On Evaluating the Reasons for the Revolt of Antonius Saturninus

Abstract

The article examines the reasons for the military mutiny led by the governor of Upper Germany, Lucius Antonius Saturninus, against the Emperor Domitian at the beginning of 89 AD. It is argued that the rebellion came as a complete surprise to the princeps, since there were no evident reasons for the outbreak of the riot. The article points out the extreme tendentiousness of ancient sources, which reflected the official version of this event and the purposeful defamation of the rebel commander post factum. The author comes to the conclusion that if the personal reasons that caused Saturninus to lead the mutiny existed, then they played a secondary role. His troops opposed the emperor mainly because of the dissatisfaction of soldiers and officers with the end of the Roman conquests in Germany and Domitian’s intention to send them to a difficult and dangerous war in the Danube area. The rebellion was defeated primarily because, contrary to the year 69, there was no crisis of power in the Roman Empire, Domitian’s position as the head of the state was indisputable, and his popularity among the greater part of the army was stable. Therefore, the uprising of the troops of Upper Germany was of a local nature, it found no support in the armies of the neighboring provinces, and was quickly suppressed by Saturninus’ colleague, the Legate of Lower Germany, Lappius Maximus.