September AD 9
The lost legions of Varus

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Quintilius Varus, commander of the Roman legions on the Rhine, is ambushed in the Teutoburg Forest while moving his troops to winter quarters. All three legions – one-ninth of Rome's armies – are annihilated, and although Tiberius moves quickly to prevent any general uprising or invasion by German tribes, the emperor Augustus is inconsolable. He is reported to be in grief for months afterwards, letting his hair and beard grow and neglecting his appearance. Every so often cries of 'Varus, Varus, give me back my legions!' can be heard coming from his quarters.

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