Delve into the world of Roman Special Forces with Dr. Simon Elliot, examining their evolution, tactics, and missions. Explore the secretive roles of scouts, speculatores, and exploratores in the Roman military. Uncover historical events like Queen Cartamandua's extraction and the mysterious interactions with groups like the Arioni in Britain.
Roman Special Forces included unique units like Speculari and Exploratories for reconnaissance and covert ops.
Protektorii domestici were officers serving specialized missions closely tied to imperial court.
Arioni functioned as unofficial exploratories in Roman Britain for intelligence gathering north of Hadrian's Wall.
Dr. Simon Elliot's research challenges traditional views on ancient Special Forces, exploring Roman military complexities.
Deep dives
Exploring LinkedIn Ads for B2B Marketing
LinkedIn ads are recommended for B2B marketers due to the platform's targeting capabilities, allowing access to over 70 million decision-makers. By using LinkedIn ads, businesses can effectively reach their target audience and deliver B2B messages to the right people.
Unveiling Ancient Roman Special Forces
Dr. Simon Elliot delves into the world of Roman Special Forces, examining unique military units like Speculari and Exploratories. Through primary sources, the discussion explores these units' roles and operations, challenging the modern definition of Special Forces to fit the Roman context.
Speculari: Roman Legionary Scouts
Speculari, Roman legionary scouts, played pivotal roles in Caesar's campaigns, aiding in critical situations like reuniting separated legions. While initially focusing on scouting duties, the term later encompassed various specialist roles and disappeared by the third century.
Exploratories: Roman Deep Penetration Specialists
Exploratories emerged as Roman deep penetration specialists, operating independently behind enemy lines for strategic missions like reconnaissance and disruption. Their unique role extended into clandestine missions, making them vital assets in gathering intelligence and executing covert operations.
Protektorii Domestici: Late Roman Eccentric Leaders
Protektorii domestici were officers closely tied to the imperial court, with individuals like Ammianus Marcellinus embodying a 'Roman James Bond' persona. These officers served significant roles in conducting specialized missions for the emperor while maintaining a notable link to the imperial center.
Arioni: Unofficial Roman Exploratories
Arioni, unofficial exploratories operating in Roman Britain, acted as intelligence-gathering resources north of Hadrian's Wall. Their involvement in clandestine activities and apparent loyalty shifts suggest a special forces-like role despite their informal designation and linkage to specific territories.
Dr. Simon Elliot's Comprehensive Roman Special Forces Analysis
Dr. Simon Elliot's extensive research and book on Roman Special Forces shed light on lesser-known military units and their significance in Roman warfare. By dissecting criteria and primary sources, the podcast episode delves into the complexities of defining ancient Special Forces, challenging traditional perceptions.
The Romans were renowned for their military prowess and skill. Their legions successfully conquered vast swathes of the Mediterranean world, led by battle-weathered centurions trained in the art of war and strategy. But did the Romans owe any of their military success to the actions of special forces? In short, did the Romans have an SAS?
In this episode of the Ancients Tristan Hughes is joined by friend of the show Dr Simon Elliott to explore whether or not the Romans employed elite SAS style units on their far-flung conquests and discover how they used specially trained scouts to carry out covert operations on the frontiers of Empire.
This episode was produced by Joseph Knight, and edited by Aidan Lonergan
Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code ANCIENTS - sign up here.