| “ | I already spoke with Reik Segimer. He agrees with me. Old wolves know... when the time has come to leave the pack. A man's true pride... lies in being able to choose his own end. | ” |
| — Varus to Arminius[src] | ||
Publius Quinctilius Varus is a supporting character on the Netflix original series Barbarians. He is portrayed by Gaetano Aronica.
Varus was the recently appointed governor for Germania.[1] His decision to revoke the previously sanctioned agreement between Rome and the tribes to waive them of having to pay tributes resulted in a rebellion orchestrated by his surrogate son, Arminius. Unaware of Ari's betrayal, Varus led the three legions of Rome into an ambush, where they were slaughtered by the allied tribes. Having lost the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, Varus took his own life by driving a sword through his chest.[2]
Early Life[]
Varus was a proud and dedicated Roman. Upon taking seize of Germania, he came to an agreement with Segimer and the surrounding tribes. Segimer gave both his sons, Arminius and Flavus, over to Varus, who raised them in the image of Rome.[3]
Throughout the Series[]
Season 1[]
Taking Over Germania[]
Varus welcomes Arminius to Germania. He is in need of his son’s strategy. Metellus joins them with a prisoner — Reik Gernot Redbeard. He refused to pay tribute. Varus gives him another chance to submit, but instead, Gernot spits on the standard. So Varus sentences him to death. Arminius explains that according to Germanic law, a man cannot sentence another man. However, Varus argues there is only the law of Rome before commanding Arminius to execute Gernot. Arminius takes the sword from Metellus and beheads Gernot.
Varus is enraged after learning that the eagle was taken. Metellus asks for 100 legionaries and promises the return of the standard. He intends to burn down each barbarian village until he finds it, but Varus fears that would cause a rebellion. So Arminius proposes that he go looking for the standard with the help of the Germanic mercenaries. Varus agrees and tells him to ride out at dawn.[1]
The Hunt for Folkwin[]
Varus learns from Segestes that Folkwin Wolfspeer is the sole perpetrator in the theft of the standard. So Varus asks for Segestes to take him to Cherusci. He warns Segestes that he will be crucified if he’s lying. Segestes informs Varus that the tribes are divided, but he believes that he can influence them in Rome’s interest, but only if he is reik. Varus replies that he didn’t come to Germania to help Segestes in his advancement.
Segestes arrives on horseback along with Varus and a large group of soldiers. Varus meets with Segimer and explains that he’s grateful for the sacrifice Segimer made when he gave up his children. He adds that Arminius is at his side as an officer. Varus then asks about the standard and Folkwin. But Segimer refuses to betray Folkwin and turn him over. Varus struggles to understand how a barbarian could have principals and remarks that it’s a shame Segimer never got to see his sons grow up.
Varus kills Folkwin’s entire family and crucifies them in front of the tribe. Varus explains the manner in which Rome punishes hubris. He demands that they bring him the standard and Folkwin. Only then will peace reign once more. And anyone who dares take down the crucified will be crucified themselves.
Arminius returns with the standard. Varus tells him that he is proud of him and that he has already sent a messenger to put Arminius’ name forward to the emperor for knighthood. But Arminius has one final task. He must bring them the head of Folkwin Wolfspeer.[3]
Raising Arminius[]
Flashback to years prior when Arminius and Flavus were first taken in by Rome. Varus taught the, how the wolf saved Romulus and Remus. However, Arminius was always told by his father that the wolf destroyed the world. Varus told him that a wolf can’t destroy the world. Only a Roman army can.[4]
Preparing Arminius to Lead the Cherusci[]
Varus and Pelagios inform Segimer that his tribute is non-negotiable. Segimer begs for leniency, to which they inform him that if he doesn’t have enough cattle or grain, he can provide them with slaves. However, Segimer refuses to allow the Cherusci to be enslaved. Segimer reminds Varus how he handed over his sons in exchange for peace, a deal that Varus has not upheld. Varus makes Segimer a proposition. He asks that Segimer make room for Arminius to become the new reik of the tribe. However, a son only succeeds his father when his father is no longer among the living, which means Segimer would have to die. Varus explains that Segimer owes it to Arminius. This is the only way Arminius will honor Segimer's memory.
Arminius returns with "Folkwin's" head. Varus is pleased. After ordering that Folkwin’s head be put on display, Varus informs Arminius that he isn’t going back to Rome. Instead, Varus intends for him to remain in Germania and lead the Cherusci. Arminius is displeased and replies that Cherusci already has a reik, but not for long, Varus reveals. And so Arminius races off to Cherusci to stop his father from taking his own life.
Varus enters Arminius' tent and inquires why Arminius is dressed like a barbarian. He explains that if he is to be the leader of the Cherusci, then he should at least look like them. Varus is pleased to learn that Arminius has warmed up to the idea.[5]
Meeting Thusnelda[]
Varus meets with Arminius is his new wife, Thusnelda. Quintus isn’t convinced that Arminius is a true son of Rome, looking at him as nothing more than another barbarian. But Varus insists that Arminius is true to the cause and it's his loyalty to the Roman Empire that Varus officially offers him knighthood. Varus fears a rebellion is afoot. They need to restore the priest, so he tells Arminius to bring him a son from every reik as a hostage.
Varus question the whereabouts of the hostages when he returns to camp weeks later. Arminius claims that the reik of Marsi refused to give his son up. This led the others to follow suit, the makings of a rebellion. Arminius proposes that the three legions take a detour on their way back to Vetera and teach the tribes a lesson. Varus agrees. Segestes suddenly arrives and demands an audience with the governor. Varus exits the tent and confront Segestes, who reveals that Arminius will betray Rome.[6]
The Battle of Teutoburg Forest[]
Segestes claims that Arminius is attempting to lead Rome into an ambush. Furthermore, he reveals that the rotting head isn’t the head of Folkwin Wolfspeer. Varus is in disbelief. Arminius denies Segestes’ outrageous accusations, reasoning that the warring tribes would never be able to take down three legions. Varus is relieved to hear none of these allegations are true and threatens to kill Segestes should he ever make such accusations again. With that said, Varus decides to move forward with Arminius’ plan to burn down Marsi. Varus then apologizes for ever doubting Arminius, even for a moment.
Varus, Arminius, and Quintus lead the three legions to Vetera. They part ways throughout the forest as planned. Varus sends Arminius and Talio ahead to secure the path. Varus then gets word that the vanguard has been attacked. Quintus believes that they were lured into a trap and that they should turn back. Varus agrees they should turn around, but he doesn’t believe that they were set up by Arminius. Varus and Quintus return to the legions in the open field. The Romans suddenly find themselves surrounded by the tribes, led by Arminius and Thusnelda. The field has been parted with an accelerant, which is then ignited, dividing the Roman legions, allowing them tribes to attack from all sides as they’re trapped within the flames.
Varus gets down from his horse and orders Pelagios to remove his armor. He then tells Pelagios that he’s a free man and that he should leave while he still can. Varus then picks a sword up off the ground and drives it through his chest as Arminius watches.[2]
Kill Count[]
- Himself — Varus was lured into Teutoburg Forest by Arminius, where he arranged an ambush after forming an alliance with the Germanic tribes, which ultimately resulted in the downfall of Rome. Realizing that he had lost, Varus took a sword and drove it through his chest as Ari watched.
Appearances[]
Season 1[]
Trivia[]
- Varus is a historical figure. As depicted in the series, he was a a Roman general who lost three Roman legions when ambushed by Germanic tribes led by Arminius in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.
Gallery[]
