12-05-2004, 06:54 PM
Augustus did attempt to raise troops in a hurry after the news hit Rome of the loss of three legions in Germania - but he had a real hard time finding willing recruits and had to resort to a draft. He also instituted draconian punishments for those who attempted to avoid the draft - up to and including the death penalty. One case is cited in which he ordered the execution of a father (an eques!) who cut the thumbs off the hands of his two sons to keep them out of the army. Many of the troops that were raised were organized into independent cohorts. This is a strong indication that they could not get enough to join to allow being organized as legions. Besides, Italy's best were not being included in these units. The Roman military (i.e. legionary service) was becoming a last resort occupation. Keppie mentions this factor in his book "The Making of the Roman Army" - Tiberius in 23 AD ceased to recruit for the legions from Italy because "only the vagabond and destitute had been coming forward." (Tacitus, "Annals" iv.4)<br>
Another factor was that the Varus disaster occurred on the heels of a very difficult three year campaign to subdue the rebellious Illyrians. That rebellion in 6 AD put an end to any plans to subdue the Marcomanni/Suebian tribes who had resettled in Bohemia. Tiberius had command of 12 legions gathered for the invasion of the Bohemian region, and I believe the legions further north (possibly including Legions XVII, XVIII, and XIX) were intended to push southward and catch the Marcomanni in a pincer.<br>
The Illyrians rebelled just as Tiberius was ready to launch his campaign. The Illyrians were tough fighters, many of whom had served as auxiliaries, and thus had a grasp of Roman weaknesses. Tiberius had to turn his army around and wage a brutal, long campaign - remember it took 3 years - to subdue and stamp out the rebellion. I believe that historians consider that Arminius may have served as an auxiliary commander during those rough years and seen for himself that the Roman army was not invincible.<br>
By this time, and with the addition of the loss of three legions in the dark forests of Germany, service on those northern frontiers was not attractive to many in Italy (see above)!<br>
In a sense, one can say that the "well" for the legions and service outside Italy had run dry in Italy. Manpower needs for the legions would increasingly be met from peoples outside Italy and one does see that process continue.<br>
The legions, which Tiberius had gathered for his Marcomannic campaign were redistributed, with more of them going to the Rhine, even though some had not originally been serving there. Thus a redistribution of the existing legionary force occurred, rather than a build up by replacing the lost three.<br>
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Marcus Quintius Clavus/Quinton <p></p><i></i>
Another factor was that the Varus disaster occurred on the heels of a very difficult three year campaign to subdue the rebellious Illyrians. That rebellion in 6 AD put an end to any plans to subdue the Marcomanni/Suebian tribes who had resettled in Bohemia. Tiberius had command of 12 legions gathered for the invasion of the Bohemian region, and I believe the legions further north (possibly including Legions XVII, XVIII, and XIX) were intended to push southward and catch the Marcomanni in a pincer.<br>
The Illyrians rebelled just as Tiberius was ready to launch his campaign. The Illyrians were tough fighters, many of whom had served as auxiliaries, and thus had a grasp of Roman weaknesses. Tiberius had to turn his army around and wage a brutal, long campaign - remember it took 3 years - to subdue and stamp out the rebellion. I believe that historians consider that Arminius may have served as an auxiliary commander during those rough years and seen for himself that the Roman army was not invincible.<br>
By this time, and with the addition of the loss of three legions in the dark forests of Germany, service on those northern frontiers was not attractive to many in Italy (see above)!<br>
In a sense, one can say that the "well" for the legions and service outside Italy had run dry in Italy. Manpower needs for the legions would increasingly be met from peoples outside Italy and one does see that process continue.<br>
The legions, which Tiberius had gathered for his Marcomannic campaign were redistributed, with more of them going to the Rhine, even though some had not originally been serving there. Thus a redistribution of the existing legionary force occurred, rather than a build up by replacing the lost three.<br>
<br>
Marcus Quintius Clavus/Quinton <p></p><i></i>
Quinton Johansen
Marcus Quintius Clavus, Optio Secundae Pili Prioris Legionis III Cyrenaicae
Marcus Quintius Clavus, Optio Secundae Pili Prioris Legionis III Cyrenaicae
