| Decision Making And War Aims Essay, Research Paper
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Did Roman decision
making have inner logic and consistency? ?
Aims change and are
varied, we do not have enough information to dissect these aims correctly. ?
Principate following
pattern emerges ? Tribe raids Roman Territory ? Emperor decides to go to war,
defeats Tribe, tribe incorporate into empire or not.? Were there raids? Or Emperor showing off?? Did he hope to expand, or just an after
thought? ?
Commanders just went
to war ? that?s why there was a law to stop unauthorised wars 0 a lex
Iulia.? First encounter Teutones ?
results from an unprovoked attack beyond Alps 0 disregard for alleged defensive
value of natural frontiers. ?
Emperor decides to go
to war, not elected by people, he relies on standing army for support ? body
affected by decision.? Yes frontier
people may benefit from security, but no fun having army through the town.? War not really helpful to capital world or
civilian population. ?
War beneficial to
soldiers however ? booty and plunder, destruction ? Corbulo ?exhorted his
soliders to secure both glory and spoil? ?
Suppression of
internal unrest profitable as well 0 plunder Alexandria 215? valorous soldier promoted. ?
Great opportunity of
social and material increase ?
Dio shows importance
of financial gain ?
Standing army
incentive to fight and political will to use such an expense ? military glory
enhances the reputation of an emperor ? strengthen ties with troops ?
No officer class
constantly putting pressure on empire like modern military dictatorships, but
army put people in, only a commander of a friend.? Rank and file had very little to do with it.? Emperor was dependent on the army ?
respected by soldier and ruling classes if an effective warrior ? army always a
threat to ruling class. ?
Annexation profitable
if achieved without war ? annexation Iceni ?kingdom was plundered by
centurions, the royal house by slaves as if they had been captured in war? ?
Roman citizens did
particularly well in new annexes ? law etc. ?
Two groups benefit
from war are military and the Romans resident among the subject population. ?
No indication played
any role in formulating policy ? instruments of annexation and gained by it. ?
No interest group
suggesting war ? imperial will, obviously needed soldiers enthusiasm, but
Emperor made decision with helpful advice. ?
Advisor anything from
family and friends, senators to boorish upstarts.? No lobby groups persistent ? luck of the draw. ?
Conflict between
imperial advisers mainly on personal issues and not on policy of affairs of
state. ?
Must not underestimate
desire for military glory: Severeus merely pretended according to Dio,
conquered Mesopotamia for benefit of Syria.?
Real motive military glory.? Only
objection war from others would be waste of money ? no interest groups.
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