Roman Provincial | P. Quinctilius Varus | Antioch |AE19

Description: Antioch, Syria | Publius Quinctilius Varus for Augustus | AE19 Reference: RPC I 4242, BMC 57, McAlee 85 Date: 7-6 BCE Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus, right Reverse: ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ ΕΠΙ ΟΥΑΡΟΥ, ΕΚ in field (Year 25 of the Actian Era); Tyche of Antioch seated right on rocks, turreted, wearing chiton and peplos, palm frond in her right hand, half-length figure of river-god Orontes swimming right below, his head turned facing. Mint: Antioch, Syria Size: 18.9 mm Weight: 7.96 grams Before leading three Roman legions to the slaughter in Teutoberg Forest ( 9 CE), Publius Quinctilius Varus was the imperial legate and governor of Roman Syria. The scarce coin for sale here was struck during this period. Please note, this authentic ancient coin has been given artificial "desert patina.", which can be easily removed if desired. While legatus (7-4 BCE), Varus gained a reputation for harsh rule and excessive taxation. The Jewish-Roman historian Josephus notes Varus' swift intervention against a Jewish revolt in the wake of King Herod's death ( 4 BCE). Varus defeated the rebellion, occupied Jerusalem, and crucified 2,000 Jewish rebels. In 7 CE, Varus was given command of three legions and several thousand auxilliaries. He was tasked with solidifying the Roman conquest of Germany between the Rhine and Elbe which had begun years earlier by Drusus. Varus was famously betrayed by one of his auxilliary commanders, Arminius ( a native of the Cherusci), who convinced the general to march his army into a German ambush. Upon realizing the severity of the betrayal and the hopelessness of his situation, Varus committed suicide. Of the roughly 20,000 Roman soldiers who marched into Teutoberg Forest (modern Kalkriese, Germany) the Roman historian Tacitus only mentions a small resolute band managing to escape the slaughter. According to Tacitus, many Roman officers were sacrificed by the Germans as part of their indigenous religious ceremonies, cooked in pots and their bones used for rituals. The legion numbers XVII, XVIII and XIX were never again used by the Romans.The Teutoberg Forest disaster would go down in history as one of the worst military defeats ever inflicted on Rome, joining the solumn list of Cannae, Carrhae, and eventually Adrianople. The Roman emperor Augustus was absolutely distraught when he recieved the news of the disaster. The Roman historian Seutonius wrote: "...he [Augustus] was in such consternation at this event, that he let the hair of his head and beard grow for several months, and sometimes knocked his head against the door-post, crying out, "0, Quintilius Varus! give me back my legions!" And ever after he observed the anniversary of this calamity, as a day of sorrow and mourning." The Empire Strikes Back. While the Battle of Teutoberg Forest holds a firm grasp in the public imagination, the aftermath of the battle is rarely discussed. As it turns out, things didn't end well for Arminius, the Cherusci, or their German allies. Though the shock of losing roughly 10% of the Roman army in one event was enormous, the Romans immediately began a slow, systematic process of preparing for the reconquest of the country. In 14 CE, the Roman general, imperial heir, and son of the previously mentioned Drusus, Nero Claudius Drusus (soon to be called Germanicus) began a massive campaign of retaliation and retribution against the Germans. Over the next three years, the Romans would successfully campaign against Arminius and his confederacy. Germanicus visted the site of the Teutoberg disaster and buried the remains of Roman soldiers left in the open; recaptured two of the three lost legionary eagles; captured Arminius' pregnant wife Thusnelda; and soundly defeated Arminius at the Battle of Idistaviso and at the Angrivarian Wall in 16 CE. After fleeing across the Elbe with his influence and power in the decline, Arminius was eventually murdered by his own tribemen in 21 CE. With Roman honor avenged, Germanicus returned to Rome in triumph, but Roman ambitions to incorporate Germania between the Rhine and Elbe into the Empire were abandoned. Policies I apply the highest ethical standards in selling ancient coins. All coins are guaranteed to be genuine and any item found to be otherwise may be returned for a full refund. The most important thing is that you are happy with your new coin(s)! All coins are shipped in PVC-free, archival-grade coin flips and inserts made of acid-free paper Domestic (USA) shipping only If you purchase multiple items please message me before you pay and I will combine the shipping for you. I accept all returns within 30 calendar days upon receipt of the item. No explanation is required for the return, but it would be appreciated. Any item which has been altered from its original state may not be returned. Don't see what you're looking for? Just shoot me a message, I might have it but haven't gotten around to listing it!

Price: 99.99 USD

Location: Canton, Michigan

End Time: 2024-10-22T00:56:53.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5.5 USD