Generals that personally killed enemy combatants

[john m roberts]

During the Republic, future commanders may well have engaged in hand-to-hand combat, even sought it out because scars were seen as a great mark of distinction in court and in politics (see the "wounds in front" thread). Also, some commanders sought that spolia opimia, though senior officers were not encouraged to engage personally with the enemy, since their job was to direct their men, not do a private's job.

Under the Principate, glory-hounding was likely to arouse the jealousy of the emperor, so most senior officers probably kept a low profile and were careful to give the Emperor all credit for their own efforts and accomplishments. An Emperor, of course, was free to pursue whatever glory he saw fit, and some did.