Offenses and military sanctions in Rome under the Republic: "desertio" and "transfugium" during the civil wars

Abstract

This study analyzes the effective application of sanctions reserved for miles in case of desertion.In the Roman military penal code, the desertion constitutes a grave military offense liable to the death penalty. However, severe sanctions usually reserved for deserters and defectors from the Roman army are rarely or exceptionally applied during intestinum bellum. By haggling over the loyalty of the soldiers, the leaders of the Roman army encourage and orchestrate openly their desertion. In the chaotic context of the civil conflicts, desertion is then used as a military and political weapon to weaken or annihilate the opponent.