Decidius Saxa

Lucius Decidius Saxa (died 40 BC), sometimes mistaken as Decidus, was a Roman general in the 1th century BC. In 42 BC, he was, together with Gaius Norbanus Flaccus, appointed by Mark Antony to lead the recognition force of eight legions into Thrace before the Battle of Philippi. He later went on to be appointed pro-Antonine governor of Syria by the triumvirate while Norbanus was elected consul in 38 BC, recognizing the great prestige of the victory over the liberatores. He was heavily defeated and deposed, when Pacorus led a Parthian intervention in Syria in 40 BC. He fled to Cilicia where he was captured and executed by the Parthians. His legions reportedly suffered heavy defeats and several of his aquilae were seized, being returned to Rome first after a brief Roman war on Parthia in 20 BC after negotiations by then Roman emperor Augustus. The eagles were returned together with those captured from Marcus Licinius Crassus in 53 BC, a great propaganda victory for Rome.

References

* Ronald Syme: "Who was Decidius Saxa?" In: "Journal of Roman studies" 27 (1937), p. 127–137 = the same: "Roman Papers", vol. 1, Oxford 1979, p. 31–41.