Marcus Furius Camillus (II)
Marcus Furius Camillus (II) was a Roman governor of Africa proconsularis province who inflicted a crushing defeat on the Numidian rebel Tacfarinas in a pitched battle in 17 AD. For this victory, the emperor Tiberius (ruled 14–37 AD) awarded him insignia triumphalia (triumphal honours, the alternative to a full Roman triumph, which was by this time only accorded to members of the ruling Julio-Claudian dynasty). The historian Tacitus, in his Annales (published AD 109), joked that Camillus subsequently lived invisibly enough to survive this great honour (an allusion to the endless series of executions of prominent senators on spurious treason charges under Tiberius).[1]
Family[edit]
Camillus was descended from Marcus Furius Camillus, five times dictator, honored with the title of Second Founder of Rome.[2] and a fellow member of the Furii Camilli with Marcus Furius Camillus.
Gaetuli War[edit]
He is noted for subduing a revolt by Berber tribes in Roman North Africa around 24 AD, in what is called today the Gaetuli War. Furius Camillus was in 17 AD proconsul of Roman North Africa.
The revolt seems to have erupted over the construction of a road through the tribal areas. The coalition included the Gaetuli[3](from who the revolt was named) Cinithians(who Tacitus asserts were unwilling participants,[4])Garamantes, Moors and Musulanians themselves and was the largest revolt against Roman rule in Algeria during the whole of the Roman occupation.[5]
The revolt was in two parties. The main body of the revolt was under command of Tacfarinas (d. 24 AD), Roman auxiliary soldier of Roman North Africa, who led the Musulamii, a tribe that inhabited the southern regions of Africa Proconsularis along the northern fringe of the Sahara desert. Tacitus describes him as having the rudiments of Roman training, which he used in his army. Camillus engaged Tacfarinas, according to Tacitus, with a significantly smaller army of one legion and using conventional Roman tactics was able to destroy Tacfarinas larger army, of Berbers. Tacfarinas himself escaped and fought on till being defeated in 24AD.
Mazippas[6] role in the revolt was said by Tacitus to have ravaged the country and marked his way with fire and sword.[7] The cleanup of Mazipps' army took some months.
Tacitus describes his conservative victory as
[Camillus] ... once more revived the glory of his ancestors; but he did it without their talents.
In 18 AD, Camillus was replaced by Lucius Apronius as proconsul of Africa. On his return to Rome, Tiberius lavished triumphal ornaments,[8] on him.
Reputation[edit]
Unlike his relatives Marcus Furius Camillus, consul in AD 8, Marcus Furius Camillus Scribonianus, consul in AD 32 and Furius Camillus Scribonianus who all had spectacular falls after plotting against the emperor, Camillus was deemed totally unambitious and of no danger to the emperor.[9]
His moderation, and the simplicity of his manners, screened him from envy. He enjoyed his honors with impunity.[10]
See Also[edit]
Citations[edit]
- ↑ Tacitus Annales II.52
- ↑ Livy, History of Rome, Book 5, Chapter 49.
- ↑ MacDonald, Eve (2012). "Tacfarinas". The Encyclopedia of Ancient History. doi:10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah18146. ISBN 9781444338386. Search this book on
- ↑ Cornelius Tacitus, The Annals and History of Tacitus (Talboys, 1839) p113.
- ↑ Dr. David Cherry, Frontier and Society in Roman North Africa. (Oxford University Press., 1998) pp. 39
- ↑ http://users.skynet.be/remacle/AnnalesII/AnnalesII52.htm
- ↑ Cornelius Tacitus, The Annals and History of Tacitus (Talboys, 1839) II. 52.
- ↑ Cornelius Tacitus, Arthur Murphy, The Historical Annals of Cornelius Tacitus: With Supplements, Volume 1 (D. Neall, 1829 ) p114.
- ↑ Cornelius Tacitus, The Annals and History of Tacitus: A New and Literal English Version (Talboys, 1839) p. 75.
- ↑ Cornelius Tacitus, Arthur Murphy, The Historical Annals of Cornelius Tacitus: With Supplements, Volume 1 (D. Neall, 1829), p114.
- ↑ Syme 222; ILS 939, 12
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