Cantabrian Wars

• The Cantabrian Wars (29-19 BCE), known as the Bellum Cantabricum, were one of the most difficult Wars at the beginning of the Roman Empire, and were personally conducted by Augustus (27 BCE-14 CE) himself.
• The Cantabri and the Asturs conducted a guerilla war for ten years, and the Romans were then obliged to keep three Legions there for another 90 years.

The Reason for the War

• The Cantabri and the Asturs were war-like Tribes based in the mountains of North western Spain.
• Their military prowess was familiar to the Romans as they had formed part of Hannibal‘s Army and had fought against them in other Wars. Julius Caesar stated they were present at the Battle of Ilerda in 49 BCE.
• However, the Romans wanted the Asturs’ Gold Mines and the Cantabri’s Iron Mines.

The Bellum Cantabricum (29-19 BCE)

• Dio Cassius stated the Cantabri and the Asturs used guerilla warfare and were experts in using cavalry in hit-and-run tactics, which the Romans copied for the next three hundred years.
• The Cantabri and Astur soldiers did not surrender, but preferred suicide rather than be enslaved.
• The first major conflict occurred at the Battle of Vellica in 25 BCE and the last conflict in 19 BCE, although rebellions continued until 16 BCE.

The 7 Legions deployed

• Augustus personally directed this War himself for the next 10 years. He was obliged to deploy 7 Legions and their Auxiliaries against them, approximately 70,000 men.
  1. Legio I Germanica
  2. Legio II Augusta
  3. Legio V Alaudae
  4. Legio VI Victrix
  5. Legio IX Hispana
  6. Legio X Gemina
  7. Legio XX Valeria Victrix

Other Legions deployed

• 1. Legio IIII Macedonica
     • brought by Agrippa for the campaign in 19 BCE.

Lines of Supply

• The Roman Navy, the Classis Aquitanica was also sent from its Base in Bordeaux, Gallia Aquitania, to operate off the northern coast of Spain, creating a new base at Portus Blendium, Suances, Cantabria, 18 miles (30 km) west of Santander.
• The main line of supplies and communication to these armies lay along the Ebro River, which passed through Leon on its way to the Mediterranean and the coastal port of Tarraco (Tarragona).

‘The Armed Peace’ (19-16 BCE)

• This was a series of minor rebellions that continued over a period of three years.

The Outcome

• After the War, three Legions had to remain posted in Cantabria until 70 CE to retain order:
  • Legio X Gemina
    • Based at Astorga (c.32 BCE-15 CE) Based at Rosinos de Vidriales (15-71 CE).
  • Legio IIII Macedonica
    • Based at Herrera de Pisuerga (Palencia, Cantabria) (19 BCE-69 CE).
  • Legio VI Victrix Based at Legio (Leon) (30 BCE-74 CE)
    • when it was replaced by the Legio VII Gemina Felix, who remained there between (74-409 CE).

Sources

• Livy Ab Urbe Condita (Book 27, ch: 43-49)
• Polybius The Histories

Asturias, Spain