Northern Africa 85 AD: Revolt of the Nasamones

19 Feb 20AD Tacfarinas War 28 Jan 44AD Roman Mauretania 13 May 68AD Macer’s Rebellion 20 Dec 69AD Year of Four Emperors 2 Apr 70AD Garamantian War 9 Mar 85AD Revolt of the Nasamones 21 Feb 100 Empire of Aksum

In around 85 AD heavy Roman taxation in Cyrenaica pushed the North African desert tribe of the Nasamones to rebellion. Despite defeating the provincial governor in battle, the Nasamones were quickly routed and massacred in a Roman counterattack while they plundered his camp.

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70? AD Valerius Festus expedition ▲

In 70 AD Valerius Festus, legatus of the Legio III Augusta in Africa, defeated the Garamantian attack on Leptis Magna. Although the Garamantes had historically deterred access to their country by filling up the wells with sand, the Romans now discovered a short four-day passage into the Garamantian heartland. Little else is known about this expedition except that Roman trade with the Garamantes increased after this date, and that the Garamantes were still regarded as an unconquered people by Tacitus (who published his History in 109). in wikipedia

75 AD Limes Tripolitanus ▲

In 75 AD, under Vespasian, the Romans began constructing fortifications on the southern frontier of Africa Proconsularis, largely in response to the threat posed by the Garamantes. The Romans would continue to reinforce and extend these limes up into the 3rd century, helping protect the valuable province against raids from nomadic tribes. in wikipedia

85? AD Revolt of the Nasamones ▲

In around 85 AD the North African desert tribe of the Nasamones rebelled against Roman taxation in Cyrenaica, killing the tax collectors and defeating governor Gnaeus Suellius Flaccus. However, after plundering Flaccus’ camp, they gorged themselves on his wine and provisions, leaving themselves vulnerable to a counterattack. Flaccus massacred them all, prompting an elated Emperor Domitian to make the exaggerated claim to the Senate that he had “forbidden the Nasamones to exist.” in wikipedia