How Did the Romans Treat Their Prisoners of War?
A story of power, fear, and, at times… mercy.
Vercingetorix, a renowned Gallic chief and military leader was captured by Julius Caesar after his victory at the Battle of Alesia. Caesar, who knew the symbolic value of capturing the brave and valiant Gallic warrior, decided to make a powerful statement to assert Roman dominance and deter future uprisings.
Vercingetorix was paraded through the streets of Rome in a grand display of Roman authority during Caesar’s triumphal procession, an event reserved for the celebration of major military victories. This public humiliation of a once respected leader was followed by a six-year imprisonment and subsequent execution through a ceremonial hanging at the temple of Jupiter. Such was the fate of the prisoners of war in ancient Rome.
Warriors, throughout history, preferred death over dishonor. Captured soldiers were viewed with contempt. Often, POWs were used as slaves or tortured and maimed for amusement if not killed. Philip of Macedon, in 352 BC, ordered the drowning of 3,000 prisoners taken from the Phocis, a Greek city-state. The stories of Roman POWs are not much different.
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