03-26-2006, 10:24 AM
Avete,
Most of us know that MA had no military experience, so that leaves me wondering what his personal function was being with the troops in the field for so many years. This question relates to both ostensive and real reason(s) for his presence on the frontier.
Earlier, while Rome was expanding further north beyond Hadian's Wall, MA's adoptive father, Antoninus, apparently never felt a need to visit the front. And he never had military experience. Both men shared the same deficit, but for some reason (or several) Marcus was compelled to be with the legions on the Danube.
I can guess what they were but would like to see what others come up with.
What was his official capacity at the front and what was (were) the underlying reason(s) for him being there ?
Most of us know that MA had no military experience, so that leaves me wondering what his personal function was being with the troops in the field for so many years. This question relates to both ostensive and real reason(s) for his presence on the frontier.
Earlier, while Rome was expanding further north beyond Hadian's Wall, MA's adoptive father, Antoninus, apparently never felt a need to visit the front. And he never had military experience. Both men shared the same deficit, but for some reason (or several) Marcus was compelled to be with the legions on the Danube.
I can guess what they were but would like to see what others come up with.
What was his official capacity at the front and what was (were) the underlying reason(s) for him being there ?
Jaime
