Subject: Varus Disaster (9AD)...

      2, 000 years ago, this year (9 AD), Rome suffered one of it's greatest military defeats at the hands of united German tribes under the leadership of Arminius, a former Roman auxiliary commander turned renegade.  The massacre of three Roman legions, six infantry cohorts and three cavalry squadrons were ambushed in the German wilderness - area known as the Teutoburger Wald (forest).  20% of the Roman army was lost in a three day running battle.  The Roman commander, Quinctullius Varus committed suicide rather than fall into German hands...

  The massacre has come down to us as the Clades Variana (The Varus Disaster).  I liken the event to "Rome's Vietnam" by the loss of life and the effect on foreign policy.  The shock to the emperor and the Roman people was profound and long lasting.  The disatater would forever curb Rome's expansion north of the Rhine...

  http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-6/1193336/Varus.jpg

  This is a Roman gravestone (stelae) depicting Marcus Caelius, an infantry captain (centurio primi ordinis)  in the 18th Legion.  He was killed in the Bello Variano (Varus War).  His slaves are depicted with him...

  Translation of the inscribed Latin text:

      "For Marcus Caelius, Titus’ son, from the constituency Lemonia, (born in) Bologna, captain (“centurio primi ordinis“) of the 18th legion, 53 ½ years old. He fell in the Varus Battle. The mortal remains (of his) freedmen may (also) be buried (here). (His) brother Publius Caelius, Titus’ son, from the constituency Lemonia, had (this memorial stone) erected (for him)."

  http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-6/1193336/VarusDisaster.jpg