Legions in Jerusalem under Pilate?

[M. Demetrius]

http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/7-off-t...tml#334549

The Roman miniature thread, as requested, gents.

[Theodosius the Great]

@ the OP

For something more specific about Roman military history of Judea in the 1st century I recommend you have a look at The Holy Land, by the venerable Peter Connolly. The book goes by one or two different titles so you may want to search those to find a better price.

Here are two links:

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Jesus-Nazar...r+connolly

http://www.amazon.com/The-Holy-Land-Anci...r+connolly

~Theo

[Paul Elliott]

Thanks Theo... bought!

Hi Patrick,

The resources cited by Jasper are superb.

The source I used for my answer was an out-of-print book titled Soldiers of Rome, by Robert Evans. It's quite a gem for legionary histories and the Praetorion Guard (very rare for English written books, btw!) I like how the chapters are divided by provinces and regions. So, if you want to own a physical book on the subject I think it's a great buy. You can find it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Rome-Legi...rs+of+rome

~ Theo

[starman2012]

Some weren't even created until the 2nd century AD.

Traiana and Italica, but Parthica was I think even later, the third.

[M. Demetrius]

I have a copy of Connolly's Holy Land paperback, and while it's a simple primer, the information and illustrations are very instructive on the buildings (both interior and exteriors) and the tools and equipment of the people in Jerusalem circa 20AD or so. Some criticize it as being a "children's book", but the simplicity of it doesn't mean it's not a valuable contributor to study.

Just ordered a copy of Soldiers of Rome from Amazon. Sounds like a good book.

[Theodosius the Great]

Some weren't even created until the 2nd century AD.

Traiana and Italica, but Parthica was I think even later, the third.

Do you have a source for a later date?

All the sources I checked suggest a second century foundation. They all agree that it was raised at the same time as Parthica I and III which were raised for the war against Parthia in the mid 190s. But they give different dates. My book says it was formed in 193 AD along with Parthica I and III by Septimius Severus immediately after he became emperor. This date sounds a bit too early to me. The entry on wikipedia (unsourced) says 197, which sounds far too late since that's the year Ctesiphon was sacked. Ross Cowan more plausibly dates their founding between 194-195.

Parthica II, unlike it's two sister legions, wasn't raised in the east. It was stationed in Albano, Italy (20 miles south of Rome).

I have a copy of Connolly's Holy Land paperback, and while it's a simple primer, the information and illustrations are very instructive on the buildings (both interior and exteriors) and the tools and equipment of the people in Jerusalem circa 20AD or so. Some criticize it as being a "children's book", but the simplicity of it doesn't mean it's not a valuable contributor to study.

I doubt those critics read the whole book. They probably think Osprey books are for kids too. The book may look like a childrens' book but it wasn't a quick read for me at all. I think it's mostly based on Josephus' The Jewish War. The first half of the book is almost entirely on Herod's life. With Herod's death the narrative turns to the political vacuum that the Romans try to fill with various solutions which don't work out too well which eventually climaxes with the destruction of the Temple. Interspersed within the narrative are the author's illustrations, archaeological findings of civilian and military objects from first century Judea, commentary on contemporary Roman military organization and government, Jewish religion, messianic movements, daily life, etc. But all that information is mostly submerged within the larger narrative.

People shouldn't even think of it as a large Osprey book either. It's far more comprehensive.

~Theo

[starman2012]

says 197, which sounds far too late since that's the year Ctesiphon was sacked.

So you're right about those legions being founded in the second century. :oops: But Ctesiphon wasn't taken until January 198 CE.