All  

Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ

Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ Mobile

Statue of Roman Soldier (Public Domain), and recreators of Roman legionaries wearing the lorica segmentata, 1st-3rd century

Rome’s Forgotten General: Upstart Poor Boy Becomes Military Conqueror – Part I

Print

In the spring of 40 BCE, the Parthians, led by Quintus Labienus, a Roman general who was supported the Liberators (consisting of Brutus and Cassius, who participated in the assassination of Caesar), was on a mission to seek Parthian support and give aid.

The Parthian King Orodes II accepted Labienus. Soon thereafter, Labienus and Prince Pacorus (then probably about 12 years old) crossed the Euphrates River and advanced in Syria. Once in Syria, the Parthian force, consisting of cavalry and a hefty supply train, headed straight for the city of Apamea.

While in Alexandria, Antony (Mark Antony, Roman politician and general) received word that the Parthians had invaded Syria. Immediately, he set out with two hundred ships.

Bust of Labienus

Bust of Labienus (Sailko/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Welcomed as Liberators

The Parthians, under the young Pacorus, invaded Judah and quickly got to work by seeking to establish a king of their own liking. While Pacorus was busy playing “the game of thrones” in the province of Judea, Labienus was obtaining the allegiance of Cilicia. After securing Cilicia, the Parthians and former republican legions began to pour into the interior of Asia-Minor. It is mentioned that many of the cities submitted without putting up a fight. The reason is they could not afford to fight after Antony had drained the local treasuries—which led to the Parthians being welcomed as liberators.

However, the momentum of this force was moving so rapidly and with relative ease, that it indicates that the Romans had few or no garrisons that could put up a sufficient defense to stem the tide. Even the governor of Asia, Lucius Munatius Plancus, not only fled his capital at Ephesus, but fled the province of Asia altogether and set sail for one of the islands. Unfortunately, there is no information concerning Parthian troop movements between Cilicia and the western portion of Asia-Minor. 

As Labienus approached the western edges of Asia Minor, the reports came in. The Parthian forces had devastated two out of the three cities mentioned by historian Cassius Dio: Mylasa and Alabanda.

Panoramic view of the Milas Plain, Turkey. Click for large image.

Panoramic view of the Milas Plain, Turkey. Click for large image. (Mr.MehmetYasa/CC BY-SA 3.0)

The city of Mylasa (located in the province of Caria, and now Milas, Turkey) was taken without conflict, and even accepted Parthian troops to garrison the city. Once Labienus pressed on with his campaign, the citizens of Mylasa held a festival. It was during this festival that an orator by the name of Hybreas spread discontent among the inhabitants, which quickly turned into open rebellion in which the Parthian garrison was slaughtered!

Chambered tomb monument in Milas, built during the city's Roman Period and modelled on the Mausoleum of Mausolus.

Chambered tomb monument in Milas, built during the city's Roman Period and modelled on the Mausoleum of Mausolus. (Mr.Mehmet Yasa/CC BY-SA 3.0)

The same situation occurred at the city of Alabanda in the province of Caria (modern Turkey), where Labienus left a garrison that was slaughtered by the citizens. Once word reached Labienus, he quickly turned and marched on the cities. The city of Mylasa had been abandoned by the time the Parthian forces arrived, but they looted the city of its valuables before destroying it. The citizens of Alabanda also suffered for their rebellion, for they were slaughtered, and their valuables looted.

Enter Ventidius

Ventidius grew up poor like most Romans. He was said to have sold mules and wagons before joining the Roman army. While serving, Ventidius would go on to have a distinguished military career as he would accompany Julius Caesar during his campaign against Gaul and would partake in the Roman Civil War. Afterwards, Ventidius took up Caesar’s offer and accepted the post of plebeian tribune after Caesar reorganized and expanded the senate in 45 BCE.

READ MORE… 

Like this Preview and want to read on? You can! JOIN US THERE with easy, instant access ) and see what you’re missing!! All Premium articles are available in full, with immediate access.

For the price of a cup of coffee, you get this and all the other great benefits at Ancient Origins Premium. And - each time you support AO Premium, you support independent thought and writing.

Cam Rea is an author and military historian. He has written numerous articles for Ancient Origins, Classical Wisdom Weekly, and has authored several books, including: Leviathan vs. Behemoth: The Roman-Parthian Wars 66 BC-217 AD

--

Top Image: Statue of Roman Soldier (Public Domain), and recreators of Roman legionaries wearing the lorica segmentata, 1st-3rd century (Caliga10/CC BY-SA 3.0); Deriv.

By Cam Rea

 
Cam Rea's picture

Cam Rea

Cam Rea is a Military Historian and currently the Associate Editor/Writer at Strategy & Tactics Press. Mr. Rea has published several books and written numerous articles for Strategy & Tactics Press and Classical Wisdom Weekly. His most current publication is... Read More

Next article