Lucius Petrosidius

Lucius Petrosidius (died October 54 BC)[1] was an Aquilifer of ancient Rome. He served as Eagle-bearer of Legio XIV Gemina of the Republican Roman Army during Gaius Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars. Lucius Petrosidius is mentioned only once in historical text in Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico, Book V.37, but holds great notability for being one of the only named Aquilifers in all of history. He upheld and died for the Aquila (Roman), "...most bravely fighting for the camp." - Gaius Julius Caesar, Commentari de Bello Gallico, Book V.37.

History

During Caesar's Gallic Wars, three legions were stationed in northern Gaul for the winter of 55 to 54 BC. One of these legions was Legio XIV Gemina, a young Roman Legion raised specifically by Caesar for his Gallic conquest. The legions were stationed among Gaulish tribes, and forced the tribes to give them quarter and food for the winter. Legio XIV Gemina, under the command of Quintus Titurius Sabinus and Lucius Aurunculeius Cotta, was stationed among the Eburones, a people who came to despise their Roman neighbors. The Eburones were led by two Kings, Cativolcus and Ambiorix, the later of which ambushed the legion.[2] This ambush is also known as the Battle at Atuatuca[3] or Ambiorix's revolt.

The ambush occurred in a valley just down the road from the legion's fort (Atuatuca). After nearly every Legionary had been slain, including both commanders, the few remaining Romans began to desperately fight their way back to the fort. Among this small handful of men was the legion's Aquilifer, Lucius Petrosidius. Petrosidius, realizing the end of his own life was near, hurled the Eagle within the intrenchments of the fort as he was surrounded and cut down by barbarians. He threw the Eagle out of the reach of the Eburones to be immediately recovered by the surviving Legionaries to prevent the Eagle from being captured. "This man chose to, with his last moments, throw the eagle to safety inside the camp, allowing himself to be killed in the process, rather than attempt to save his own life"[4] (Hayes 14). Legio XIV Gemina, Julius Caesar, and Rome would have all faced terrible disgrace if Lucius Petrosidius had not saved the Eagle from the barbarians.

Quote from Commentarii de Bello Gallico

Latin text: "Ex quibus Lucius Petrosidius aquilifer, cum magna multitudine hostium premeretur, aquilam intra vallum proiecit; ipse pro castris fortissime pugnans occiditur." - Gaius Julius Caesar, Commentarii de Bello Gallico, Book V.37[5]

English translation: "From which Lucius Petrosidius, an Eagle-bearer, although hard pressed by a great multitude, threw the eagle behind the wall. He was killed most bravely fighting for the camp."[6]

Importance of Lucius Petrosidius

Despite only being referenced once in historical text, Lucius Petrosidius' life was one of great significance, for he is one of the only Aquilifers in history to have his named preserved. As the Aquilifer, Lucius Petrosidius's selfless actions in a time of great peril represent and embody one of the most honorable and most prestigious positions in the Roman Military. He fought and died for the Eagle, for honor, and for Rome.[7]

See Also

Lucius Petrosidius plays a large supporting role in With the Eagles, a historical fiction novel written by Paul Anderson.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Rickard, J. "Battle of Atuatuca, October 54 B.C.". History of War. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  2. ↑ Gaius Julius Caesar (1914). "Book V". In Holmes, T. Rice. Commentarii de Bello Gallico (Online) (in Latin). Oxford: Clarendon Press. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Battle of Atuatuca, October 54 B.C.". www.historyofwar.org. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  4. ↑ Hayes, Justin S. (2014). "Jupiter's Legacy: The Symbol of the Eagle and Thunderbolt in Antiquity and Their Appropriation by Revolutionary America and Nazi Germany". Vassar College. Vassar College. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Gaius Julius Caesar: Commentarii de bello Gallico, Liber 5". www.forumromanum.org. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  6. ↑ Miller, Harry Llyod (1922). Directing Study: Educating for Mastery Through Creative Thinking. Charles Scribner's Sons. pp. 139–140.
  7. ↑ Gaius Julius Caesar (1914). "Book V". In Holmes, T. Rice. Commentarii de Bello Gallico (Online). Oxford: Clarendon Press.
  8. ↑ Anderson, Paul (June 1929). With the Eagles. Biblo-Moser. ISBN 9780819601001.
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