Late in AD 6, the
Great Illyrian Revolt or
Bellum Batonianum began in Illyricum. In AD 7, probably late in autumn of early in winter, Silvanus was summoned by
Tiberius, who had been assigned to the command of the military situation in
Illyricum, to bring more forces to help suppress the revolt. The ancient writers do not state where these legions came from; however modern historians have deduced that he brought two (or possibly three) legions, possibly
Legio IV Scythica and
Legio V Macedonica, perhaps drawn from Syria. Regarding the year in which Silvanus arrived in Illyricum, the ancient writers all give the year AD 7, However, some modern historians have suggested a contradictory, and probably erroneous, 'amphibious landing' during AD 6. Nevertheless, there may have been an amphibious landing. For Paterculus clearly states “ (4) But the division of their forces which had swarmed out to meet the army which the consulars Aulus Caecina and Silvanus Plautius were bringing up from the provinces across the sea, surrounded five of our legions, together with the troops of our allies and the cavalry of the king (for Rhoemetalces, king of Thrace, in conjunction with the aforesaid generals was bringing with him a large body of Thracians as reinforcements for the war), and inflicted a disaster that came near being fatal to all. ”
Velleius Paterculus seems to suggest that Silvanus joined
Caecina Severus, the imperial legate of
Moesia, in his province before they marched together towards Illyricum. During the march, they were joined by a cavalry force of Thracians, led by King Rhoemetalces. This force was unexpectedly attacked en route by the enemy near the Volcaean marshes, in northern Pannonia near Siscia (modern Sisak), but successfully defeated them. Dio, however, does not mention Silvanus' involvement in this incident, while modern historians explicitly state that this event only involved Caecina and his Moesian forces. Once the two generals, Silvanus and
Caecina Severus, and their legions had joined forces and successfully reached Illyricum, they fought a major battle against the rebels near
Sirmium. The Roman forces were victorious, but suffered heavy losses.
Velleius Paterculus mentions the deaths of military tribunes, a number of prefects, a camp prefect and some centurions, including some of the front rank. No number is given of total deaths. Paterculus called this battle 'an almost deadly defeat' and states that the victory 'won more glory [for the soldiers] than was left over for their officers,' due to their failure to follow Tiberius' example and send out scouts to ascertain the location of the enemy. Once the men had had time to recover, Tiberius immediately split the forces into four, sending Caecina back to Moesia, and marching with Silvanus and the 'eastern legions' back to Sirmium where they wintered, and where Silvanus continued to operate from for the remainder of the conflict. though he does not mention Silvanus' role specifically. During AD 8, Dio relates that Silvanus personally led a successful campaign to defeat the Breucians, and won the allegiance of some other Illyrian tribes without a fight. In the final year of the revolt, AD 9, Silvanus remained in Illyricum, acting out of Sirmium. Dio states that his forces were ravaging Pannonia, which caused the remaining tribes to make terms. attested by the inscription which appears on Silvanus' tomb in Tivoli, Italy. == Family ==