The value of military oath in civil wars in Rome: The example of conflict 49-45 BC
Keywords:
Army, Civil war, Miles, Mutiny, Republic, Sacramentum militiae.
Abstract
During the civil war between Caesar and Pompey, the military oath which binds the soldier to his army is often openly violated. Yet despite this offense, commanders of armed struggle require recursively the oath to their men. Admittedly, this ritual act seems ineffective given the many desertions and mutinies identified, but military leaders use its symbolic and sacred meaning to legitimize one hand their “anti-republican” actions, on the other armies fighting in a context deemed impius.Downloads
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Published
2015-11-10
How to Cite
Gueye M. (2015). The value of military oath in civil wars in Rome: The example of conflict 49-45 BC. Gerión. Revista de Historia Antigua, 33, 111-129. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_GERI.2015.v33.50976
Issue
Section
Varia
License
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