Page 73 - History of War - Issue 01-14

GERMANICUS GNAEUS
JULIUS CAESAR JULIUS

GENERAL AND CONSUL OF THE EMPIRE Getty
LIVED 15BC-19AD AGRICOLA
The son of Drusus, Caesar GENERAL OF
followed in his father’s footsteps, THE EMPIRE
going on to become one of Rome’s
most celebrated Generals. He was AND GOVERNOR
OF BRITAIN
appointed Commander of the Forces
in Germanicus in 14AD, following the LIVED 40-93AD
death of Augustus. After quashing Agricola was the
a rebellion among the eight legions General who
he commanded, he marched to conquered Britain
Teutoburg Forest, scene of a battle – and not just parts, but
in 9AD. There, he buried the bones all of it, fi ghting battles
of fallen Roman soldiers, before across the country and,
pursuing the Cherusci tribe, killing as eventual Governor,
many in an act of vengeance. laying down 1,300 miles
In 16AD, he proved his of roads and building at
strategic ability again when he least 60 forts.
came up against a German After holding offi ce in
alliance at the Battle of Rome, Agricola was sent
the Weser River, many by Emperor Vespasian to serve in Britain as a Commander. Later
thousands of German becoming a Governor, he was ordered to conquer the entire island.
troops being killed Leading his army to the north of Scotland, Agricola established forts
compared to minor across much of the lowlands and introduced Romanising measures,
Roman losses. encouraging communities to build towns on
the Roman model and educating the sons DID YOU KNOW?
of the native nobility in the Roman manner.
DID YOU KNOW? He also instructed the prefect of the fl eet As well as being honoured
by the erection of a statue
Germanicus died from a in the north of Britain to sail around the of him in Rome (one of the
mysterious illness in 19AD. northern coast, confi rming for the fi rst time highest military honours
Blame lay at the door of Piso, that Britain was, in fact, an island. achievable), Agricola had
who, it was claimed, poisoned
Mary Evans the Commander upon order 85AD, the rumour being that Emperor a statue of him erected
Agricola was recalled from Britain in
at the Roman Baths in
from Emperor Tiberius. The truth
the British city of Bath.
Domitian was jealous of his successes.
was never arrived at: Piso took
his own life during his trial. It still stands there today.
1AD 50AD 100AD 150AD
20AD 30AD 40AD 50AD 60AD 70AD 80AD 90AD 100AD 110AD 120AD 130AD 140AD 150AD

NERO CLAUDIUS DRUSUS

GENERAL OF THE EMPIRE
LIVED 38-9BC
Rome was robbed of one of its fi nest Generals Mary Evans
when Drusus died a month after falling from his
horse whilst attempting to push into Germany.
He was just 29. The brother of Tiberius – who went on
He was just 29. The brother of Tiberius – who went on
to become Emperor – Drusus was rumoured to be
the son of Emperor Augustus, although offi cially his
father was cited as being Tiberius Claudius Nero. This
rumour was encouraged by Drusus, because it placed
him in direct lineage to Augustus.
Drusus’ military prowess demonstrated itself
during his forays into Germany. He was the fi rst
Roman General to mount successful campaigns east
of the Rhine, pushing his troops as far as the Weser
of the Rhine, pushing his troops as far as the Weser
and Elbe rivers. The Sicambri, Batavi, Frisii and Chatti
and Elbe rivers. The Sicambri, Batavi, Frisii and Chatti
tribes were all subjugated
tribes were all subjugated
by his army in 11BC. And a
year later, he defeated the DID YOU KNOW?
Mattiaci, Marcomanni and Drusus married Antonia
Cherusci tribes. Although Minor, daughter of Mark
elected for Consul, he Antony and Octavia Minor,
elected for Consul, he
and was reputedly faithful
Mary Evans once more for Germany, where to her until his death.
instead chose to ride out
instead chose to ride out
once more for Germany, where
She went on to live for
he met his maker in 9BC.
he met his maker in 9BC.
another five decades and

never once remarried.
HISTORY WAR 73
of
HoW01.Leaders of men.indd 73 29/01/2014 18:54