Devotio

[Jona Lendering]

I wrote a little article on devotio, the ritual self-sacrifice of Roman generals. The obvious examples and the Greek parallels are all there, but I somehow have a feeling that there must be more stories. Anyone any suggestions?

[D B Campbell]

Ross Cowan has a chapter on devotio in his book, [amazon]For the Glory of Rome: A History of Warriors and Warfare[/amazon]. I'm afraid I don't have it to hand, though.

[Jona Lendering]

Thanks; I've ordered it.

[Epictetus]

Thanks for posting that. I enjoyed your article.

I believe that a later tradition held that Claudius Gothicus performed a devotio of sorts.

…another, following the example of the Decii, had sacrificed his life for the safety of the republic …

Ammianus Marcellinus, 16.10.3

This wasn’t a true devotio, but it was a rewriting of history by Constantine’s supporters. (Other sources say he died in a plague.) Constatine claimed kinship or some connection with Gothicus, I think. So this story was used as propaganda.

You can see a bit more of this story in this article with sources. I guess this story is in Victor too, but I don't have him handy.

[Jona Lendering]

Ammianus Marcellinus, 16.10.3

Thanks!

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

I remember one text about on single soldier running against all the enemy formation. I think it was refered by Josephus... :? Well, it's not a very helpful information, but seems another devotio.

[Jona Lendering]

I remember one text about on single soldier running against all the enemy formation.

Aristodemus in Herodotus 9.71?

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

Now i'm at home and can give you some citations:

The first devotio: P. Decio Mus (Livy, VIII, 9)

It was a familiar tradition ( :lol: ) because his son and the son of his son have do too devotio: (Livy, X, 28, 12-18; Pol. II, 19; Cicero, Tusc. I, 89)

Another devotio is in Livy V, 41: suicide of the roman magistrati against the gaul inveders of rome.

I try to search more citations...

[Hibernicus]

Wondering howmany reenactor generals are going to star demonstrating ....

Hibernicus