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Trajan's Dacian Wars

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by bobandkate (U3816271) on Tuesday, 16th May 2006

  I am doing some research into Trajan's wars in Dacia, and the formation of the province in the first decade of the 2nd C AD. Does anyone know of a particularly good factual book on this topic? I am especially interested in the local Dacian King Decebalus and what is known about how he died. Was it suicide or was he slain by the Romans? Does anyone know what the evidence for his death is?,
  Thanks,
  Kate.
  

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Colquhoun (U3935535) on Wednesday, 17th May 2006

  The Dacian king's death is depicted on Trajan's column in Rome.

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  Posted by Legatus-Legionis (U4006884) on Thursday, 18th May 2006

  Re death of Decebalus:on page 5 of ROMAN AUXILLIARY CAVALRYMAN AD 14-193 (Warrior 101) by Nic Fields (Osprey publishing) there is a photo of Trajan's Column (scene CXLV). The comments are "Tiberius Claudius Maximus, a cavalryman in ala II Pannoniorum,captures the dying Decebalus,king of the Dacians".There is also a brief note on this page saying that Decebalus committed suicide. Also on pages 8-9 of LIVES OF THE LATER CAESARS (various authors including old Romans)translated by A.R. Birley and David Magie (my copy published by The Folio Society by arrangement with Harvard University Press) there is a brief history of Trajans two Dacian wars. It says that Decebalus commits suicide, his head is cut off and presented to Trajan at Ranisstorum. Trajan sends the head to Rome where it is thrown down the Gemonian steps.The head being hurled down the Gemonian steps is also reported on page 224 of Chronicle of the World ( published by Longman, numerous writers). Here it states that Decebalus 'reportedly' commits suicide by cutting his own throat with a curved dagger.

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  Posted by bobandkate (U3816271) on Thursday, 18th May 2006

  Many thanks for this information Legatus-Legionis. It is very helpful,
  Regards,
  Kate.
  

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