Campaigns in Pannonia, 35 BC–AD 9

Abstract

Abstract There was intermitted Roman interest in Illyria from the second century bc onward, but, when Augustus achieved sole mastery of the Roman empire in 31 bc , he made it a priority to secure Rome's east–west communications by pushing its empire to the Danube. The Pannonians precipitated matters by invading Istria; in response, the Romans annexed Noricum in 16. Agrippa campaigned in the Drava and Sava valleys in 13; on his death, command was assumed by Augustus’ stepson, Tiberius, who succeeded in subduing the Pannonians. While Roman attention was fixed on the Rhine frontier, in ad 6 the Pannonians and Dalmatians rose in revolt. Faced with guerrilla warfare, the Romans changed tactics and began to employ smaller, more agile units. The revolt was eventually put down in 9, and Pannonia and Dalmatia were made provinces.