Drusus, while his brother Tiberius was engaged in Pannonia, made a
campaign against the Germans near the Rhine. He had nearly finished
the conquest of Germany from the Rhine to the Elbe, when he died (9,
B.C.), and was succeeded by his brother Tiberius, who completed his
work.

Drusus received the cognomen of Germanicus for his conquests in
Germany. His wife was Antonia, daughter of Mark Antony, by whom he had
two sons, Germanicus and Claudius, the latter of whom was afterwards
Emperor.

In 7 A.D. Lucius Varus was appointed governor of the newly acquired
territory in Germany. When he endeavored to subject these recently
conquered peoples to the forms of the Roman provincial government,
they rose in rebellion under the lead of Arminius (Herman), a powerful
chief.

Varus was allured from his fortified camp (9 A.D.) into a pass in the
Teutoberger Forests, where he was suddenly attacked on all sides.
After three days' fighting, he succeeded with great loss in making his
way through the pass into the open plain, but was there met by the
enemy in full force, and his troops were annihilated. In despair Varus
killed himself. Germany was practically lost and the Rhine became
again the Roman frontier. This defeat caused a great stir at Rome, and
the Emperor is said to have exclaimed in his sorrow, "Varus, Varus,
give me back my legions!"

Five years later (14 A.D.) Augustus died. In his last moments he
asked his friends if he had not played well his part in the comedy of
life.