Decimation

Decimation (Latin: decimatio; decem = "ten") was a form of military discipline used by senior commanders in the Roman Army to punish units or large groups guilty of capital offences, such as cowardice, mutiny, or desertion. The method involved the selection and execution of one in every ten soldiers in a cohort. This extreme form of discipline was occasionally used in the Roman Republic and early Roman Empire and was intended as a means to restore military discipline and deter others from committing similar offences.

Origins and Procedure

The practice of decimation can be traced back to the earliest days of Rome. The first recorded instance of decimation occurred in 471 BC under the command of Appius Claudius Sabinus Regillensis. The procedure of decimation involved dividing the cohort into groups of ten. Soldiers would draw lots, and the one who drew the short straw was executed by his nine comrades, either by stoning or clubbing. This method ensured that the punishment was not only a personal tragedy for the executed soldier but also a psychological trauma for the nine who had to execute their comrade, thereby reinforcing the seriousness of their collective failure.

Historical Instances

One of the most notable instances of decimation occurred in 71 BC, during the Third Servile War, under the command of the Roman general Crassus. After a defeat at the hands of Spartacus' rebel slave army, Crassus is reported to have decimated a legion to restore discipline. Another well-documented case was in 17 CE, when the legate Lucius Apronius decimated a portion of his legions after a defeat in Germania.

Impact and Criticism

The practice of decimation was criticized even in ancient times for its brutality and the arbitrary nature of the punishment. Some Roman writers, such as Cicero and Julius Caesar, expressed their disapproval of the practice, favoring other methods of discipline. Caesar, in particular, is known for his leniency and for using decimation sparingly, if at all. The effectiveness of decimation as a disciplinary measure is debated among historians. While it certainly instilled fear, it could also breed resentment among the ranks and was not always successful in restoring discipline.

Decline and Legacy

By the late Roman Empire, the practice of decimation had largely fallen out of use, replaced by other forms of military punishment. However, the term "decimation" has survived into modern times, often used metaphorically to describe any process of severe selection or drastic reduction in numbers.

See Also

• Military discipline
• Roman Army
• Punishment in ancient Rome

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