Corocotta: Difference between revisions
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==Interpretations== |
==Interpretations== |
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Whether Corocotta was bandit or an anti-Roman rebel leader has been a matter of dispute. Dio Cassius simply describes him as a bandit. The name "corocotta" seems to |
Whether Corocotta was bandit or an anti-Roman rebel leader has been a matter of dispute. Dio Cassius simply describes him as a bandit. The name "corocotta" seems to be a variant of [[crocotta]], used to refer to a type of canine-like beast, most likely a [[hyena]].<ref name = "pete"/><ref> D. Braund, “Corocottas: Bandit and Hyena,” LCM 5 (1980), 13–14</ref> [[Pliny the Elder]] says it is a cross between a hyena and a lion, though the term may also have been used for other similar animals.<ref>Thomas Grünewald, John Drinkwater (trans), ''Bandits in the Roman Empire: Myth and Reality'', Routledge, London, 2004, p.206</ref> |
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[[Adolf Schulten]]'s interpretation placed Corocotta in the context of the [[Cantabrian wars]] (29-19 BC), portraying him as a warrior who continued resistance to Roman power in northern Spain for some |
[[Adolf Schulten]]'s interpretation placed Corocotta in the context of the [[Cantabrian wars]] (29-19 BC), portraying him as a warrior who continued resistance to Roman power in northern Spain for some time after other leaders had given up. Schulten argues that he must have surrendered to Augustus at some time during the emperor's sojourn in the area c.26-25BC. Schulten also argues that the name is Celtic, probably related to that of the near-contemporary British leader [[Caractacus]]. This view has received widespread support in Spain since it was proposed in 1943.<ref>A. Schulten, ''Fontes Hispaniae Antiquae'', vol. V (The wars 72-19 BC), Barcelona, 1940, 198, 335.</ref><ref>A. Schulten, ''Los cántabros y astures y su guerra con Roma'', Madrid, 1943 (reed. 1962, 1969, 2000)</ref><ref>Joaquín González Echegaray, ''The Cantabrians'', 1997; Eduardo Peralta Labrador ''Cantabrians before Rome'' 2000)</ref> In this version Coracotta becomes a patriotic hero of resistance to Roman rule. Peter Michael Swan quotes F. Diego Santos describing him as "a Cantabrian guerrilla leader; his surrender possibly belongs to Augustus’ sojourn in Spain ca 15–14 B.C".<ref name = "pete">Peter Michael Swan, ''The Augustan Succession: An Historical Commentary on Cassius Dio's Roman History, Books 55-56 (9 BC-AD 14)'', Oxford University Press, 2004, p.347-8</ref> |
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In 2007 Alicia M. Canto argued that the text of Dio does not justify placing Corocotta in the context of Cantabrian resistance to Rome She suggests that Corocotta was merely a bandit, probably of North African origin<ref>A[licia]. M. Canto, [http://www.celtiberia.net/articulo.asp?id=1149 El testamento del cerdito Corocotta], 12 May 2007], Celtiberia.net (paper forthcoming).</ref>". |
In 2007 Alicia M. Canto argued that the text of Dio does not justify placing Corocotta in the context of Cantabrian resistance to Rome She suggests that Corocotta was merely a bandit, probably of North African origin<ref>A[licia]. M. Canto, [http://www.celtiberia.net/articulo.asp?id=1149 El testamento del cerdito Corocotta], 12 May 2007], Celtiberia.net (paper forthcoming).</ref>". |
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Revision as of 22:00, 7 February 2014
Corocotta was a guerrilla warrior or bandit in Cantabria during the 1st century BC, who, according to Dio Cassius, fought against Roman authority causing considerable depredation in the area. Dio Cassius says that Corocotta's depredations caused Augustus to offer a large reward for his capture. Corocotta himself came forward to receive it, impressing Augustus with his audacity. Dio Cassius is the only source for the story.
Story
Do Cassius tells the story as part of an account of Augustus's forgiving nature. He writes that:
"Besides these traits of his, people also recalled that he did not get blindly enraged at those who had injured him, and that he kept faith even with those who were unworthy of it. For instance, there was a robber named Corocotta, who flourished in Spain, at whom he [ Augustus ] was so angry at first that he offered a million sesterces to the man that should capture him alive; but later, when the robber came to him of his own accord, he not only did him no harm, but actually made him richer by the amount of the reward. (Dio Cassius LVI, 43, 3, transl. E. Cary, Loeb, in [1]
According to Peter Michael Swan the main purpose of the story is to contrast the clemency of Augustus with the vindictiveness of Dio's target, Septimius Severus.[1]
Interpretations
Whether Corocotta was bandit or an anti-Roman rebel leader has been a matter of dispute. Dio Cassius simply describes him as a bandit. The name "corocotta" seems to be a variant of crocotta, used to refer to a type of canine-like beast, most likely a hyena.[1][2] Pliny the Elder says it is a cross between a hyena and a lion, though the term may also have been used for other similar animals.[3]
Adolf Schulten's interpretation placed Corocotta in the context of the Cantabrian wars (29-19 BC), portraying him as a warrior who continued resistance to Roman power in northern Spain for some time after other leaders had given up. Schulten argues that he must have surrendered to Augustus at some time during the emperor's sojourn in the area c.26-25BC. Schulten also argues that the name is Celtic, probably related to that of the near-contemporary British leader Caractacus. This view has received widespread support in Spain since it was proposed in 1943.[4][5][6] In this version Coracotta becomes a patriotic hero of resistance to Roman rule. Peter Michael Swan quotes F. Diego Santos describing him as "a Cantabrian guerrilla leader; his surrender possibly belongs to Augustus’ sojourn in Spain ca 15–14 B.C".[1]
In 2007 Alicia M. Canto argued that the text of Dio does not justify placing Corocotta in the context of Cantabrian resistance to Rome She suggests that Corocotta was merely a bandit, probably of North African origin[7]".
Notes
- ^ a b c Peter Michael Swan, The Augustan Succession: An Historical Commentary on Cassius Dio's Roman History, Books 55-56 (9 BC-AD 14), Oxford University Press, 2004, p.347-8
- ^ D. Braund, “Corocottas: Bandit and Hyena,” LCM 5 (1980), 13–14
- ^ Thomas Grünewald, John Drinkwater (trans), Bandits in the Roman Empire: Myth and Reality, Routledge, London, 2004, p.206
- ^ A. Schulten, Fontes Hispaniae Antiquae, vol. V (The wars 72-19 BC), Barcelona, 1940, 198, 335.
- ^ A. Schulten, Los cántabros y astures y su guerra con Roma, Madrid, 1943 (reed. 1962, 1969, 2000)
- ^ Joaquín González Echegaray, The Cantabrians, 1997; Eduardo Peralta Labrador Cantabrians before Rome 2000)
- ^ A[licia]. M. Canto, El testamento del cerdito Corocotta, 12 May 2007], Celtiberia.net (paper forthcoming).
External links
- Template:Gr icon Cassius Dio's original
- Template:Es icon Article from El Mundo, a Spanish newspaper
- Template:Es icon Corocotta and the Cantabrian War
- Template:Es icon see "Tesis norteafricana"
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