Ancient Warfare II.6, Dec/Jan 2009{mos_fb_discuss:1}
Release December 10th.
Theme: Rome in Crisis - the third century AD
Introduction: Lukas de Blois, 'introduction to the theme'. The Source: Duncan B. Campbell, 'Coinage and cavalry.'
When Dios Roman history stops in AD 229, we are forced to rely on less trustworthy writers. And for the study of the third century crisis, the coin evidence is often pressed into service as a major source. But has it misled us over the question of Gallienus battle cavalry?  Theme: Christian Koepfer, 'Guarding the gates to Italy'. Illustrated by Johnny Shumate and Carlos de la Rocha.
The history of the Raetian limes is closely linked to the general history of the Roman province of Raetia. The province guarded the gates to Italy: The vital trade routes, especially the Via Claudia Augusta, were once built to allow trade between the northern provinces and the densely populated, wealthy north of Italy. A fact the Barbarians slowly became aware of
Theme: Ross Cowan, 'Forgotten heroes'.
Who were the military heroes of third century AD? The extent literary sources offer few clues: the Scaevas of the Severan and Crisis periods seem to have been forgotten. Or have they? When the literary sources fail us, the evidence of epigraphy comes to the rescue. Various inscriptions epitaphs, honorific texts, and religious dedications allow us to identify the otherwise forgotten heroes and battles of this tumultuous age. Theme: Glenn Barnett, 'Father and Son invade Iraq'. Illustrated by Graham Sumner.
The two George Bushes are not the first father and son leaders to invade Iraq. Long before the American Presidents became involved in that country the Roman Caesars had their turn in the region. Septimius Severus (193 211 AD) and Caracalla (211 217 AD) were father and son emperors who both invaded Iraq. Their experience foreshadowed todays events. Theme: David Michaels and Lorie Ann Hambly, 'Unsung savior of Rome'. Illustrated by Igor Dzis.
To a Roman emperor already beset by disaster, the news must have sounded like a death knell. In the summer of AD 260, a legionary courier reached the Emperor Publius Egnatius Gallienus at his army camp in southern Gaul with a stunning report: His father and co-ruler, the Emperor Valerian, had been taken prisoner by Shapur I, Great King of Sasanian Persia. Theme: Joshua Gilber, 'Restitutor Orbis'. Illustrated by Carlos de la Rocha.
Lucius Domitius Aurelianus, or as he is better known in English, Aurelian was Roman Emperor from AD 270-275, after serving as a cavalry commander of distinction under his predecessor. Despite the short length of his reign Aurelian turned the fortunes of the faltering Roman Empire around, restoring it to full territorial integrity.
Features The warrior: Will Stroock, 'Roman intelligence gathering in the East'. Illustrated by Johnny Shumate.
According to Beda Venerabilis (Bede), three Saxon ships landed on the Kentish island of Thanet in the year 449 AD. Led by the war chiefs Hengist and Horsa, the Saxons had come at the behest of the Vortigern, king of the Britons who was desperate for help against the savage Picts. The Saxons quickly defeated the Picts in Britain and drove them north of Hadrians Wall. They then revolted and sent word of their victories back to the continent and called on their cousins, the Angles and Jutes, to send reinforcements. Be a general: Murray Dahm, 'Paddlewheels and scythed chariots'. Illustrated by Andrew Brozyna.
The anonymous De Rebus Bellicis is a fourth century AD pamphlet which makes several suggestions for the reform of the Roman Empire. These reforms include several ideas for the reorganisation of the military as well as inventions which the author believes should be incorporated into Romes defences against the barbarians. These inventions include scythed chariots, an inflatable floating bridge and a warship operated by oxen. The author appended illustrations of the machines he was suggesting and copies of these have survived in the manuscripts. The work has been considered a curiosity only yet it is clear that the author was utterly sincere and serious in his suggestions, some of which are practical. Lets take a look at this treatise then and see what we can make of it. |
