05-13-2010, 06:44 AM
Salvete!
As some of you may know, after lots of thinking and considering I finnally decided to write a novel set during the time of Trajan's First Dacian War (101-102 C.E.). At the moment I am gatheirng as many sources as possible and attemtping to make the most of them as I want this book to be as historically accurate as possible.
What poses a slight problem for me is that I can't find many sources which give me a detailed picture of the war, save the column itself. My only problem with the column is that it was primarily a piece of propaganda and though it may give us a good idea of what the war would have been like, I don't just want solely rely upon the column for my evidence.
One of the only primary sources which I have found that mention Trajan's Dacian Wars is Cassius Dio's "Roman History" (Book LXVIII). Other historians such as Tacitus and Suetonius seem not to be concerned about more (at the time) contemporary emperors such as Trajan.
My interpretation of the war goes as follows:
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I) Traianus succeed's the Emperor Nerva in 98 C.E. whilst he is in Lower Germany. He finnally reaches Rome in 100 C.E.
The Emperor is in the knowledge that the Dacian King Decebalus is posing a threat to Rome. He had been re-fortifying Dacia and raising new armies.
II) Traianus and his generals begin to plan the campaign against Decebalus and raise two new legions, the II Traiana (cognomen “fortis” following the Dacian wars) and Legio XXX Ulpia (cognomen “Victrix” achieved after the Dacian war). (Unfortunately, I do not know where exactly were raised (I presume Italy, though I could be completely wrong). Then, the XXX Ulpia (the legion I want to follow in my novel) was then stationed in Brigetio (Pannonia Superior), though another article says they were immediately stationed in Dacia).
III) In spring 101 C.E. Traianus marches north with eleven legions ( http://www.unrv.com/five-good-emperors/dacian-wars.php ). When the legions reached the Danube they began a huge road-building program (devised by Apollodorus of Damascus) and move into Dacia through Viminacium via two pontoon bridges.
(I have read that Trajan may have split his army at this time and that XXX Ulpia would have been part of the army beginning their operations in Moesia Superior ( http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/content/view/25/114/ ) ).
IV) The Dacians do not immediately attack the Romans, they withdraw and rally under Decebalus between the Iron Gate. Traianus and his generals plan to push through the Iron Gate and move straight to the Dacian capital, Sarmizegethusa. The army makes slow progress, picking its way through the forests and deep, narrow mountain passes of Dacia, however, the engineers clear the way soon enough and the army marches to the Iron Gate.
V) The Second Battle of Tapae (101 C.E.). The battle took place duing a storm? (indicated by a figure of Jupiter hurling lighting bolts?). The Dacians attack form the high-ground but Roman auxiliary forces manage to push the Dacians back. The Dacians retreat towards the Carpathian Mountains. The Romans continue their advance, torching Dacian settlements and villages. Traianus is impressed by Decebalus’ defenses (Note the image on Trajan’s column where the emperor inspects a Dacian fortress. Within the walls are impaled heads and captures Roman battle standards).
Traianus, instead of continuing the advance and marching to Sarmizegethusa, decides to pull back to winter quarters at the Danube.
VI) Whilst the Romans re-supply for the next campaigning season the Dacians carry out an un-suspected counter-attack on an auxiliary fortress on the Danube and besiege the defenders. Word reaches Traianus and an army is sent to relieve the fort. Roman cavalry push back the Dacian army (who have Sarmatian cavalry). The auxiliary infantry fight with the Dacians once more, surrounding the baggage train and butchering the defenders. Then the legionaries finally go into battle and finish the Dacians off.
The Dacians retreat in disarray, forced to leave their dead on the field. High-ranking prisoners are captured by the Romans. Trajan hands out decorations following the victory. Though the Romans have victory the war is not over.
VII) Roman prisoners that have been taken by the Dacians are tortuered by Dacian women (this can be seen on the column. I am intending to include this event in my novel.)
VIII) Spring comes yet again and Traianus marches into Dacia. The army is split into two columns. Column ‘A’ will (perhaps) reach the Dacian capital by marching through the Teregova Keys Pass and the Iron Gate, and Column ‘B’ will march through the Vulcan pass.
IX) The Romans siege Sarmizegethusa, cutting off the food and water supply and build a ramp up to the walls. The Romans then storm the place and destroy the Dacian forces. Some refugees escape the town. Decebalus stands proudly and is forced to make peace with the Romans after being humbled by Traianus.
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This is just my interpretation and I realise that it could be very, very wrong. I do not have many sources to refer to save the column itself. There are a few other problems also.
I can't find any pages with archaeological evidence concerning the XXX Ulpia during the time of Trajan, so I don't know where they were posted. I do not know which route they took to Sarmizegethusa. I do not know who their legate was, or the general of their army group. I want to make this as accurate as possible and do not wish to go astray from what the evidence suggests, though it is limited. Does anyone know any way in which I can find these sort of things out? I've been searching everywhere. Help would be MUCH appreciated.
Grazie,
Lorenzo.
As some of you may know, after lots of thinking and considering I finnally decided to write a novel set during the time of Trajan's First Dacian War (101-102 C.E.). At the moment I am gatheirng as many sources as possible and attemtping to make the most of them as I want this book to be as historically accurate as possible.
What poses a slight problem for me is that I can't find many sources which give me a detailed picture of the war, save the column itself. My only problem with the column is that it was primarily a piece of propaganda and though it may give us a good idea of what the war would have been like, I don't just want solely rely upon the column for my evidence.
One of the only primary sources which I have found that mention Trajan's Dacian Wars is Cassius Dio's "Roman History" (Book LXVIII). Other historians such as Tacitus and Suetonius seem not to be concerned about more (at the time) contemporary emperors such as Trajan.
My interpretation of the war goes as follows:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I) Traianus succeed's the Emperor Nerva in 98 C.E. whilst he is in Lower Germany. He finnally reaches Rome in 100 C.E.
The Emperor is in the knowledge that the Dacian King Decebalus is posing a threat to Rome. He had been re-fortifying Dacia and raising new armies.
II) Traianus and his generals begin to plan the campaign against Decebalus and raise two new legions, the II Traiana (cognomen “fortis” following the Dacian wars) and Legio XXX Ulpia (cognomen “Victrix” achieved after the Dacian war). (Unfortunately, I do not know where exactly were raised (I presume Italy, though I could be completely wrong). Then, the XXX Ulpia (the legion I want to follow in my novel) was then stationed in Brigetio (Pannonia Superior), though another article says they were immediately stationed in Dacia).
III) In spring 101 C.E. Traianus marches north with eleven legions ( http://www.unrv.com/five-good-emperors/dacian-wars.php ). When the legions reached the Danube they began a huge road-building program (devised by Apollodorus of Damascus) and move into Dacia through Viminacium via two pontoon bridges.
(I have read that Trajan may have split his army at this time and that XXX Ulpia would have been part of the army beginning their operations in Moesia Superior ( http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/content/view/25/114/ ) ).
IV) The Dacians do not immediately attack the Romans, they withdraw and rally under Decebalus between the Iron Gate. Traianus and his generals plan to push through the Iron Gate and move straight to the Dacian capital, Sarmizegethusa. The army makes slow progress, picking its way through the forests and deep, narrow mountain passes of Dacia, however, the engineers clear the way soon enough and the army marches to the Iron Gate.
V) The Second Battle of Tapae (101 C.E.). The battle took place duing a storm? (indicated by a figure of Jupiter hurling lighting bolts?). The Dacians attack form the high-ground but Roman auxiliary forces manage to push the Dacians back. The Dacians retreat towards the Carpathian Mountains. The Romans continue their advance, torching Dacian settlements and villages. Traianus is impressed by Decebalus’ defenses (Note the image on Trajan’s column where the emperor inspects a Dacian fortress. Within the walls are impaled heads and captures Roman battle standards).
Traianus, instead of continuing the advance and marching to Sarmizegethusa, decides to pull back to winter quarters at the Danube.
VI) Whilst the Romans re-supply for the next campaigning season the Dacians carry out an un-suspected counter-attack on an auxiliary fortress on the Danube and besiege the defenders. Word reaches Traianus and an army is sent to relieve the fort. Roman cavalry push back the Dacian army (who have Sarmatian cavalry). The auxiliary infantry fight with the Dacians once more, surrounding the baggage train and butchering the defenders. Then the legionaries finally go into battle and finish the Dacians off.
The Dacians retreat in disarray, forced to leave their dead on the field. High-ranking prisoners are captured by the Romans. Trajan hands out decorations following the victory. Though the Romans have victory the war is not over.
VII) Roman prisoners that have been taken by the Dacians are tortuered by Dacian women (this can be seen on the column. I am intending to include this event in my novel.)
VIII) Spring comes yet again and Traianus marches into Dacia. The army is split into two columns. Column ‘A’ will (perhaps) reach the Dacian capital by marching through the Teregova Keys Pass and the Iron Gate, and Column ‘B’ will march through the Vulcan pass.
IX) The Romans siege Sarmizegethusa, cutting off the food and water supply and build a ramp up to the walls. The Romans then storm the place and destroy the Dacian forces. Some refugees escape the town. Decebalus stands proudly and is forced to make peace with the Romans after being humbled by Traianus.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is just my interpretation and I realise that it could be very, very wrong. I do not have many sources to refer to save the column itself. There are a few other problems also.
I can't find any pages with archaeological evidence concerning the XXX Ulpia during the time of Trajan, so I don't know where they were posted. I do not know which route they took to Sarmizegethusa. I do not know who their legate was, or the general of their army group. I want to make this as accurate as possible and do not wish to go astray from what the evidence suggests, though it is limited. Does anyone know any way in which I can find these sort of things out? I've been searching everywhere. Help would be MUCH appreciated.
Grazie,
Lorenzo.
Lorenzo Perring-Mattiassi/Florivs Virilis
COHORS I BATAVORUM M.C.R.P.F
COHORS I BATAVORUM M.C.R.P.F
