1000 Classical Characters Briefly Described

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Varus

A cognomen in many Roman gentes, signified a person who had his legs bent inwards.

Varus, Quintilius. A consul in B. c. 13 who was subsequently appointed governor of Syria, where he amassed enormous wealth. Afterwards he was made governor of Germany, but was defeated by the Germans under Arminius in a three-days' battle, in which the Roman legions were entirely annihilated.

Varus himself committed suicide. The emperor, Augustus, who was old and infirm, gave way to the most violent grief, tearing his clothes and crying out : "Varus, Varus, give me back my legions."

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