Publius Quinctilius Varus ( 46 BC in Cremona , Roman Republic - AD 9 in Germania ) was a Roman politician and general under Emperor Augustus . He is mainly remembered for having lost three Roman legions and his own life when attacked by Germanic leader Arminius in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest . Publius Quinctilius Varus ( 46 BC in Cremona , Roman Republic - AD 9 in Germania ) was a Roman politician and general under Emperor Augustus , mainly remembered for having lost three Roman legions and his own life when attacked by Germanic leader Arminius in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest .