military incompetence

[eugene]

What were ancient views and perceptions on the reasons of general s military incompetence? Are there ay modern researches on this theme?

[Caballo]

Teutoberger Forest. According to the biographer Suetonius, upon hearing the news, Augustus tore his clothes, refused to cut his hair for months and, for years afterwards, was heard, upon occasion, to moan, "Quinctilius Varus, give me back my Legions!" ("Quintili Vare, legiones redde!")......

[Currahee Chris]

Ive often wondered this as well. Many thoughts/opinions on it-

The Legions were pretty much seasoned men. They knew when they had craptacular leadership. However, I believe that these men saw it more as fortune or fate- simply they were meant to die in a battle- good or bad. There probably wasnt as much "armchair generalship" taking place like you might have in modern times because news traveled slower and a "spin" could be put on a disaster if needed. I also think people back then just looked at things differently- as I stated above- it was fate that lead us to Tuetoberger, etc.

[eugene]

And what did the ancient authors wrote on general s military incompetence? What were, in their eyes, the basic reasons of general s professional incompetence?

[Agonis]

One of the first examples of military incompetence is the death on King Rhesus of Thrace as given by Homer in Iliad. Stefanos in his article gives a detailed description of all sources of the specific example

http://stefanosskarmintzos.wordpress.com...of-thrace/



Adonis

[Titus Manlius Verus]

Ancient sources were often careful to not insult military campaigns, as they were often headed by the emperors, from whom they were seeking patronage-and were often relatives of past emperors. One of the greatest notes of military incompetence was Caligula's "conquest" of Britain. Initially marching three legions to Germania, Caligula withdrew at the first sign of resistance. From Germania, he marched his legions to the English channel where after his troop transports were sunk in a storm, he ordered his three legions into full battle formation, ordered them to throw their pilum and charge into the ocean. After the legions had defeated "neptune," Caligula ordered his three legions to remove their helmets and pick up shells. Caligula then took these shells and displayed them as spoils of war in his returning triumph.... I laugh when I picture three ligions of bewieldered, battle-hardened legionnaires picking up shells.

Occasionally, an ancient author might blame defeat on the displeasure of the gods. However, Roman authors were generally more practical. Emperors usually appointed legates who had, at least, decent military experience. However, the Tribunus laticlavus, the second in command of the legion, was usually a seator's son in his early 20's who was getting his required military service in before moving on to better things. The military tribunes were equestrian appointees who were climbing the political ladder. The Prefectus Castorum was the highest ranking officer (third in command) who was professional to the core. A career officer, a prefect was usually the longest serving officer in the legion. If anyone knew how to do their job, it was the prefect. It was his responsability to see to it that the men were full trained and stayed in shape.

Part of the reason of military incompetence was that the top brass were occasionally incompetent appointees.