The Family of Varus (Gens Quinctilia)

The family of Varus lived originally in Alba Longa in the Albanian Mountains. According to legend, his ancestors already were members of the retinue of Romulus. Many consuls and praetors were chosen from Varus’s family already at the time of the Roman Republic, and his forefathers continued to be influential in the Roman Empire later as well.

The name of their lineage (nomen gentile), Quinctilius, is a derivative of the former first name (praenomen) Quintus (the fifth). The nickname (cognomen) Varus was probably taken from the corresponding physical peculiarity of an earlier forefather and means the “hunched” or “stooped one”.

The Family Tree of Publius Quinctilius Varus

The Life of Publius Quinctilius Varus

47-46 BC 	Birth of Publius Quinctilius Varus.
22-21 BC 	Quaestor (treasurer) under Augustus.
21-19 BC 	Accompanied Augustus on journey to the Orient (sign of Augustus’s favor).
15 BC 	Legate with the rank of praetor in the Province of Asia (Western Turkey).
13 BC 	Consul together with the later emperor Tiberius; he directed the games in honor of Augustus upon the latter’s return from Gaul.
7-6 BC	Governor of the Province of Africa (Tunisia).
from 6-4 BC	Governor of the Province of Syria (including Palestine) as legatus Augusti pro praetore (legate of Augustus with the rank of praetor).
7-9 AD	Governor (legatus Augusti pro praetore) of the Gallic provinces, thereby also the commander-in-chief of the Rhine legions.
9. AD	Death of Varus in the battle in saltus Teutoburgeniensis.

After the defeat of his armies against the troops of Arminius, Varus “threw himself on his sword.”

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