★ Publius Quinctilius Varus (Teutoberg Forest Loser) ★

Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Æ Trichalkon. Struck under P. Quinctillius Verus, Governor of Syria. Laureate head of Zeus right / Tyche seated right on rocky outcropping. 19 mm, 7.74 g.
Publius Quinctilius Varus was a Roman general and politician under Augustus. From 6 BC. until 4 BC. he governed Syria. Varus is most infamous for losing three Roman legions in an ambush by Germanic tribes led by Arminius in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, at which point he took his own life. Upon hearing the news, Augustus tore his clothes, refused to cut his hair for months and, for years afterward, was heard, upon occasion, to moan, "Quinctilius Varus, give me back my Legions!"