19th Century Charcoal Drawing Head of a Barbarian - Arminius

Head of a Barbarian. 19th Century, Charcoal on paper.

Likely depicting Arminius, General of the Germanic Cherusci tribe. Under his command at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in AD 9, he inflicted one of the most devastating defeats on the Romans with the destruction of three legions under the command of general Publius Quinctilius Varus.

Arminius had acquired Roman citizenship and had received a Roman military education, which enabled him to deceive the Roman commander methodically and anticipate the Roman army’s tactical responses.The outcome of this battle dissuaded the Romans from their ambition of conquering Germania, and is thus considered one of the most important events in European history.

Set within period gold and black mount frame. Signed.