The Roman Navy and the Final Encirclement of the Cantabri

In addition to ground forces, the Roman navy is deployed to the Cantabrian coast from Gallia Aquitania, playing a crucial role in the conflict's resolution. By securing the coastline, the navy completes the encirclement of the Cantabri, effectively cutting off their escape and supply routes.

Roman Army Strength and Variability in Estimates

It is estimated that Rome deployed approximately 70,000 troops for the campaign, though figures vary among historians. Traditional calculations are based on a standard five-thousand-man legion, but these numbers do not account for auxiliary forces, which significantly increased total troop strength.

In reality, the Roman army likely exceeded 80,000 men, including legionaries and auxiliaries.

• Under the military reforms of Gaius Marius, a full-strength legion contained approximately 6,000 soldiers, totaling about 60,000 men across ten legions.
• However, by Augustus' time, a Roman legion was officially composed of 6,200 men, though actual numbers fluctuated between 5,000 and 8,000 due to various logistical and operational factors.

The combination of land and naval forces, along with overwhelming manpower and strategic encirclement, ensured Rome’s eventual victory over the Cantabrian resistance.