Punitive Expeditions

Abstract “Punitive expedition” refers to a military operation undertaken to “punish” an enemy, usually for some sort of perceived insult to the honor or reputation of an imperial power. The term was used generally in connection with territories that were already colonies or would soon become colonies. The practice itself is quite old, as there are numerous instances of punitive expeditions launched by the Assyrians, the Roman Empire, and the Mongols. The Romans waged frequent punitive expeditions in response to perceived attacks on or threats to their power. Julius Caesar launched several punitive expeditions during his time in Gaul, one against the Armorica and the Veneti in 56 BCE , one against the Suebi in 55 BCE , and one across the English Channel in 55 BCE . Many of the operations that followed the First Jewish War (66–73 CE ) could also be considered punitive expeditions. An example from the history of Mongol expansion would be their assault on the sultanate of Kwarizm in central Asia in 1219. In that case, a Mongol caravan which had successfully negotiated a treaty with the sultan was attacked on its way back to Mongolia by the local governor. Jack Weatherford quotes a Persian observer, Juvaini, in stating that the attack not only wiped out a Mongol caravan, but it “laid waste a whole world” (2004: 106). Genghis Khan's response was the complete conquest of Kwarizm and the utter annihilation of its forces.