Battle of Lake Constance

Summary

The Battle of Lake Constance (Latin: Lacus Brigantinus) was a small naval battle between Roman forces and Celtic tribes in the spring of 15 BC.[1]

Battle of Lake Constance
Part of the Roman campaigns under Augustus to conquer the northern Alps

Roman trireme
Date-15;
2039 years ago
 (-15)
Location47°35′37″N 9°25′30″E / 47.593710°N 9.424906°E / 47.593710; 9.424906
Belligerents
Roman Empire Celtic tribes
Commanders and leaders
Tiberius
Units involved
10,000 legionaries

Background edit

The battle occurred during the Roman campaigns under Augustus to conquer the northern Alps and regions south of the Danube river. During the last phase of the campaigns in the spring of 15 BC two Roman armies under Drusus and Tiberius set out to subdue Raetia. Drusus' army started from northern Italy crossing the Alps and moving towards the present-day city of Augsburg. Tiberius assembled his army of probably 10,000 legionaries and a similar number of auxiliar troops in the southwest of Germany (Roman army camp in Dangstetten). Then he moved eastwards ultimately heading towards Augsburg as well.[1]

When Tiberius reached Lake Constance, he ordered the construction of a small fleet of transport vessels, allowing him to cross and control the lake. According to Strabon, the Vindelici, a group of Celtic tribes native to the area, attacked the Roman vessels on the lake in a naval engagement but were defeated. Cassius Dio only tells of the construction of transport ships and does not mention any naval engagement.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Junkelmann, Marcus (1986). Die Legionen des Augustus. Der römische Soldat im archäologischen Experiment (in German). Vol. 33. Verlag Philipp von Zabern, Mainz. pp. 69–71. ISBN 3-8053-0886-8. Kulturgeschichte der antiken Welt

Further reading edit

  • Dio, Cassius (1917). Roman History. Vol. VI. Loeb Classical Library. Book XIV, Chapter 22
  • Strabon (1924). Geographika. Vol. III. Loeb Classical Library. Book VII, Chapter 1