02-05-2006, 04:01 PM
Here you go, found it at last, and it wasn't Caesar's civil war, it was at Munda as described in the Spanish war (45 BC) :
"When it was observed that our men were giving more ground than was usual, two centurions from Legio V crossed the river [Salsum] and restored the battle line. As they drove the superior numbers back displaying exceptional courage ... one of them succumbed to a heavy volley of missiles discharged from the higher ground. His fellow centurion now began an unequal battle, and when he found himself completely surrounded he retreated but lost his footing. As the brave centurion fell many of the enemy rushed forward to strip him of his decorations ('Caesar', Spanish War, 23)."
That was from Roman Legionary 58 BC - AD 69, by Ross Cowan. It may well be that a different translation could lead to a different conclusion, in which case I'll eat my hat.
From the same book is this from Tacitus, Histories, 2.89, describing the triumphal march of the victorious Vitellians into Rome:
"Before the eagles marched the camp prefects, tribunes and chief centurions dressed in white. The other centurions, with polished arms and decorations gleaming, marched with the centuries. The ordinary soldier's phalerae and torques were likewise bright and shining."
In Head-Hunters and Drinkers of Blood (article for Milistary Illustrated, April 2005) he also talks of Ammianus Marcellinus' description of how, while under siege in Amada in the 4th C AD, the tribunes were unable to stop the centurions and men from repeatedly sortying out through the gates to take the fight to the Persians, which the tribunes had to agree to after they were threatened with being killed by the men.
I just can't see a picture of a legionary, et al, being timid and hoping not to be noticed in battle. Quite the opposite is the image I get.
And here's a link to a very informative review of Soldiers and Ghosts. Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2006.02.14
"When it was observed that our men were giving more ground than was usual, two centurions from Legio V crossed the river [Salsum] and restored the battle line. As they drove the superior numbers back displaying exceptional courage ... one of them succumbed to a heavy volley of missiles discharged from the higher ground. His fellow centurion now began an unequal battle, and when he found himself completely surrounded he retreated but lost his footing. As the brave centurion fell many of the enemy rushed forward to strip him of his decorations ('Caesar', Spanish War, 23)."
That was from Roman Legionary 58 BC - AD 69, by Ross Cowan. It may well be that a different translation could lead to a different conclusion, in which case I'll eat my hat.
From the same book is this from Tacitus, Histories, 2.89, describing the triumphal march of the victorious Vitellians into Rome:
"Before the eagles marched the camp prefects, tribunes and chief centurions dressed in white. The other centurions, with polished arms and decorations gleaming, marched with the centuries. The ordinary soldier's phalerae and torques were likewise bright and shining."
In Head-Hunters and Drinkers of Blood (article for Milistary Illustrated, April 2005) he also talks of Ammianus Marcellinus' description of how, while under siege in Amada in the 4th C AD, the tribunes were unable to stop the centurions and men from repeatedly sortying out through the gates to take the fight to the Persians, which the tribunes had to agree to after they were threatened with being killed by the men.
I just can't see a picture of a legionary, et al, being timid and hoping not to be noticed in battle. Quite the opposite is the image I get.
And here's a link to a very informative review of Soldiers and Ghosts. Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2006.02.14
TARBICvS/Jim Bowers
A A A DESEDO DESEDO!
A A A DESEDO DESEDO!
