spittle Posted December 6, 2006 Report Share Posted December 6, 2006 After Crassus lost the Eagles at Carrhae they were in the possession of the Parthians for decades. What did they do with them? Did they take them to the Eastern edge of their lands (furthest away from Roman provinces) and hide them? Or did they display them in a similar fashion to the spoils of war in Roman triumphs? Maybe none of the above.... Does anyone know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.Clodius Posted December 6, 2006 Report Share Posted December 6, 2006 Not sure, probably on display in court or some temple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertinax Posted December 6, 2006 Report Share Posted December 6, 2006 Were they not displayed in the Imperial capital at Cstephion? I find a very fleeting reference in the Osprey series work(Rome s Enemies 3) saying " thereafter the standards were displayed in various temples" -however the reference to Crassus" severed head and hand being thrown onstage at the entertainment staged by the King Of Armenia in the presence of the Parthian King during a performance of Bacchanates (Euripides) is widely regaled as an amusing after dinner story............. I note that many of the Roman prisoners (with craft skills) are said to have been settled in the neighbourhood of Merv. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primus Pilus Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 -however the reference to Crassus" severed head and hand being thrown onstage at the entertainment staged by the King Of Armenia in the presence of the Parthian King during a performance of Bacchanates (Euripides) is widely regaled as an amusing after dinner story............. That is provided directly by Plutarch at least. Though I'd agree it has all the trappings of dramatic effect along with the molten gold being poured down his throat concept. (as reported by Cassius Dio... though it was a couple of generations after Appian provided the same example of death for Manius Aquillius at the hands of Mithridates. And of course, such a story is a recurring one in history). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antiochus of Seleucia Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 (edited) I've wondered... couldn't Roma send a spy or something to steal them back? You know... climb a wall here, take it, ride away on a horse in the night...? It'd be hard but not impossible. Edited December 7, 2006 by Antiochus of Seleucia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.Clodius Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 I've wondered... couldn't Roma send a spy or something to steal them back? You know... climb a wall here, take it, ride away on a horse in the night...? It'd be hard but not impossible. They were recovered by Augustus as part of a mutual non-aggression pact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiceroD Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 (edited) I've wondered... couldn't Roma send a spy or something to steal them back? You know... climb a wall here, take it, ride away on a horse in the night...? It'd be hard but not impossible. There are several problems with this. A) how big were Legionary Eagles? Somthing small like documents (and later silk moth eggs) would be easily concealed and transported. Gold on the other hand is really heavy B ) Parthia was BIG after their initial display the eagles couldve been taken anywhere C) If I was the Parthian King I would have melted them down for coin as soon as I got tired of showing off my glorious victory (and rubbing it in Romes face). why? well this meant that the romans could never recover it. oops too slow Edited December 7, 2006 by CiceroD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spittle Posted December 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 I've wondered... couldn't Roma send a spy or something to steal them back? You know... climb a wall here, take it, ride away on a horse in the night...? It'd be hard but not impossible. I was thinking of a special forces type recovery action when I mentioned them possibly being taken to the east and hidden. But Parthia was huge. From the Euphrates to India (?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titus001 Posted December 23, 2006 Report Share Posted December 23, 2006 Screw the parthians they are overated, just like knights,most of cavarly armies in my opinion loose to a deciplined infantry or combined arms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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