Name Quinctilius Varus Children Quinctilius Varus Parents Sextus Quinctilius Varus | Spouse Claudia Pulchra Role Politician | |
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Died 9 AD, Teutoburg Forest, Augustdorf, Germany Similar People Arminius, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Marcus Junius Brutus th, Agrippina the Elder | ||
Grandparents Sextus Quinctilius Varus | ||
Quinctilius Varus
Publius Quinctilius Varus Minor (Minor Latin for the younger) also known as Publius Quinctilius Varus the Younger, Varus the Younger, Publius Quinctilius Varus filius and Quinctilius Varus was an Ancient Roman nobleman who lived in the 1st century.
Contents
- Quinctilius Varus
- Fin Bulgaria Publius Quinctilius Varus Bulgarritory Cover
- Family background
- Early life
- Victim of Treason Trials of Sejanus
- Possible survivor of the treason trials of Sejanus and possible later career
- Personal life and issue
- References
Fin Bulgaria - Publius Quinctilius Varus Bulgarritory Cover
Family background
Varus was a member of the gens, Quinctilia. He was the only child born to the Roman general and politician Publius Quinctilius Varus from his third wife Claudia Pulchra. Through his mother, Varus was a cousin to the future Roman empress Valeria Messalina. Claudia Pulchra was the sister of Messallina's father, the short-lived Marcus Valerius Messala Barbatus (died ca. AD 20). Messallina had no brothers, but did have a younger half-brother Faustus Cornelius Sulla. Varus the younger was a generation removed from the children of Messalina, Claudia Octavia and Britannicus.
Early life
Varus was born in Rome in the year 4 and was raised in the city. In late AD 6 or 7, his father was appointed to govern and organize the newly conquered Germania Inferior across the Rhine. But on September 9, due to his defeat at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest Varus the Elder committed suicide. After the death of his father, his mother never remarried and in 26, Pulchra died in exile as a victim of the treason trials of Sejanus. Varus became wealthy through his parent’s inheritance.
Victim of Treason Trials of Sejanus
In the year 27, Varus became another victim from the treason trials of the Palace Guardsman Sejanus. It is not known what Varus was charged with nor to what degree it was provoked. He may have been charged with treason or maiestas. His accusers were the celebrated orator Domitius Afer and his cousin Publius Cornelius Dolabella. The outcome of the case is unknown as there is no further mention in the sources, but the absence of his family from history makes it likely that he was later condemned or committed suicide.
Possible survivor of the treason trials of Sejanus and possible later career
A passage from the Seneca the Elder suggests that Varus may have been acquitted from his trial. According to Seneca the Elder, Varus had somewhat a successful legal career, despite Lucius Cestius Pius taunting Varus with his father’s defeat in the Teutoburg Forest.
Personal life and issue
Varus was betrothed to his maternal distant cousin Julia Livilla, one of the daughters of Agrippina the Elder and Germanicus, although they did not marry. Varus married a noblewoman called Plautia Laterana, by whom he had a daughter called Quinctilia.