SINGLE COMBAT WITH CONSEQUENCES

In Livy's Book Eight, he recounts the single combat of Titus Manlius, son of the consul, against a Volscian cavalry commander, one Gemius Maecius, in 340 BC. This particular case of single combat does not get much attention, however. The overriding matter of interest was the fact that as a consequence of his actions, ones which contravened the orders issued by his father, Manlius was beheaded in a severe example of patria potestas.

Murray Dahm

The year 340 BC had begun badly for Rome. Alexander of Epirus had invaded Italy in the south and the Romans' war with the Latin League, which had begun in 343 BC, continued. The Latins had also come into conflict with the Samnites further south. Ten leaders of the latin League were invited to Rome to air their grievances: they wanted equal representation since they provided half the armies fighting on Rome's behalf (the causes of the Social War had a long history). Arriving in Rome, the League leaders were advised not to make war on the Samnites since the Romans had a treaty with them (Livy, 8.5.1-3). This incensed the League leadership, especially the praetor Lucius Annius of Setia (modern Sezze, Italy), who demanded that Rome not treat the…

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Ancient Warfare (Digital) - 1 Issue, AW XVII.6

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