- Gnaeus Hosidius Geta
Gnaeus Hosidius Geta was a Roman senator and general who lived in the 1st century. Geta was a
praetor some time before 42. In 42, commanding a legion, probably theLegio VIIII Hispana in theAfrica Province , he was a part ofGaius Suetonius Paulinus ' campaigns intoMauretania .Geta defeated
Sabalus , a chief of the Mauri, twice, and after gathering as much water as could be carried, pursued him into the desert. Sabalus' forces were more used to the conditions and the legion's water began to run out. A native friendly to the Romans persuaded Geta to perform a rain ritual used by his people and rain began to fall. The Romans' thirst was relieved and the Mauri, seeing the heavens come to their enemies' aid, surrendered.Geta and his legion were part of the
Roman conquest of Britain , led byAulus Plautius , the following year. Geta was almost captured in theBattle of the Medway in the early part of the campaign, but recovered and turned the battle so decisively that he received the "ornamenta triumphalia ", which was unusual as he had not yet been aconsul . An inscription found inRome reveals that he became suffect consul in 49.Geta married, but the name of his wife is unknown. He had a daughter called Hosidia Geta. Hosidia married
Marcus Vitorius Marcellus , a man of consular rank and a friend of the poetStatius . Hosidia and Marcellus had a son calledGaius Vitorius Hosidius Geta .References:
*
Cassius Dio , "Roman History" [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/60*.html#9 60.9, 20] , [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/60*.html#20 60.20]
* William Smith (1870), "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology" [http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/1637.html Vol 2 p. 529-530]External links
* [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/britannia/boudica/hosidiusgeta.html Hosidius Geta] at [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/index.html Encyclopaedia Romana]
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