Octavian's military campaigns in Illyricum

Octavian's military campaigns in Illyricum
Part of Wars of Octavian

The area covered by the military campaigns of Octavian
DateFrom 35 B.C. to 33 B.C.
Location
Result Roman victory
Belligerents
Romans
Allies:
Taurisci, Norici[1]
Iapodes[2] (Moentini, Avendeatae, Arupini)[3]
Pannonians (Segestans)
Dalmatae[2]
Daesitiates[2]
Commanders and leaders
Octavian (WIA)
Vipsanius Agrippa[4]
Fufius Geminus[5]
Statilius Taurus[6][7]
Messalla Corvinus[8]
Marcus Helvius[9][10]
Menodorus (Menas)[11]
Verzo Executed[1][12]
Testimus Executed[6][13]
Units involved
3 legions[14]
A fleet[1]
3.000 Iapodes (35 BC.);[15]
12.000 Dalmatae (34 BC.);[12]

Octavian's military campaigns in Illyricum (35-33 B.C.) constitute the first attempt by the future emperor Augustus to occupy the Illyrian area, shortly after achieving a definitive victory over Sextus Pompey and before the final and decisive clash with his fellow triumvir, Mark Antony.[16]

In the course of the Illyrian War, Octavian conquered (in addition to some less serious foes) the Iapodes, parts of Pannonia around Segestica/Siscia, as well as the Delmatae. However, the majority of the future provinces of Pannonia and Dalmatia were subdued by Tiberius during his Pannonian War (12–9 BC) and Pannonian-Dalmatian Rebellion (AD 6–9). These conflicts were initiated by preparations for war against Maroboduus, particularly through the recruitment of soldiers in Illyricum.[17]

Suetonius tells us that Octavian:

"[...] during the war in Dalmatia he was also wounded: in combat he was struck by a stone in the right knee, in another clash he was wounded in the leg and arms by the collapse of a bridge."

— Suetonius, Augustus, 20).
  1. ^ a b c Wilkes (1969, p. 53).
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference AppianoIlliriche17 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference AppianoIlliriche16 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference AppianoIlliriche20 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Dione49,38,1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference AppianoIlliriche27 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Dione49,38,4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference MessallaCorvino was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wilkes51 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference AppianoIlliriche21 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference AppianoIlliriche22 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b Appian, The Illyrian wars, 25).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference AppianoIllirica26 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference Gonzales720 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference AppianoIlliriche19 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Wilkes (1969, pp. 46–58).
  17. ^ Boscs, Francoise Des; Kos, Marjeta Šašel. "The final phase of the Augustan conquest of Illyricum". Antichità Altoadriatiche.