This is "Maiden Castle" - In about 44 AD, Vespasian, while on independent campaign in the south of Britannia, took this fort and many others and so secured the south coast for Rome and a new Kingdom for Cogidubnus.
It was just before dawn, Cogidubnus' right knee touched Teres's left, as they waited on their horses for the signal.
"I can't believe it," the Briton said to Teres, the Ala Prefect, "An hour to take this fort?"
"Maybe less, prince, maybe less," Teres replied.
"And with only one cohort?"
"It's enough, and when they break-in, it will be our turn."
Why did Nero select Vespasian as the commander to put down the Judaean Revolt?
Politically, it seemed that Vespasian was a safe choice. As we will see later, few men seemed less ambitious. Vespasian's lack of political ambition made Nero feel safe. On the other hand, Nero knew that Vespasian had the military skills to do the job. His reputation as a soldier and commander still shone brightly.
In his early 30's, Vespasian had commanded one of the four legions during the invasion of Britannia in 43 AD. His was the II Augusta, based in what is now Strasberg. During the campaign, Vespasian played a critical role at the victory at the Battle of Medway in 43 that decisively defeated the Britons. After Medway, in late 43, he was given an independent command to clear the southern coast. In this campaign, he reduced many forts along the south, crushing all opposition and putting Cogidubnus on the throne. He was given a triumph by Claudius on his return and made consul.
How had he gained the skills?
Like most young high-born Romans, aged 18 in 27 AD, Vespasian joined the legions as a Military Tribune. A Military Tribune was a minor staff role supporting the Legate. Young men from aristocratic families usually spent only six months in this role. Lasting only six months and acting as only a messenger, there was no opportunity to learn how to become a soldier. No Emperor wanted to have a possible rival from an influential family who was also a skilled soldier.
But, Vespasian did not spend six months in Thrace. He spent three years. Middle-class men, like Vespasian, were not seen as a potential threat to the Imperial family. If they showed talent, they were encouraged to become professional soldiers. An excellent example of this middle-class option is Pliny, the Elder, a great friend of Vespasian. Pliny served for more than a decade in the Legions, where he learned his trade from Corbulo. Later, Pliny mentored Vespasian's son, Titus. Vespasian's three years in Thrace must have been crucial in developing his high levels of skill as a commander. Unfortunately, we know nothing about what he did there. What then can we assume?
When Vespasian arrived in Thrace in 27 AD, the governor of Moesia, Gaius Poppaeus Sabinus, had been mopping up after a significant revolt in 26. With high levels of unrest, there would have been many opportunities for independent action. Cavalry is the ideal type of unit for this type of work. Vespasian's immediate display of command skills in Britannia suggests that he had an independent command in Thrace. The selection of an Ala of Thracian cavalry for the invasion reinforces this assumption.
We can assume that his reputation in Thrace, known to all then but not to us now, must have played a vital part in why Claudius chose Vespasian in 43. For, as we will see later from his marriage to a compromised woman of a lower rank than even he, Vespasian was not among the social elite. His selection for this important command had to be rooted in his military reputation.
A second factor for being selected for the invasion forces was his relationship with Cogidubnus. It had taken ten years, ten legions and genocide to settle Gaul. Claudius's future as Emperor depended on a quick and lasting victory. So, pacifying the south shore and thus ensuring constant access by sea was critical to this strategy. The plan was to insert Cogidubnus as a client king. Cogidubnus, the son of King Verica of the Atrebates, a southern tribe, was brought up in Italy in the Familia Antonia. In this context, it makes sense for Vespasian to have the prince in his charge and so be given the independent command in the south. The success of this strategy was noted by Tacitus, who remarks, "Some of the states were given to king Cogidubnus, who lived down to our day a most faithful ally." In 60, Cogidubnus holds the south against Boudicca. Later, in 69, when Vespasian put his hat in the ring for Emperor, Cogidubnus holds the south for Vespasian.
But, for all Vespasian's opportunities to learn on the job, I think that he must have been a "natural" soldier. Like a great artist or athlete, he must have had a set of innate skills. There are many such commanders in history. Napoleon's army was full of them. Arthur Currie, the Canadian real estate salesman and commander of the Canadian Corps in the Great War, was another. Such men needed only the briefest exposure to "see" the picture and to know what best to do.
In closing, we still cannot also underestimate the power of Vespasian's ability to win trust and support. The sources tell us that Caenis and Narcissus backed his candidacy for command of Legio II. We also know that, after the campaign, Claudius uniquely rewarded Vespasian. Not only did he give Vespasian a triumph, but also a Consulship and brought Vespasian's son, Titus, to court as a companion for the Emperor's son Britannicus.
Nero chose Vespasian because he was both safe and talented, a rare combination.
But, I think he might have overlooked Vespasian's role in the death of Caligula and the accession of Claudius. More of this in the next post
