03-25-2013, 05:01 PM
Eduard wrote:
That makes sense for Marcus Aurelius to let the families come as soldiers would fight better when defending families. From what I have read the Iazyges were sueing for peace for a few years but Romans desisted from making peace. But the revolt of Avidius Cassius changed things dramatically. But transporting their families would have been an enormous cost that the Romans would have been hesitant to pay. Other problems were Antonine Plague was still around and also "March route" did they go through parts of Italy and Gaul and then Britain? I think after what happened when Marcomanni laid seige to Aquiela that Italian cities would have been reluctant to allow Iazyges anywhere near their towns and farms. So did they avoid Italian peninsula. I suppose they would have had their own herds of cattle and sheep but how would they provision for horses? I know without written sources it is hard to pinpoint what exactly happened but like I said in previous post it was an enormous logistical exercise for an ancient world power so was transfer conducted over a few years. In regard to the other 2500 Sarmatians, I read that Marcus was shocked that Egypt swung behind Avidius Cassius so maybe he thought Sarmatians would be good replacement for rebellious troops.
Quote:The families were the hostages that gave the Romans leverage.
That makes sense for Marcus Aurelius to let the families come as soldiers would fight better when defending families. From what I have read the Iazyges were sueing for peace for a few years but Romans desisted from making peace. But the revolt of Avidius Cassius changed things dramatically. But transporting their families would have been an enormous cost that the Romans would have been hesitant to pay. Other problems were Antonine Plague was still around and also "March route" did they go through parts of Italy and Gaul and then Britain? I think after what happened when Marcomanni laid seige to Aquiela that Italian cities would have been reluctant to allow Iazyges anywhere near their towns and farms. So did they avoid Italian peninsula. I suppose they would have had their own herds of cattle and sheep but how would they provision for horses? I know without written sources it is hard to pinpoint what exactly happened but like I said in previous post it was an enormous logistical exercise for an ancient world power so was transfer conducted over a few years. In regard to the other 2500 Sarmatians, I read that Marcus was shocked that Egypt swung behind Avidius Cassius so maybe he thought Sarmatians would be good replacement for rebellious troops.
Regards
Michael Kerr
Michael Kerr
Michael Kerr
"You can conquer an empire from the back of a horse but you can't rule it from one"
"You can conquer an empire from the back of a horse but you can't rule it from one"
