The Battle of Teutoburg Forest, AD 9 by Brian Palmer. [Original Painting]

In AD 9, three Roman legions - 20,000 men plus camp followers - commanded by Governor Varus crossed the Rhine into what they believed to be friendly territory on their way to putting down a local uprising. A young chieftain of the Cherusci tribe, Arminius, had guaranteed them safe passage through his lands. However, Arminius who held a grudge against the Romans, deliberately deceived Varus and in a four-day running battle in the forest overwhelmed and slaughtered the Romans almost to a man. Varus, along with his surviving senior officers, took their own lives to avoid capture.

Original painting, oil on canvas by Brian Palmer.

Size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm)