https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0333440
Fascinating and hopefully of interest terest to others
Very interesting. One aspect that struck me but is not commented on is, given the bodies were dumped in a well, that suggests at best a lack of concern about contaminating a water source, at worst a deliberate desire to contaminate it. Both of which might suggest that those dumping the bodies are not local forces or very bothered about the long term consequences of fouling the water; perhaps therefore raiders rather than righteous imperial forces re-establishing control of the town versus a usurper. That said, I fully recognise that the Roman army, unless directly ordered by an emperor to restrain themselves, might dump bodies first, worry about rehabilitation of a town very much second.
Also interesting that they all seem to have suffered from an epidemic. No shortage of "plagues" in the records...
It is an interesting question as to why you'd send out troops to fight while they are suffering from TB or pneumonia. They'd struggle to patrol the ramparts, let alone fight. So, a desperate situation to put those men in the line.
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/skeleton-filled-well-in-croatia-likely-holds-remains-of-roman-soldiers-study-finds
Quote from: Erpingham on Oct 16, 2025, 09:09 AMIt is an interesting question as to why you'd send out troops to fight while they are suffering from TB or pneumonia. They'd struggle to patrol the ramparts, let alone fight. So, a desperate situation to put those men in the line.
Agreed, it is a little strange.
Another possibility is that these weren't soldiers killed in the battle. If they were ALL seriously ill, then they may have been sent to some farmhouse or similar, to keep them isolated from the main army.
Then when the opposing army turned up they may have been able to put up a feeble fight before being butchered.
Also a possibility...