09-16-2003, 07:45 PM
I incorrectly posted this on the archeology and history board.<br>
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I just completed Benjamin Isaac's Limits of Empire, (which along with Mattern's Rome and the Enemy & C. M. Wells German Policy of Augustus give probably the most accurate assesment of Roman 'Grand Strategy') in it he makes a claim about Varus' military experience. On page 57 he states that Varus had more military experience going into his Germania command than Vespasian did going into his Syria/Judea command. Since Vespasian's experience as a Legate during the invasion of Britain is documented I assume Issac has knowledge of Varus having more campaign experience at the same rank. Isaac writes of Varus' previous march through Samaria with 2 legions and auxiliaries during hostilities and his crucifiction of 2,000 Jews for rebellion. I'm not sure if this constitutes 'greater' experience than Vespasian's command of a legion and its auxiliaries during the British invasion. Is there additional evidence of Varus' pre-Germania military experience? <p></p><i></i>
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I just completed Benjamin Isaac's Limits of Empire, (which along with Mattern's Rome and the Enemy & C. M. Wells German Policy of Augustus give probably the most accurate assesment of Roman 'Grand Strategy') in it he makes a claim about Varus' military experience. On page 57 he states that Varus had more military experience going into his Germania command than Vespasian did going into his Syria/Judea command. Since Vespasian's experience as a Legate during the invasion of Britain is documented I assume Issac has knowledge of Varus having more campaign experience at the same rank. Isaac writes of Varus' previous march through Samaria with 2 legions and auxiliaries during hostilities and his crucifiction of 2,000 Jews for rebellion. I'm not sure if this constitutes 'greater' experience than Vespasian's command of a legion and its auxiliaries during the British invasion. Is there additional evidence of Varus' pre-Germania military experience? <p></p><i></i>
