Help Create the Film of Varus' Lost Legions The loss of three entire legions under Publius Quinctilius Varus was one of the greatest military disasters in Roman history. Thinking he was marching to put down a minor insurrection, Varus advanced into the forests of northern Germany in September 9 AD and walked into a trap which resulted in the loss of up to 20,000 troops and meant that the Empire never again attempted to annex the lands east of the Rhine frontier. They called it the 'Clades Variana' - the Varus Disaster 'Clades Variana' is a web-based project to develop a screenplay which could bring this dramatic true story to the big screen.  The project is  based on the premise that accurate history is far more interesting than the Hollywood version and aims to produce an exciting and evocative script which is also well researched and detailed in its portrayal of the period. Use the buttons above to get the details on the background story, read the screenplay so far and to contribute feedback, ideas, corrections and historical information.

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'CLADES VARIANA' READERS' POLL

Which actor should play Arminius? Brad PittLeonardo Di CaprioRussell CroweJean Claude Van DammeOther (specify below)An unknown newcomer Current Results

Previous Poll Results

''Which actor should play Publius Quinctilius Varus?'
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'Which word best describes Arminius?'
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'Which is the best Roman History Film?'
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'Which was the worst Roman military disaster?'
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Friedrich Giesler on the appearance of the early Germanics: "The problem with weapons of western Germanic tribes of this period is that they have not yet adopted the (originally Celtic) custom of body burials with arms. So armour finds are of this period are usually from the Suebic (Elb) tribes. But they can perhaps be used as a parallel. There was an interesting exhibition at Hamburg (cataloque unfortunately in German) which shows a number of weapons from the Elbe region."  (08/12/02) [MORE] Join in a discussion - click here Leon on the status of the Cherusci as Roman allies: "Whether Arminius and his troops ever served on abroad is not quite clear. If the Cherusci had to provide "regular auxiliaries" service far from home would be probable - as a strategy to weaken a potential enemy (take the beginning of the Pannonian insurgence for example - forcibly recruited auxiliaries for the war against Maroboduus start a revolt). But a different kind of "national levy" might have served at home - to back Roman rule when the Empire had no other troops to spare (because of the war in Pannonia)."  (22/11/02) [MORE] Join in a discussion - click here

11/01/03 
New scene added - Arminius and Segestes

11/01/03 
New Readers' Poll added (above)

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Contents copyright © Tim O'Neill 2000-2003.
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Special thanks to Brian M. Scott, Iris Kammerer, Matt Carver, Matthew Amt and Sander van Dorst.