Joined Oct 2009
23,286 Posts | 99+
Maryland
The Roman soldiers Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo are best known to most people today as the heroes of HBO's Rome.
The historical inspirations for Vorenus and Pullo were just as memorable, though unfortunately not nearly as well known. All of our knowledge of them is gleaned from a few passing mentions in the writings of Julius Caesar.
In the winter of 54 BC, Vorenus and Pullo were both centurions in Legio XI, which was serving with Caesar in Gaul - this legion would become known as the Legio XI Claudia Pia in Imperial times. It was encamped in the territory of the Nervii, and was under the command of Quintus Tullius Cicero, younger brother of famous orator.
Caesar tells us that Vorenus and Pullo had long been rivals, each longing to become the primus pilus (chief centurion) of the legion. This tells us that they were hardened career-soldiers, probably in their 30s or 40s and having served in the legions since their teens. Both would have been brave, brutal, and ambitious men with many friends and admirers in the ranks of the Eleventh Legion.
Cicero and his depleted Legion were besieged in their winter camp by the warriors of the Nervii late in 54 or early in 53 BC. The subsequent incident involving Vorenus and Pullo revealed the virtuous qualities of Roman soldiers at their finest.
Despite their vicious rivalry, Vorenus and Pullo saved each other's lives during the battle. Pullo was cut down by a Gaul and would've been killed, had not Vorenus led a charge and driven away his attackers. Vorenus fought too far ahead and was himself stranded, but Pullo extracted him at the expense of several enemy lives. Both of them wounded and exhausted, they helped each other back to the camp amidst the applause of their soldiers and comrades. The contest as to which was the better soldier remained undecided.
Vorenus is not mentioned again, but Caesar claims that Pullo deserted to the Pompeian side shortly before the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC. Pullo fought with noted bravery at Dyrrhachium, leading a charge against his own former comrade. He and Vorenus both presumably fought at Pharsalus a month later. It is highly unlikely - but still feasible - that they could have met on the battlefield and settled their rivalry once and for all...
The historical inspirations for Vorenus and Pullo were just as memorable, though unfortunately not nearly as well known. All of our knowledge of them is gleaned from a few passing mentions in the writings of Julius Caesar.
In the winter of 54 BC, Vorenus and Pullo were both centurions in Legio XI, which was serving with Caesar in Gaul - this legion would become known as the Legio XI Claudia Pia in Imperial times. It was encamped in the territory of the Nervii, and was under the command of Quintus Tullius Cicero, younger brother of famous orator.
Caesar tells us that Vorenus and Pullo had long been rivals, each longing to become the primus pilus (chief centurion) of the legion. This tells us that they were hardened career-soldiers, probably in their 30s or 40s and having served in the legions since their teens. Both would have been brave, brutal, and ambitious men with many friends and admirers in the ranks of the Eleventh Legion.
Cicero and his depleted Legion were besieged in their winter camp by the warriors of the Nervii late in 54 or early in 53 BC. The subsequent incident involving Vorenus and Pullo revealed the virtuous qualities of Roman soldiers at their finest.
Despite their vicious rivalry, Vorenus and Pullo saved each other's lives during the battle. Pullo was cut down by a Gaul and would've been killed, had not Vorenus led a charge and driven away his attackers. Vorenus fought too far ahead and was himself stranded, but Pullo extracted him at the expense of several enemy lives. Both of them wounded and exhausted, they helped each other back to the camp amidst the applause of their soldiers and comrades. The contest as to which was the better soldier remained undecided.
Vorenus is not mentioned again, but Caesar claims that Pullo deserted to the Pompeian side shortly before the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC. Pullo fought with noted bravery at Dyrrhachium, leading a charge against his own former comrade. He and Vorenus both presumably fought at Pharsalus a month later. It is highly unlikely - but still feasible - that they could have met on the battlefield and settled their rivalry once and for all...
