The Triumph and Return to Spain
After this battle, Spurius participated in a well-deserved triumph under Flaccus. Not everyone got to take part in triumphs, so this was a great honor for Spurius. The legions in Spain threatened mutiny multiple times over the bad conditions and the length of their service. Spurius wasn’t likely one of the mutineers as he quickly returned to Spain to fight under Praetor Gracchus.
Here Spurius and the legions took the strong city of Munda by an unexpected night assault, something unthinkable without trust between a commander and his officers. In contrast with Spurius’ early campaign with Cato, Gracchus’ campaign had a few large battles a city assaults that were widely advertised to get other towns to surrender.
Though we don’t have many official names for these battles, they were still fought, with Spurius encouraging his men to victory. By the end of Gracchus’ campaign, much of southeast Spain was again under Roman control, this time with a firmer and more respected peace.
Spurius again rose through the ranks, being promoted to the first centurion of the triarii. The triarii were the rear line of the Roman legion composed of the richest, oldest and most veteran fighters. Spurius certainly wasn’t among the richest, but was undoubtedly among the most veteran of the triarii. Being the first spear (centurion of the 1st maniple of the triarii) was about the highest honor a lowborn/poor soldier could attain.
After this campaign, Spurius returned to his farm once again, this time in his 50s. In the brief periods between campaigns, he was able to find a wife and have multiple children. His small farm never faltered. Next, Spurius is seen making a plea to the Consuls of 171 BCE. Here he is giving a report of his military service and accomplishments in hope of a high-ranking position for the next campaign.
How We Know Spurius’ Story
It is this speech that the historian Livy recorded that gives us all the data we have on Spurius Ligustinus. After his speech, the Consuls heartily thanked Spurius for his service and awarded him the rank of first spear centurion of the triarii.
A grizzled veteran, we can assume that Spurius fought in the decisive battle of Pydna against the Macedonians, again in Greece. We have no record, but we can assume that Spurius survived and was able to finally settle down with his family and tend his fields. The next major wars occurred as Spurius would have been in his 70s, so a continuation of service was unlikely.
It’s a shame that we don’t know how and where Spurius won his awards, but we know that he must have won them. A soldier wouldn’t dare lie to Consuls about military awards. Spurius Ligustinus won the coveted Civic Crown 6 times during his campaigns. The only men who may have won the award more times fought in the age of Roman kings, a time known for embellished or outright mythical tales.
One of the Greatest Individual Soldiers Rome Ever Saw
His Civic Crowns directly point to his ability as a centurion as well. Centurions were the experienced men expected to lead the men to victory but also keep them alive. At least 6 times, Spurius saved the life of one of the men under his command and held the ground, killing the enemy and any other challengers. He must have been truly loved and respected by the men he led so many to give testimony for each of his awarded crowns.
Few men served in as many campaigns as Spurius until the time of Caesar, and even then, there was a degree of rotation of the troops so few men actually served into their 50s and still signed up for more. Spurius won Rome’s highest honors practically every time he went on campaign, and was a centurion just two years into his service.
He was awarded 34 other medals for bravery as well. Though we hear him reciting his service record, he was still likely very famous throughout Rome. As mentioned, the Romans loved their military awards, and having 6 Civic Crowns would make him one of the most respected men in the republic.
A winner of the Civic Crown could wear it at any point and everyone in a room, senators included, was expected to stand out of respect. The best seats at the circus or arena were saved for such heroes too. It was not considered at all boastful to hang every single award in the most prominent area of a home either. 40 total medals might have had Spurius make an addition to his cottage to make room.
The Consul Cincinnatus was a legendary figure in Roman history. In a time of crisis in his retirement, Cincinnatus accepted the position of dictator to lead Roman forces to victory. When all was said and done, he relinquished his power and went back to his fields.
Spurius Ligustinus would have been similarly legendary for he was undeniably famous, but simply returned dutifully to his farm after every campaign before signing up for the next one. This humble sense of duty would get lost as Rome moved onto the path of an Empire and people grabbed power when they could. For Livy, who lived through the dictatorship of Caesar and saw the squabble of power that led to the creation of an Empire, Spurius Ligustinus was an example of the good old days of Roman virtue.