Stephen Dando-Collins challenges the Sicilian explanation because no ancient source identifies a Tenth Legion aboard Agrippa's ships in the proposed battles. Those engagements also occurred away from the Strait of Messina. His alternative connects Fretensis with Caesar's crossing of the Strait of Otranto in 48 BC. Limited transport required the army to cross in separate waves, leaving Antony to bring additional legions from Brundisium. The reconstruction proposes that the Tenth was among veteran units left with Antony, partly because discontent and previous mutinies made their handling difficult. A later reference to Antony having led the Tenth is used as further support. This remains an argument about incomplete evidence, rather than a demonstrated identification.
Notable Point · 3:10:11-3:12:59
An Otranto hypothesis for the name Fretensis
The proposed Otranto connection uses transport constraints, veteran unrest and Antony's command to challenge the traditional Sicilian lineage.