'Europaean' Soldiers and the Severan Siege of Hatra*

A recent study challenges the notion that 'Europaean' soldiers mentioned during the Severan siege of Hatra were Syrians from Dura-Europos, instead supporting the traditional view that they originated from Europe. The research argues that this force was substantial and included troops experienced in siegecraft, providing a fresh perspective on Roman military strategy in the Second Parthian War. By re-examining known Roman military dispositions and the aftermath of the war, the study suggests that soldiers from Moesia would have been particularly useful for assembling an assault force. This work offers new insights into the composition and tactics of Roman armies during this critical period.

Kennedy, D. L. (2024). ‘Europaean’ Soldiers and the Severan Siege of Hatra*. Settlement and Soldiers in the Roman near East, XI–397. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003555100-11