Corocotta

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Corocotta was a spanish bandit (latin: tína lestén én Ibería) leader during the 1st century BC. His great achievement was the union of the disperse Cantabri clans in an alliance against the invading Roman armies, to the great exasperation of the powerful empire.

“

For instance, there was a robber named Corocotta, who flourished in Spain, at whom he [ Augustus ] was so angry at first that he offered a million sesterces to the man that should capture him alive; but later, when the robber came to him of his own accord, he not only did him no harm, but actually made him richer by the amount of the reward. Dio Cassius

”

He fought against Rome from the years 29 BC to 19 BC. The Roman historian Dio Cassius relates the story of this robber who caused numerous difficulties for the Roman Army. Such was his fame that during the campaign of Emperor Augustus in Cantabria from 26-25 BC, a price of 200,000 sesterii was put on his head. To the emperor's astonishment, none other than Corocotta himself walked into the Roman camp, presenting himself and demanding the reward. In a gesture to Corocotta's bravery, the Augustus let him go after granting him the money.