Lucius Vorenus | |
|---|---|
 A page (p. 118) ofJulius Caesar'sCommentarii de Bello Gallico with description of actions of T. Pulfio & L. Varenus | |
| Allegiance | Julius Caesar |
| Rank | Centurion |
| Unit | Legio XI Claudia |
Titus Pullo | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | Julius Caesar, laterPompey |
| Rank | Centurion |
| Unit | Legio XI Claudia Legio XXIV Victrix Rapax |
| Conflicts | Battle of Pharsalus |
Lucius Vorenus andTitus Pullo[1] were twoRomancenturions mentioned in the personal writings ofJulius Caesar. Although it is sometimes stated they were members of the 11thLegion (Legio XI Claudia), Caesar never states the number of the legion concerned, giving only the wordsin ea legione ("in that legion"). All that is known is that the legion in which they served under Caesar was one commanded at the time byQuintus Cicero.
Vorenus and Pullo appear in Caesar'sCommentarii de Bello Gallico, Book 5, Chapter 44. The episode describes the two as centurions, approaching the first ranks, who shared a bitter personal rivalry, and takes place in 54 BC when theNervii attacked the legion underQuintus Cicero in their winter quarters in Nervian territory.
In an effort to outdo Vorenus, Pullo charged out of the fortified camp and attacked the enemy. Pullo cast hisjavelin into one of the enemies from a short distance, but his belt was simultaneously pierced by a spear, preventing him from drawing his sword, and he was surrounded by other Nervii. Just then, Vorenus, following Pullo from the fortifications, reached the site of the mêlée and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. After slaying one of the enemy and driving back the rest, Vorenus lost his footing on the irregular terrain. As the Nervii drew closer to him, Pullo came to his aid. After slaying many of their opponents, the two retreated to the fortifications amidst roaring applause from their comrades, or "covered with glory" as described by Caesar.[2][3]
Vorenus then disappears from history. However, it is known that in theCivil War of 49 BC Pullo was assigned to theXXI Victrix Rapax, a new Italian legion commanded by thelegateGaius Antonius. In 48 BC, Antonius was blockaded on an island and forced to surrender; Pullo was apparently responsible for most of his soldiers switching sides to fight forPompey. Later that year, he is recorded bravely defending Pompey's camp in Greece from Caesar's attack shortly before theBattle of Pharsalus.[4][failed verification]
 | This sectionmay containirrelevant references topopular culture. Please helpimprove it by removing such content and addingcitations toreliable,independent sources.(January 2024) |