was the XXII Deiotariana poisoned?

[frankq]

I just ran into this in a book by Michael Grant. According Eusebius, who based it on the lost chronicle of Julius Africanus, the XXII Deiotariana was poisoned by a party of Pharisees. In a way, not a wild theory. The XXII was marching in as backup at the outbreak of the Bar Cochba revolt. Possibly it stopped at Gaza for provisions that were tampered with? A whole legion retching away is a sitting duck target.

 

Anyone every read any mention of this?

[Pertinax]

FQ do you have a suggestion as to the method of poisoning please , either to quote or link?

[frankq]

FQ do you have a suggestion as to the method of poisoning please , either to quote or link?

 

 

I can't find the quote at all. It is in Eusebius' chronicle but what parts I find translated on line have no mention of this. And his chronicle was based on Julius Africanus' lost chronicle. Grant is a credible source but cavalierly throws reference to this out in his book on the Jews in the Roman world. The method of poisoning naturally probably won't be given.

 

Again, in a way, it might well make sense, poisoning a legion. Taking a legion on and knocking it completely out of the field is no easy task, especially for guerrilla fighters. Even the XII Fulminata had to be pinned in a pass and lobbed by slingshot before they were forced to leave behind their eagle.

 

Any case, all Grant states is that ''a party of Pharisees'' did the dirty deed.

 

Study of the Bar Cochba revolt also points that maybe the IX Hispana was discredited here, too.