Year of the Four Emperors

[Theodosius the Great]

Avete Omnes,

I read a book on this war called "69 A.D." by Gwyn Morgan.

I have a question about Otho's military situation (maybe Jasper can answer this) : why couldn't Otho have brought the Danubian legions across the Adriatic by sea ? I believe they were already mobilized by November. Was this too late in the season to attempt an amphibious landing on Italian soil ? I believe Sulla made a similar journey around the same time when he made his second march on Rome.

BTW, IF Otho could have done so, would this have been a faster way of bringing the legions to his aid ? The fleet at Ravena was loyal to him.


Theo

[Praefectusclassis]

Good question Theo. Why didn't Otho use the full might of the Danubian legions who, after all, had declared for him (Tacitus, Hist. I.76).
It was a combination of time & circumstances. For one, it wasn't safe to completely abandon the limes. The Roxolani, hearing of the impending civil war, had already attacked in Moesia (Tac., Hist. 1.79). They were defeated by III Gallica, but it showed that enemy tribes were waiting for their chance.
Vexillations of the legions in Dalmatia & Pannonia had begun to march to Otho's aid (Hist. 2.11), but they were slow in moving, says Tacitus. The Adriatic wasn't much of a hindrance for their route. The closest legions were in what is now Austria and Hungary. Marching to Gallia Cisalpina would take them above the northern shore of the Adriatic.
The vexillation of XIII Gemina (Hist. 2.24) did make it for the battles in the plains of the Po and XIV Gemina was expected just before the first battle of Bedriacum, together with other troops from Moesia (Hist. 2.32). It did arrive, but it was to no avail. The Vitellians won the battle (Hist. 2.43), after which Otho killed himself (Hist. 2.49), even though reinforcements from Moesia were on the way (Hist.2.44, 46), already in Aquileia.
Had there been legions in northern Greece, then the situation might've been different. That is where Sulla's legions came from, crossing from what is now Albania to Brundisium. They would then still have had to march all the way up the Peninsula, instead of to Rome where Sulla went.

[Theodosius the Great]

Hi Jasper,

Thanks for responding. I knew this was your field of expertise

Vexillations of the legions in Dalmatia & Pannonia had begun to march to Otho's aid (Hist. 2.11), but they were slow in moving, says Tacitus. The Adriatic wasn't much of a hindrance for their route

I understand that the Adriatic wasn't much of a hinderance, but could the vexillations who didn't arrive in time have quickened their pace had they taken ship ?

They had to get to the Po river. If they marched they would have to loop around south once they reached Aquileia. Therefore, wouldn't taking a ship be faster since their route would be more direct and since marching is slower ?

Here's my proposed route drawn very crudely : the red is roughly the route I guess they marched, while the purple is my alternative sea route.
Could the other vexillations have perhaps reached the Po earlier to link up with the local Othonian forces ?

[Praefectusclassis]

I think what Tacitus means is just that they were being slow-pokes. They had to march all the way and again, if you look at where Cremona is on the map, it's to the NW of the tip of your red arrow. For this discussion you'd really need a map of the Roman roads & harbors of the era, to see what the easiest and best route would be. Of the top of my head, I think the northeastern Adriatic was not known for having lots of good harbors.

[Theodosius the Great]

I think what Tacitus means is just that they were being slow-pokes

Even so, I thought taking ship was always the fastest means of travel. (Perhaps their officers were deliberating slowing things down ?)

But I'm confused about the time factor. Otho murdered Galba in mid-January and commited suicide on April 16th. That's about four full months to bring up reinforcements. I guess they really WERE slow :?

Of the top of my head, I think the northeastern Adriatic was not known for having lots of good harbors.

I see. Without good harbors, the sea option isn't there.

Here's a map, btw. Although, it doesn't show roads :

[Praefectusclassis]

It's not impossible that there was some deliberate feet-dragging going on. Also, Tacitus does not precisely date the attack of the Roxolani, but that may have delayed the departure considerably. Besides, it still IS a bit of a walk from eastern Bulgaria to the upper reaches of the Po.

[Theodosius the Great]

Yes, I see your point, Jasper. It seems the legions were tied down for a while and there's the other factor of limited speed of communication between Rome and the Balkins.

Thank you. Laudes point to you.





Theo

(btw, I wonder who the heck's giving me laudes. My score jumped 10 points in the last two days. :? )

[tlclark]

I think what Tacitus means is just that they were being slow-pokes. They had to march all the way and again, if you look at where Cremona is on the map, it's to the NW of the tip of your red arrow. For this discussion you'd really need a map of the Roman roads & harbors of the era, to see what the easiest and best route would be. Of the top of my head, I think the northeastern Adriatic was not known for having lots of good harbors.

It's got scads by the late period. Was it any different in 69? Maybe it was the availability of ships? or the type of ships used? harbors on the other side of the N. adriatic are shallower. Perhaps the available ships had too deep a draught?

I hate (and by "hate" I mean "love") history for this reason. There are so many nattering details that affect everything and no one ever bothered to write them down.

BTW-

1000 posts! woohoo!

Glad to have that out of the way! Whew. Jenny can blame me for the apocalypse if it comes. (Inside joke, sorry)

Travis

[tlclark]

I think what Tacitus means is just that they were being slow-pokes

Even so, I thought taking ship was always the fastest means of travel. (Perhaps their officers were deliberating slowing things down ?)

More like deliberately dragging their feet knowing what was coming if they got there too early. Remember the 800 lb gorilla in the east (Vespasian) is still out there. Vespasian sent Titus to hail Galba, but recalled him when he reached Greece after Otho took over.

I'm not sure of the timing but it's not long after that that all the forces in the east hail Vespasian.

Would you hurry down to help Galba if you knew there was a very good chance you were only going to get spanked later by Vespasian? I think a lot of local leaders were being more cautious and cynical than we expect, playing both sides of the street.

Travis

[Praefectusclassis]

As I stated above, the Balkan legions had pledged allegiance to Otho, either in January or early February of 69. Vespasian, by that time, had not made any open moves whatsoever (iirc he came out in June). IF the Moesian legions had arrived on time and Otho had defeated Vitellius in April, the situation would've changed considerably. Otho would've controlled over half the legions, assuming he would've got all their allegiance. Vespasian had the eastern legions and Egypt...
But you are right, there's no knowing if there were any agents of Vespasian or rather Vitellius working the legions on the Balkan.

[tlclark]

As I stated above, the Balkan legions had pledged allegiance to Otho, either in January or early February of 69. Vespasian, by that time, had not made any open moves whatsoever (iirc he came out in June). IF the Moesian legions had arrived on time and Otho had defeated Vitellius in April, the situation would've changed considerably. Otho would've controlled over half the legions, assuming he would've got all their allegiance. Vespasian had the eastern legions and Egypt...
But you are right, there's no knowing if there were any agents of Vespasian or rather Vitellius working the legions on the Balkan.

I guess the big 64,000 dollar question would be... why did Vespasian back Galba, but not Otho? His decision to back Galba happens after the supposed "Prophecy" of Josephus that he would become emperor. Did he read Galba's defeat as a good omen of his prospects? When and where did Vespasian first get the inkling to be emperor?

There's a good novel in there somewhere.

Travis