Decimation

Decimation in the Roman Military

Decimation was a brutal form of military punishment employed in ancient Rome to maintain discipline and order within the ranks of the Roman army. The term "decimation" originates from the Latin word "decimatio," which means "removal of a tenth."

This severe disciplinary action was primarily used to punish soldiers for cowardice, insubordination, or desertion. Roman commanders would select every tenth man from a disgraced unit to be executed by his fellow soldiers, ensuring that fear of punishment prevailed among the troops.

The practice of decimation in the Roman military was implemented by dividing the offending soldiers into groups of ten, usually within their respective cohorts. Each group would then randomly select one of their own, frequently by drawing lots or straws. The unfortunate individual chosen would subsequently suffer a brutal death; beaten or clubbed by the remaining nine soldiers within the group. Decimation thus served as both a deterrent and an instrument to enforce loyalty and obedience.

The remaining soldiers would often be subject to further punishments, such as being forced to sleep away from their fellow legionaries or having their food rations reduced. Often, they were compelled to subsist on barley rations instead of wheat, a visible sign of their disgrace within the ranks.

Although decimation was an available tool for Roman military discipline, its use was relatively rare, reserved for extreme cases of insubordination or failure. The threat, however, was enough to maintain order and discipline within the ranks.

Although this practice was most prominently used by the Roman military, it should be noted that the Romans were not the first to employ such harsh disciplinary measures. Other ancient cultures also used strict and cruel methods to maintain discipline within their armies.

Despite its barbaric nature, decimation persisted as a form of punishment throughout the history of the Roman Republic and Empire. However, its use diminished over time as more humane forms of punishment and discipline were introduced. Decimation shows the extreme measures the Roman military took to maintain order and control, and it is a reminder of the brutality present in ancient military systems.

Examples in Ancient Rome (And Later)

Decimation, with regards to the Romans, had its origins during the early wars of the Roman Republic against the Volsci around 471 BC, as documented by the Roman historian, Livy. Throughout Roman history, various key figures played important roles in the implementation of this severe disciplinary action.

One of the most famous instances of decimation in ancient Rome occurred during the Third Servile War, also known as the Gladiatorial War or the War of Spartacus (73-71 BC). Spartacus, a former gladiator, led a major slave rebellion against Rome.

Marcus Licinius Crassus, a prominent Roman general and politician, was tasked with crushing the rebellion. During the campaign, a group of Roman soldiers under Crassus' command fled from battle against Spartacus' forces. As a response to their cowardice, Crassus revived the punishment of decimation. He ordered the execution of one in every ten men from a cohort of 500 soldiers, resulting in the death of 50 men.

The practice extended beyond the Republican era and into the Imperial period. Suetonius records that it was used by Emperor Augustus in 17 BC and later by Galba during the 'Year of the Four Emperors (69 AD)', while Tacitus records that Lucius Apronius, a Roman senator and military commander, used decimation to punish a full cohort of the III Augusta legion after their defeat by Tacfarinas in AD 20. (Tacfarinas was a Numidian rebel leader who led a series of revolts against the Roman Empire in North Africa during the reign of Emperor Tiberius).

The Praetorian Guard, an elite unit of the Roman army that served as personal bodyguards to the Roman emperors, was not immune to the threat of decimation. In 31 BC, Emperor Augustus threatened to decimate the Praetorian Guard for their involvement in a mutiny. However, there is no clear historical evidence that the punishment was actually carried out in this instance. Despite this, the incident highlights that even the most privileged and elite units of the Roman military were not exempt from the possibility of facing this severe form of military discipline.

The story of the decimation of the Theban Legion is a hagiographic account that is not considered historically reliable. According to the religious tradition, the Theban Legion was composed of Christian soldiers from Egypt who were ordered by Emperor Maximian to participate in pagan sacrifices and suppress a Christian uprising in Gaul. The legend states that when the soldiers refused, Maximian ordered the legion to be decimated multiple times, ultimately leading to the martyrdom of all 6,666 soldiers. However, this account is not supported by contemporary historical sources and is viewed as a religious tradition rather than a factual historical event.

More recent historical incidents include in 1866, at the Battle of Curuzu during the Paraguayan War, the Paraguayan 10th Battalion fled without firing a shot. President Lopez ordered the decimation of the battalion, which was accordingly formed into line and every tenth man shot. Also, Luigi Cadorna, an Italian general, implemented decimation as punishment during World War I for desertion within the ranks of the 141st Catanzaro Infantry Brigade.

Decimation's Impact, Legacy and Was It Effective?

The effects of decimation extended past the immediately affected soldiers. Other units would witness or hear about the decimation process, serving as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of disobedience. Additionally, the enforcement of fines on the remaining soldiers’ pay served to further solidify the lesson.

Decimation served as a brutal yet effective method of instilling discipline and loyalty within the Roman army. The combination of execution, humiliation, and the fear of facing a similar fate ensured that soldiers remained in line with the expectations of their commanders. Despite its cruelty, decimation played a significant role in maintaining the Roman empire's formidable and feared military force.

Throughout its history, the Roman Empire was involved in many different battles and conflicts. In these battles, maintaining discipline was crucial, and thus the use of harsh punishments such as decimation became necessary. However, this practice had a consequential effect on morale and unit cohesion. The surviving soldiers in a decimated unit often suffered from feelings of guilt and fear, which could potentially lead to further disciplinary issues.

By the time of the Late Republic, decimation had become a controversial topic among Romans. Some pushed for its continued use as an effective disciplinary measure, while others condemned it as a cruel and outdated punishment which would often punish individuals for the faults of others. As public opinion shifted, social and political pressures led to the gradual decline of decimation as a widely used punishment.

Ultimately, decimation's impact on Roman military discipline and the individual soldiers involved cannot be ignored. It struck fear into their hearts, demanding obedience and serving as a cautionary tale for any Roman soldier who considered straying from the disciplined path. This ancient practice's legacy lingers on in modern discussions surrounding military coercion and punishment, as well as in portrayals of the Roman Empire in media and popular culture.

There can be no doubting that the threat of decimation would have been never far from a legionary’s mind if he were contemplating desertion. But how much of an effect it had on discipline and obedience to the state is impossible to know, as many in the ranks would have little doubt anyway about sacrificing their lives for their brothers in arms, their commander, and Rome should the need arise.

This must also be weighed up against the negative consequences it could have for the effectiveness of a cohort. First off, decimation would immediately reduce your manpower by 10%, and as no general in history has ever been on the battlefield and wished he had less soldiers with him than he currently has, the concept of deliberately reducing your numbers is somewhat counterintuitive.

Also, how would the other nine legionaries, who had just been forced to brutally kill their comrade, and possibly their friend, react to being forced to undertake such an act? Would they be as willing to fight and die under a commander who had just made them do that?