Augustan campaigns in the initial phase of the Cantabrian War and Roman artillery projectiles from the Monte Bernorio oppidum (Villarén, prov. Palencia)

Abstract

Augustan campaigns in the initial phase of the Cantabrian War and Roman artillery projectiles from the Monte Bernorio oppidum (Villarén, prov. Palencia)

The Cantabrian and Asturian Wars, led by the emperor Octavian Augustus, remain relatively unknown, despite their great political prominence at the time. The Monte Bernorio oppidum, in particular, staged a crucial victory for the military campaign, as recent archaeological excavations have revealed. This paper presents new data on the assault of the Roman legions, including weapon remains found during excavations, especially artillery projectiles used during the attack. Evidence for small-calibre artillery projectiles could prove the use of this kind of machine in the Early Roman Empire.