SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Pseudo-autonomous issue. AE (Bronze, 21 mm, 7.41 g, 12 h), P. Quinctillius Varus, legate of Syria, AE 25 = 7/6 BC. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ ΕΠΙ ΟΥΑΡΟΥ / ΕΚ The Tyche of Antioch seated to right on throne, holding two grain ears in her right hand; below, river-god Orontes swimming right. McAlee 85. RPC I 4242. An attractive example with a well readable name of Varus on the reverse. About 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 in the Roman might and in 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