Caesarian Mutiny of 47 BC: Difference between revisions
←Created page with '{{Short description|Mutiny against Julius Caesar}} {{Infobox military conflict | conflict = Caesarian Mutiny of 47 BC | width = | partof = the Caesar's civil war | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | date = 47 BC | place = Italia | result = See Resolution | combatant1 = Roman Republic | c...' Tags: harv-error Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
(No difference)
|
Revision as of 17:24, 14 July 2023
| Caesarian Mutiny of 47 BC | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Caesar's civil war | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Roman Republic | Mutineers | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Unknown | |||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Garrison of Rome |
Legion X Legion XII Legion VII Legion IX | ||||||
The Caesarian Mutiny of 47 BC was a mutiny of Caesar's veteran legions which resulted from Caesar's unkept promises to them.
Background
In 47 B.C., despite victory at the Battle of Pharsalus and the subsequent death of Pompey, the Civil War continued for Julius Caesar. He faced hostile Roman armies in Spain and North Africa. Rumours circulated that the African army was preparing to invade Italy. Order was kept in Rome only through the force employed by Caesar's lieutenant Mark Antony. Contemporaries certainly did not believe Caesar's victory was a foregone conclusion. In the midst of these crises, Caesar faced a mutiny amongst his veteran Gallic legions billeted in Campania. These troops refused his orders to move from Italy to Africa to fight the Pompeian army that had gathered there. Instead they marched to Rome to demand back pay, discharge, and promised bonuses of money and land.
Mutiny
The mutineers in Campania were not calmed by Caesar's return. Caesar sent one of his lieutenants, the future historian Gaius Sallustius Crispus (also appointed praetor for 46 BC), to parley with the men, but Sallust was almost killed by a mob.[1] Caesar then went in person to the troops, who were then nearing Rome under arms; he granted them immediate discharges, gave promises that they would receive their land and retirement bonuses, and addressed them as quirites (citizens).[2] His men, shocked by their casual dismissal, begged Caesar to take them back into service; feigning reluctance, he allowed himself to be persuaded.
Resolution
Caesar did not condemn any rebel soldier to death. However, using his agents, he collected the names of the most ardent rebels and placed them in upcoming battles, in the most dangerous places.[3]
References
- ^ Goldsworthy 2006, p. 452.
- ^ Goldsworthy 2006, pp. 452–453.
- ^ Goldsworthy 2006, p. 453.