★ The general Varus ★

PHOENICIA. Berytus. Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Assarion (Bronze, 20 mm, 7.04 g, 1 h), P. Quinctilius Varus, legatus Augusti pro praetore, 6-4 BC. [I]MP CAE[SAR] AVGVSTV Bare head of Augustus to right. Rev. [P] QVINCTLL[VS] (sic!) [VRVS] Two aquilae between two legionary standards. BMC 55. Rouvier 493. RPC I 4535. Attractive earthen highlights. Minor pitting and struck slightly off center, otherwise, very fine.

The legate named on the reverse of this issue is none other than the infamous general Varus, who led an army of three legions and a large detachment of auxiliary troops into the disastrous Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD. Overconfident regarding his army's strength and the loyalty of his Germanic allies, Varus was completely taken by surprise by Arminius' ambush and eventually committed suicide with his officers after losing all of his 15-20,000 men in a fierce three-day fight.