [King Herod](https://www.worldhistory.org/Herod_the_Great/) of Judaea had been Rome's closest and most loyal ally. At the end of his reign, Herod accused his son, [Antipater](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Antipater/) – who was also his intended successor, of high treason. Varus supported the accusation, and Antipater was executed. Herod died three years later. In his will, he divided his kingdom among his three surviving sons – Herod [Archelaus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Archelaus/), Herod Antipas, and Philip. Herod Archelaus received the region of Judaea and Samaria, Herod Antipas was given Galilee and Perea, and Philip became the ruler of Gaulanitis. Soon there were riots in the areas ruled by Archelaus. Archelaus' troops were unable to cope and Varus had to intervene. The cities of Sepphoris and Emmaus were destroyed, and 2,000 people were crucified. Herod Archelaus' territories were pacified and his reign could begin. After this crisis, Varus returned to Rome. [ ![Coin Inscribed VAR(us)](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/4507.jpg?v=1703556006) Coin Inscribed VAR(us) Goethe-Universität Frankfurt (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4507/coin-inscribed-varus/ "Coin Inscribed VAR(us)")Varus entered Rome in the midst of a political change. Augustus had named his grandsons Gaius and Lucius as his successors. Tiberius had left Rome and lived in [Rhodes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rhodes/). However, Augustus' new scheme was unsuccessful as both grandsons died within the space of less than two years from each other. Due to this family tragedy, Tiberius was recalled from Rhodes and was named as one of Augustus' successors. After the recall of Tiberius, Varus was appointed as governor of Germania c. 6 CE. His appointment was celebrated with a gift of money to the soldiers with coins marked with the sign VAR. ### THE [BATTLE](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) OF TEUTOBURG FOREST Tiberius toured through Germania in the autumn of 4 and the summer of 5 CE as a show of strength, for the Germanic tribes to understand and fulfill their obligations as a part of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/). In 6 CE, he wanted to lead at least eight legions from the Middle Rhine and a unit against king Maroboduus of the Marcomanni in Boiohaemum (Bohemia). At the same time, the three legions from the Lower Rhine were to move against Boiohaemum as well, attacking it along the Elbe. Their commander was Gaius Sentius Saturninus. A third army group was to march along the Main. A [giant](https://www.worldhistory.org/Giants/) base was built near modern Marktbreit, where the army of the Middle Rhine would gather. However, nothing happened, because a rebellion in Pannonia obstructed the execution of Tiberius' plan and took three years to suppress. Varus replaced Saturninus and actively organized the conquered territories between the Rhine and the Elbe. He collected taxes, founded new settlements and administered justice when needed. In the summer of 9 CE, Tiberius had defeated the Pannonians and was undergoing preparations to resume the offensive towards Bohemia and the Elbe in 10 CE. For those Germanic leaders who wanted to get rid of the Romans, it was time to act. Varus was in his summer quarters on the Weser river when the news arrived of a growing revolt in the Rhine area to the West. He then decided to march with three legions (the XVII, XVIII and XIX) and make a detour through the rebellious area before returning to the Rhine. The only road led through a small strip of accessible land; to the south, there were the inaccessible hills of the Teutoburg forest, and marshes made progress to the north difficult. It was the perfect place to trap the heavy legionaries. The three legions, then, were in a position where their fighting strengths would be minimized. They were ambushed by Germanic tribes led by [Arminius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Arminius/) in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. Some Roman soldiers trying to flee were intercepted by the German tribesmen and killed. Some captured Romans were caged and burned alive while others were enslaved or ransomed. [Tacitus](https://www.worldhistory.org/tacitus/) and Florus report that the victorious Germanic tribes tortured and sacrificed captive soldiers to their gods. Modern archaeologists excavated a part of the battlefield, recovering many military objects and other objects attesting to the presence of civilians in the area at the time of the massacre. Varus, upon seeing that all hope was lost, committed suicide. [ ![Battle of Teutoburg Forest [Artist's Impression]](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/2255.png?v=1759147505) Battle of Teutoburg Forest \[Artist's Impression\] The Creative Assembly (Copyright) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2255/battle-of-teutoburg-forest-artists-impression/ "Battle of Teutoburg Forest [Artist's Impression]")After the battle, the Romans never conquered the Germans east of the Rhine despite the expeditions of [Germanicus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Germanicus/) in 15-16 CE, and a few later conflicts. So great was the shame, and the ill luck thought to be connected to the numbers of the lost legions in the Battle of Teutoburg Forest, that the numbers XVII, XVIII and XIX never re-appear in the Roman Army's order of battle. According to [Suetonius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Suetonius/), Augustus tore his clothes and refused to cut his hair for months upon hearing the news. For years afterwards, Augustus was heard, upon occasion, to moan, "Quinctilius Varus, give me back my Legions!" Arminius cut off Varus' head and sent it to Bohemia as a present to King Maroboduus to coax him into an alliance. Maroboduus declined the offer and sent Varus' remains to Rome. Despite his anger towards Varus over the total defeat at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest, Augustus buried Varus' head in the mausoleum of the imperial family. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [A description of Publius Quinctilius Varus.](http://www.varusdisaster.com/publius-quinctilius-varus.html "A description of Publius Quinctilius Varus."), accessed 1 Dec 2016. - [Publius Quinctilius Varus - Livius](http://www.livius.org/articles/person/quinctilius-varus/ "Publius Quinctilius Varus - Livius"), accessed 1 Dec 2016. - [Publius Quinctilius Varus | Roman general | Britannica.com](http://www.britannica.com/biography/Publius-Quinctilius-Varus "Publius Quinctilius Varus | Roman general | Britannica.com"), accessed 1 Dec 2016. - [The Ambush that Changed History](http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-ambush-that-changed-history-72636736/?no-ist "The Ambush that Changed History"), accessed 1 Dec 2016. - [Flavius Josephus. *The Jewish War.* Penguin Classics, 1984.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140444203/) - [Gibbon, E. *The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.* Penguin Classics, 2001.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140437649/) ## About the Author Marianne R. H. Fisher is the co-author of Time Maps: Matriarchy and the Goddess Culture and Time Maps: Gods, Kings and Prophets. Her work explores ancient history and myth through broad comparative perspectives. - [X/Twitter Profile](https://twitter.com/dominatempora) - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-rh-fisher) ## Timeline - **c. 46 BCE**: [Publius Quinctilius Varus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Publius_Quinctilius_Varus/) is born. - **c. 21 BCE**: Varus is made [quaestor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Quaestor/). - **6 CE**: [Publius Quinctilius Varus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Publius_Quinctilius_Varus/) is made governor of Germania. - **9 CE**: The Rhine River is established as the boundary between the Latin and German speaking worlds, following the defeat of the [Roman army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Army/), under the command of Varus, at the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of the Teutoburg Forest. ## Cite This Work ### APA Fisher, M. R. H. (2016, January 27). Publius Quinctilius Varus. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Publius\_Quinctilius\_Varus/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Publius_Quinctilius_Varus/) ### Chicago Fisher, Marianne R. H.. "Publius Quinctilius Varus." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 27, 2016. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Publius\_Quinctilius\_Varus/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Publius_Quinctilius_Varus/). ### MLA Fisher, Marianne R. H.. "Publius Quinctilius Varus." *World History Encyclopedia*, 27 Jan 2016, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Publius\_Quinctilius\_Varus/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Publius_Quinctilius_Varus/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Marianne R. H. Fisher](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/mayfisher81/ "User Page: Marianne R. H. Fisher"), published on 27 January 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). 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