SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Pseudo-autonomous issue, Time of Augustus. Trichalkon (Bronze, 20 mm, 6.77 g, 12 h), P. Quinctillius Varus, legate of Syria, CY 25 (Actian Era) = 7/6 BC. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. [ΑΝΤΙ]ΟΧΕΩΝ ΕΠΙ ΟΥΑΡΟΥ / EK The Tyche of Antioch seated to right on rock, holding palm branch in her right hand; below, river-god Orontes swimming right. McAlee 85. RPC I 4242. Struck slightly off center, otherwise, nearly 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 regarding his army's strength and 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.