Cantabrian Revolt,
29 BC

Marian Romans vs. Ancient Spanish

Carrhae - Cantabrian Revolt - Teutoberger Wald - Emesa - Adrianople - Chalons - Dara

Prior to the wars in Cantabria, the Roman military became familiar with the warlike characteristics of the peoples of northern Spain (the Cantabri) because of their involvement as mercenaries on various sides of the region's conflicts. Although justified by Roman historians as retribution for Cantabrian incursions on the Roman controlled Meseta Central, the campaigns may have been the result of a lust after Austurian gold and Cantabrian iron as well. The emperor Caesar Augustus went to Hispania, establishing his base in Segisama. According to the Roman historian Dio Cassius, the tactics of the Cantabri and Astures were of guerrilla warfare, avoiding direct attacks on the Roman forces because of their inferior numbers. Their better knowledge of the difficult and mountainous terrain allowed them to conduct quick surprise strikes with ranged weapons, with ambushes followed by quick retreats causing great damage to the Roman columns and supply lines. The quality of the Cantabrian enemy was such that it obliged Augustus to deploy a number of legions in the conflict. The emperor Augustus, a year after his arrival, had to retire to Tarragona, presumably because of sickness. The conflict, however, lasted more than 10 years and it was, besides the campaign against the Illyrians from 35 BC to 33 BC, the only directed personally by Augustus against barbarian groups. There was a tradition among the Cantabri soldiers to commit suicide rather than be taken into slavery. They did this by sword, by fire, or, primarily, through poisoning themselves with potions made for the purpose.

Initial Deployment

This is a view of the initial setup for the Cantabrians. They are deployed
between steep hills and in front of their hill fort.

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This view of the Roman setup shows the Romans deployed
in a deep formation between the steep hills.

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This is a view of both sides' initial setup -
Ancient Spanish (left) and Marian Romans (right).

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This view is centered on the limited good going between steep hills
where much of the battle will be focused.

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Cantabrian Revolt Results

(Rome 2, Ancient Spanish 5)

Round	Roman	Barbarian
1	Robie Fisher (2)	Rich Baier (22)
2	Bill Fisher (22)	Peter Sherfif (2)
3	Jonathan Bostwick (4)	Jon Baldwin (20)
4	Jason Bostwick (24)	David Bostwick (2)
5	John Passiglia (3)	Alex Bostwick (21)
6	Jack Sheriff (1)	Ron Giampapa (23)
7	John Manning (0)	Tim Hladon (24)

Battle Highlights

Roman Jason Bostwick (left) tries to put down his dad David Bostwick's (right) revolt.

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Peter Sheriff surveys the field. His Spanish hold a strong position, but he is worried about the gap between the hills.

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Bill Fisher (left) prepares to move his Roman legion forward.

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This is a view of Bill and Peter's battle line, Romans (left) attack the Cantabri (right) who hold the hill.

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This is a close-up look of the beautiful Marian shield wall preparing to storm the hill, while a mass of troops swirl in the background in the gap between the hills.