Jump to content
UNRV Ancient Roman Empire Forums

Army Mutinies and Civil Wars


Recommended Posts

Again and again, in the history of the Roman Empire, legions have declared their favorites as emperors.

This, of course, sparked the Civil Wars and regime changes typical in this period.

But the sources that I have do not illuminate the mechanics of the process. For example,

 

1. Were these usurpers usually legionary legates? provincial governers?

 

2. Did the process begin from the top down? (an officer sensing the general discontent calls on the army and encites their rebellion)

 

3. Did the process begin from the bottom up? (the soldiers demonstrate their discontent and their pick for the purple goes along for the ride)

 

4. If the claimant was a legate how does he win over the other local legionary legates? (who I assume are his professional rivals) I would think that there had to be some measures taken to assure their loyalty.

 

Are there any good sources on this?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Suetonius (Lives of the Caesars) mentions a few usurpers (however unlikely some of them were)

 

Tacitus (Annals, Histories) discusses a legionary rebellion in Germania and also covers the events of AD69 - Year of Four Emperors

 

Ammianus Marcellinus (Res Gestae discusses intrigue behind the events of the late empire

 

Those are just the ones I can think of, I'm sure there are others. Cassius Dio probably has something to say but I'm not well acquainted with his work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you Caldrail,

 

And skimming through Book one of Tacitus' Histories It seems that both Otho and Vitellius actively canvassed for the soldiers' support, but Verginius Rufus was offered the post of Emperor (which he refused).

 

I read from another source that Galba was hesitant and reluctant and the purple was offered to him.

 

Was this usual then? How about later wars of successon?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...