WotWotius Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 The Batavians (or Batavii) were a tribe who, according to Tacitus, lived around the Rhine delta. Hardened by border wars against Germans and Gauls, the Batavians were not warriors to be reckoned with. When Rome incorporated their lands into her Empire, the tribe became an excellent auxiliary force as they had the ability to swim in their armour. They were eventually used in the Claudian invasion of Britain 43 AD; Dio refers to their use during the battle of Medway River: 'The barbarians thought that Romans would not be able to cross it without a bridge, and consequently bivouacked in rather careless fashion on the opposite bank; but he sent across a detachment of Germans, who were accustomed to swim easily in full armour across the most turbulent streams. These fell unexpectedly upon the enemy, but instead of shooting at any of the men they confined themselves to wounding the horses that drew their chariots; and in the confusion that followed not even the enemy's mounted warriors could save themselves.' Dio's Histories, Book LX, chapter 20 But what I would like to know is whether there is such a thing as a Batavian re-enactment group: watching them swim in their armour would be a real sight to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertinax Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 LEG II AVG have done some hard outdoor campaigning work in Wales (fording icy streams with your gear on a scutum) , including living outdoors in a Contubernium in sub-zero temperatures. I havent seen anyone take on the Batavii amphibious ops role, my shortie review here hints at my own interest in them : http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?showto...mp;hl=batavians they seemed to have been a valued presence for combined ops or general work near waterway communications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotWotius Posted August 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 Where might I find the 'Roman Auxiliary Cavalryman Ad 14-193' book you mentioned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertinax Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 Where might I find the 'Roman Auxiliary Cavalryman Ad 14-193' book you mentioned? http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1841769...0393422?ie=UTF8 straightforward Amazon purchase , and a very informative read, on such everyday things as feed and tack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotWotius Posted August 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 Wow! I can actually afford it. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertinax Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 Wow! I can actually afford it. Thank you. If you trawl the Roman Britain in Maps site, check the dedications at Glannaventa, Vircovicium, Vindolanda and Banna-if I remember you will find Batavian items, you will also find that the Batavian commander at Vindolanda is the central charachter in this work: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0521659...8&s=gateway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotWotius Posted August 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 I have managed to locate some Batavi re-enactors as well as a very interesting website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertinax Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 I have managed to locate some Batavi re-enactors as well as a very interesting website. Unbelievable! I had hoped to see this group today, but other commitments got in the way. I swapped e mails with them only yesterday, and I didnt know about this specialisation . Well done WW. The Syrians are attested at Banna-quite an odd detachment in this locality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotWotius Posted August 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 When you mention Syrians, are you refering to the archers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertinax Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 When you mention Syrians, are you refering to the archers? Yes , and here is their favoured Deity-I had this filed away because I thought they were such a remote and unusual group. http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?&a...=si&img=973 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotWotius Posted August 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 When you mention Syrians, are you refering to the archers? Yes , and here is their favoured Deity-I had this filed away because I thought they were such a remote and unusual group. http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?&a...=si&img=973 Very nice. Does their deity have a name? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotWotius Posted August 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 Very nice. Does their deity have a name? Sorry, that may have sounded a bit facetious, but I am curious to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertinax Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 When you mention Syrians, are you refering to the archers? Yes , and here is their favoured Deity-I had this filed away because I thought they were such a remote and unusual group. http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?&a...=si&img=973 Very nice. Does their deity have a name? Astarte, Astaroth ,Astarte Syriaca,Ishtar, Astartu- conflated with Venus.I understand that linguists suggest a strong connection between the names Astarte and Aphrodite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotWotius Posted August 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 I have managed to locate some Batavi re-enactors as well as a very interesting website. Unbelievable! I had hoped to see this group today, but other commitments got in the way. I swapped e mails with them only yesterday, and I didnt know about this specialisation . Well done WW. The Syrians are attested at Banna-quite an odd detachment in this locality. Syrian bowmen did serve in Roman Britain. Evidence for the Cohort in Britain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertinax Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 Very nice. Does their deity have a name? Sorry, that may have sounded a bit facetious, but I am curious to know. Not at all, no offence taken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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