We are deep in the Second Decemvirate (c. 449-447 BCE) and Rome faces war on two fronts. The complications of this new political arrangement and the increasing pressure of armed conflict places the decemvirate under stress as they need to decide how to lead Rome while facing patrician opposition from the Senate. All the while, Rome’s enemies head closer…

Episode 113 – Farewell to the Roman Achilles

Into this fiery atmosphere, Lucius Siccius Dentatus re-enters the narratives of Livy and Dionysius. He is both well-known and well-loved and we find him serving with the decemvirs at the Sabine front. And its not long before he begins to voice his dissatisfaction with the decemvirs’ approach to power. According to Livy he proposes succession…

Our sources agree that Dentatus is murdered by his own and this episode is all about sifting through the details provided by Livy and Dionysius. Despite scholarly misgivings that Dentatus may be a fictionalised creation, there’s no denying that his presence in a historical narrative adds a certain exciting sheen to proceedings.

Things to tune in for:

• Duelling accounts the murder of Dentatus
• Murder investigations Roman style
• The intriguing qualities of the legate
• The amazing last stand of a plebeian hero

Looking to relive the highlights of Siccius Dentatus’ life? Check out our back catalogue:

• Episode 105 – The Roman Achilles
• Episode 106 – Spoiler Alert

Two legions in Rome

• Appius Claudius. Ap. f. M. n. Crassus Inregillensis Sabinus Pat – Cos. 471, 451
• Spurius Oppius Cornicen

Three legions against the Sabines

• Quintus Fabius M. f. M. n. Vibulanus Pat – Cos. 467, 465, 459
• Quintus Poetelius Libo Visolus
• Manius Rabuleius

Five legions against the Aequians

• Marcus Cornelius – f. Ser. n. Maluginenesis Pat
• Lucius Minucius P. f. M. n. Esquilinus Augurinus Pat – Cos. 458
• Marcus? Sergius Esquilinus Pat
• Titus Antonius Merenda
• Caeso Duillius Longus?

• Lucius Siccius Dentatus

• Dr Rad reads Livy 3.42-43
• Dr G reads Dionysius of Halicarnassus Rom. Ant. 11.25-27

Additional music and sound in this episode includes:

• an original composition for our podcast by the fabulous Bettina Joy de Guzman
• and additional sound effects from BBC Sound Effects Beta

Aniello Falcone c. 1640. Roman soldiers in the circus. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Not a Roman battle or ambush, but a sense of Roman soldiers in movement to add to the story at hand.

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