Episode 113 – Farewell to the Roman Achilles

We are deep in the Second Decemvirate (c. 449-447 BCE) and Rome faces war on two fronts. The complications of this new political arrangement and the increasing pressure of armed conflict places the decemvirate under stress as they need to decide how to lead Rome while facing patrician opposition from the Senate. All the while, Rome's enemies head closer…Episode 113 – Farewell to the Roman AchillesEnter a Plebeian Hero!Into this fiery atmosphere, Lucius Siccius Dentatus re-enters the narratives of Livy and Dionysius. He is both well-known and well-loved and we find him serving with the decemvirs at the Sabine front. And its not long before he begins to voice his dissatisfaction with the decemvirs' approach to power. According to Livy he proposes succession…Murder Most FoulOur sources agree that Dentatus is murdered by his own and this episode is all about sifting through the details provided by Livy and Dionysius. Despite scholarly misgivings that Dentatus may be a fictionalised creation, there's no denying that his presence in a historical narrative adds a certain exciting sheen to proceedings.Things to tune in for:Duelling accounts the murder of DentatusMurder investigations Roman styleThe intriguing qualities of the legateThe amazing last stand of a plebeian heroLooking to relive the highlights of Siccius Dentatus' life? Check out our back catalogue:Episode 105 – The Roman AchillesEpisode 106 – Spoiler AlertOur PlayersDecemvirsTwo legions in RomeAppius Claudius. Ap. f. M. n. Crassus Inregillensis Sabinus Pat – Cos. 471, 451Spurius Oppius CornicenThree legions against the SabinesQuintus Fabius M. f. M. n. Vibulanus Pat – Cos. 467, 465, 459Quintus Poetelius Libo VisolusManius RabuleiusFive legions against the AequiansMarcus Cornelius – f. Ser. n. Maluginenesis PatLucius Minucius P. f. M. n. Esquilinus Augurinus Pat – Cos. 458Marcus? Sergius Esquilinus PatTitus Antonius MerendaCaeso Duillius Longus?Hero of the PeopleLucius Siccius DentatusOur SourcesDr Rad reads Livy 3.42-43Dr G reads Dionysius of Halicarnassus Rom. Ant. 11.25-27Sound CreditsAdditional music and sound in this episode includes:an original composition for our podcast by the fabulous Bettina Joy de Guzmanand additional sound effects from BBC Sound Effects BetaAniello Falcone c. 1640. Roman soldiers in the circus. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Not a Roman battle or ambush, but a sense of Roman soldiers in movement to add to the story at hand.For our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/Support the showPatreonKo-FiRead our booksRex: The Seven Kings of RomeYour Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.