AUXILLAE: Vol. 2

AUXILLAE

A COMPENDIUM OF NON-LEGIONARY UNITS OF THE ROMAN ARMY

Volume II:

ALAE and CLASSIS

City Guide and Bibliography

Michael S. DuBois

Table of Contents

Alae

I Alae

Clibanarii

Schola

II Alae

III Alae

IV-V Alae

VI Alae

VII-VII Alae

IX-X Alae

XI-XV Alae

Cuneus

Equites

Equites Promoti

Equites Stablesiani

Numeri

Sarmatarum Gentilium

Classis

Notes

Guide to Roman Cities

Bibliography

ALAE

Ala originally meant wings in the Roman battle line, and it referred to those units from allied cities fighting with them. Of course, the Roman cavalry was also on the wings of the battle line, but the early republic referred to any unit, not from the legion as Alae. It gradually came to refer only to cavalry. The cavalry of the Republic was composed of nobles who could afford to raise and maintain their mounts themselves. The legion at this time was composed of heavy, light infantry and a small he reduced the amount of cavalry in the legion even more when he contingent of horse. The cavalry during this period was generally not very effective and seems to have acted as scouts and messengers. It is assumed that when several legions were acting together, that the cavalry would be formed together into a larger force. Marius changed this, in that also removed the light infantry formations. He depended on both these functions to be supplied by client nations or by mercenaries.

Caesar carried this forward even more. He has come down to us as an excellent horseman, and he had a keen appreciation to what cavalry could accomplish. In his campaigns he used formations of cavalry supplied by Germans, Gauls, and Spanish tribes. During the Principate these were further organized and standardized until by the Claudian Reforms, the auxiliary units of the Roman Army were similar in size and equipment.

An Ala, after the reforms set the size of auxiliary units, would be either a quingenaria or milliaria in size. A quingenaria would be made up of 495-528 troopers in 15-16 turmae. A milliaria would be composed of 1990-1056 troopers in 30-32 turmae. Each turmae was composed 33 men, divided into 10 man squadrons, each commanded by a decurio, with the entire turmae commanded by the most senior decurion. [1] Under the empire, Decurions were considered equal in rank to centurions in the legions, and probably higher than those of auxiliary infantry cohorts. Each Ala was commanded by a praefectus, the same as the auxiliary cohorts, but often these commanders were themselves higher ranking Romans,[2] as there was considerable status in commanding one of these units.

Starting in the 100's three turmae were attached to infantry cohorts forming Equitata units. Also, legions themselves received 4 turmae into their organizations giving both types of unit's greater flexibility in securing the borders against the low grade type of guerrilla warfare against barbarians. In the 200's the empire nearly collapsed under the assault of barbarians and seemingly constant Civil War. At it's lowest ebb, Gallienus (253-268) stripped all Legionary and Auxiliary cohorts of their cavalry formations and created a highly effective cavalry army. With this he, and those emperors who followed him, successfully recovered and revitalized the empire. After this, until the collapse of the empire in the west, the Roman Army would be composed of at least one third, to, at times, one half cavalry.

Return to index

Ala I ABASGORUM: Listed in the Notitia as being stationed in the Egyptian province of Thebaidos, at Hibeos, Oaseos Majoris (NDE: XXXI). In the same listing, it is also recorded under the category Et quae de minore laterculo emittuntur [under lesser command] at Oasi majore. Hibeos is probably Hibis (el-Kargeh, Egypt), and important ancient city in the oasis. The Abasgii were a barbarian tribe from the Caucasus.

I AEGYPTIORUM: One of 2 ala in this series, the other is the II Nova Aegyptiorum. Listed in the Notitia Dignitatum as being stationed at Selle or Gerra, Egypt. (NDE: XXVIII)

Ala AFRORUM VETERANA: Formed in Africa before 70AD, perhaps by Claudius (41-54). It was stationed in Germania Superior where it was listed in a diploma issued in 77. It moved to Germanica Inferior and was listed in diplomas issued in 78, 127 and 138, and an inscription (xiii.8517) dated to the second century. AE 1903:275-Oluper Cergaepuri-decurio-from Claudia Ara Agrippinensium,, 276, 1906:99, 1926: 67- Oclatio Carvi-signifero with Tungro added, 1968:400, 1997: 1314- diploma, CIL 6: 41272-T. Statilio Optato-praefect, CIL 13: 8223-Simplex Sepli-from Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium/Germ.inf. 8517, 8303-L. Crispi, 8304-Oluper Cergaepuri et Preci Capitonis-decurio-from Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium/Germ.inf., 8305-Romanus Atti-from Colonia Agrippinensium, 8692, 8806-Gumattius Gaisionis, 11967, CIL 16: 23, 59, Finke: 304-as Afrorum Tungro, RMD-01: 52, RMD-04: 239, RSK 106, 246, 247,

Ala AGRIPPIANAE Miniata: Formed in Gaul and perhaps named after Agrippa who served as governor of the area under Augustus (27BC-14AD). Served in Germania Superior at Borbetomagus (Worms, Germany), than transferred to Britain perhaps even as part of the invasion force under Claudius (41-54). At some time is this inscription (xii.2231) Decmanio Capro sub praef(ecto) equit(um) alae Agrippian(ae). Listed in diploma issued in 122. There is a Flaviae Agrippianae listed below from Palmyra. AE 1931:79, 1961: 227- L. Sept. Petr....-preafect, 1994: 144- P. Cornelio Orestino- preafect, 2000: 800-dpl, 2008: 800- dpl., CIL 12: 2231 CIL 13: 6235 (p.91)-Partus Mutii-from Borbetomagus/Ger. sup. CIL 16: 69-with Miniata, RMD-05: 360,

Anton.... Gallorum: Formed in Gaul. Stationed in Syria and known by a diploma of 139 and possibly (B.G.U. 614) 217. This is probably ala Antiana Gallorum it Thracum below.

Ala I ALAMANNORUM: This regiment may have been created by Probus (276-282) who defeated the Allemanni and Franks in 278, settling 400,000 in the empire and demanding 16,00 men for the Roman army "And soon afterwards, since a recent invasion had utterly devastated that canton, he transferred him to Britain with the rank of tribune, and gave him command of a troop of the Alamanni which at that time was distinguished for its numbers and its strength." (XXIX: 4.7) This regiment, under command of Crocus, played a decisive role in Constantine I (307-337) proclamation as emperor. Listed in the Notitia Dignitatum as being stationed in the province of Foenicis, at Neia (NDE: XXXII).

Comites ALANI: Listed in the Notitia Dignitatum as a Vexillations Palatinae under the control of the Magistri Equitum of the West (NDW: VI). No station is listed so this unit may have made up part of his personal guard. The Alans were a nomadic people of the Caucuses and had a long history with Rome.

Ala ANTANA ( Antiana?) DROMEDARIORUM: Listed in the Notitia Dignitatum as being stationed in the province of Palaestinae and under the command of the Dux Palaestinae, at Admantha (NDE: XXXIV). The resemblance in the fore name of the ala with the longstanding cavalry regiment in the province may indicate that the unit was originally part of it. See Antiana Gallorum et Thracum below.

Ala ANTIANA GALLORUM: Probably stationed first in Macedonia. Stationed thereafter in Syria and known by diplomas issued in 88, 88/89, 118, 160, and 185. When the province was divided it served back and forth between the two, there fore it is listed in diplomas issued there in 119, 136/137 and 160. This unit is associated with ala Gallorum et Thracum Antiana Sagittariorum below. AE 1974:655, 1982: 885, 1990: 1013-Flavi Ulpiani-decurion-from Scythopolis, Palaestinae, 1991:1427-C. Setorius C.-from Macedonia, 1994:1914-in Syria, 1997: 1761, RMD-01: 3, 60, 69-with complete name, CIL 16: 3, 87, RMD-03: 160, 173 Scripta Classica Israelica,  Vol. XXIV, 2005: The 160 diploma

Ala ANTONINIANAE: Stationed in Pannonia and Noricum during the Marcomanni Wars in the late 170s. It was attached to the new II Italicae as shown by the inscription of Q. Herennius Silvius Maximus who served as legat(us) leg. II Italicae et alae Antoninianae (CIL IX: 2213). AE 1990: 1013- Flavi Ulpiani - decurionis- from Scythopolis/Palaestinae, 1991: 1427- Centrizis Besidelti- from Macedonia, CIL 9: 2193-Q. Herennio Silvio, 2213,

Ala APRIANA: Formed in Gaul and stationed in Egypt where it is known by a number of inscriptions and papyrus scraps. These include: ChLA XI 501, a strength report dated to 48 AD. PSI VI 729, a receipt for the sale of a horse dated to 77. This loan of money made by C. Julius Agrippianus was still in dispute with the sons of both men. Diplomas (CIL XVI 29) issued in 83, 104, and [Romer (1990)] from 179. The first, and the last are both from the town of Koptos. BGU I: 69 a soldier’s loan dated to 120. Two Epikrisis', BGU IV: 1033 dated to 98-117 and P. Hamb. I: 31a dated 117-38. An inscription, (CIL III: 49) is from Thebes, listing a praefects offering after visiting the statues of Memnon, and is dated to 170. A papyrus' (P.Oxy. XXXVI 2760) from 179/80 which is a petition addressed to the prefect of Egypt from Dionysius Amyntiaus, a discharged veteran of the ala, complaining that he had brought blankets from the Oxyrhynchus to Alexandria for delivery to the legion (II Triania), but was unable to find anyone to accept them. He had waited for forty days but had run out of provisions and now wanted to go home. A grain receipt (P. Koln II 94) from Oxyrhynchus showing that the ala was stationed at the ‘Small Oasis’ (Bahariya Oasis). The sale of a slave (SPP XX71) at Hermopolis Magna’ sometime between 268-270. There is also an undated tombstone (CIL III 6026) in Syene (Aswan, Egypt) for Sextus Mevius Sex. f. Fab. Domitius who died while stationed there. The ala is first known to have been stationed at Syene (Aswan, Egypt) and may be the unit referred to by Strabo.

Listed in the Notitia Dignitatum circa 395: Ala Apriana: stationed at Hippanos, and under the command of the Comes limitis Aegypti. (NDE: XXVIII) The fate of this unit is probably the same as that of II Traiana and was destroyed in the Arab invasions of the 550's. AE 1980: 896-Q. Aebutius Q. Aegyptus xii: p 129-130- 153 AD- witnesses to an illegal beating of a veteran of the ala, Gaius Maenius Apellas. CIL 3: 49-From Thebes dated to 170-from the Memnon stature, 6026-from Syrene-tomb, CIL 6: 41295 CIL 16: 29-from Koptos dated to 80, RMD-01: 9, P.Mich: 1: 320- Marcus Trebius Haraclides, Dionysius Manlius, Publius Herennius Valens- decurio, 3: 159-

Ala I ARABACORUM: Known from an inscription found at Sexaginta Prista, Moesia Inferior but its station unknown. There are two possibilities here. One is that this is one of two Arab cavalry units formed and stationed along the Danube, or that this is a misspelling of I Aravacorum below. AE 1940: 34-Aurelio Coto,

Ala I ARAVACORUM: Best evidence shows that the unit was formed in 55 under Nero (54-68) or before. Stationed Pannonia/ Pannonia Superior under Titus (78-81), or Vespasian (69-79) as I Aravacorum. By 115 it had been merged with Listed in diplomas issued in Pannonia before the province was divided, in 80, 84, 85, 102, 113, 115 and 149. Listed in a diploma issued in Pannonia superior in 113 and 115. AE 1976: 359- M. Valerio Maximiano- praefect, 1988: 891-dpl., 906, 1990: 386, 2000: 1211-from Pann.sup., 2005: 954- dpl, CIL 3: 5629-M. Modesti M.-decurion-from Noricum, CIL 6: 1607 (p3811,4719)- L. Domitio Luci-praefect, CIL 16: 26, 30, 31, 47, InscrAqu-02: 2811, RHP: 135-from Teutoburgium/Pann.inf., RMD-02: 86-from Pan. Sup., RMD-03: 138, RMM: 32-dpl.,

Ala I ARAVACORUM et HISPANORUM : See Hispanorum Aravacorum below.

Equites ARCADES: One of the five vexillationes palatinae, under the command of the Magister Militum Praesentalis I, the comitatenses Army of the East (NDE: V). This unit was probably either formed under or in honor of Arcadius (395-408), son of Theodosius the Great (379-395). This unit and the two below all served in the Eastern Empire.

Ala ARCADIANA: Listed in the Notitia Dignitatum as being nuper constituta, or recently organized, and under the command of the Comes Limitis Aegypti. It is one of two so listed, the other being Ala Theodosiana below. No station listed. (NDE: XXVIII). This unit was probably either formed under or in honor of Arcadius (395-408), son of Theodosius the Great (379-395).

Comites ARCADIACI: Listed in the Notitia Dignitatum as one of three Vexillations Palatinae, under the command of the Magister Militum per Thracia, stationed with the Eastern Army. (NDE: VIII). This unit was probably either formed under or in honor of Arcadius (395-408), son of Theodosius the Great (379-395).

Equites ARMIGERI SENIORES: Listed as a vexillationes comitatenses stationed with the Western Field Army of Gaul (NDW: VII). The Index (NDW: VI) records the unit as Equites Armigeri. In Latin amerger means armor bearer and may mean that Armigeri units wore a type of armor different than the chain mail of regular cavalry.

Equites ARMIGERI SENIORES GALLICANI: One of seven vexillationes comitatenses under the command of the Magister Militum Praesentalis I of the Army of the East (NDE: V). Possibly present at the Battle of Adrianople or part of Gratian’s (367-383) relieving army which arrived too late for the battle.

Equites ARMIGERI SENIORES ORIENTALES: Listed as one of ten vexillationes comitatenses, under the command of the Magister Militum per Orientem, in the Eastern Army (NDE: VII). Jones (Pg 661) Believes that this is the unit referred to as Armigeri garrisoning Oxyrhynchus (el-Bahnasa, Egypt) in 488. P.Oxy: 1888

Equites ARMIGERI SENIORES: A vexillationes comitatenses stationed with the Western Field Army of Africa (NDW: VII) and the general index of the Magister Equitatum (NDW: VI).

Equites ARMIGERI JUNIORES: Listed as a vexillationes comitatenses stationed with the Western Field Army of Africa (NDW: VII) and the general index of the Magister Equitatum of the West (NDW: VI).

I ASTURUM pia fidelis: First stationed in Germanica Inferior where it probably participated in putting down the Batavian Revolt of 69-71. Here it is listed in a diploma issued in Germanica Superior in 75. It was moved to Moesia Inferior where it is listed in diplomas issued in 98-100 and 100. The regiment probably took part in Trajan’s (98-117) Dacian Wars of 101, 104-105. The unit remained in Dacia, and it is known from an inscription, roof tiles circa 200 and a diploma issued in Dacia inferior in 105. AE 1988: 998-Ti. Claudius Arrenti f(ilius) Quir. Saturninus-from Constanta/Moesia Inferior, 1605-M. Sentius Victor-with pia fidelis, 1990:732-from Germanica Inf., 1992:1458, 1999: 1287, 2004: 1256-dpl., 2006: 1862, 2008: 1862-dpl. under Trajan, 1195- dpl under Trajan, 2009: 1035-dpl, CIL 3: 1393, 8074.1a&b, CIL 9: 4753-T. Prifernio Publi-praefect CIL 16: 20, 45, IDR-03-04: 328 ILBulg: 138-Tiberio Basso, 305-Ti. Basso-decurion - from Novae/Moesia Inf., IGLNovae: 78- Ti. Basso Dec., IScM-02: 172, RIU-05: 1216, RMD-01: 39-from Dacia Inferior under Antonius Pius,

Ala I (Hispanorum) ASTURUM: Raised from the Asturii tribe in Hispania before 43AD and stationed in Lugdunensis Gaul. It was part of the force used to invade Britain during the reign of Claudius' (41-54) and stationed in Britain thereafter. Here it is listed in diploma's issued in 98, 124, 134, 137 and 146 as I Asturum and 97, 101,122, 135 and 137 as I Hispanorum Asturum. Its first known base was at Arbeia, Britain (South Shields) on the Wall where it was the first unit to occupy it after the fort was built by Legio VI.

They moved around 204 to the fort at Condercum (Benwell, UK). Here an inscription from the reign of Septimius Severus (193-211) reads: To the three Mother Goddesses of the Parade Ground and to the Genus of the I Ala Asturian Spaniards styled Gordian's Own. Terentius Agrippa, prefect, restored this temple from ground level. It was still at Condercum when Gordian III was emperor 238-244 and 150 years later it is listed in the Notitia Dignitatum as stationed Praefectus alae primae Asturum; Conderco (N.D.W.XL). AE 1931: 79, 1940: 109-from Corbridge, UK, 1976:556b-at Segudunum/Wallsend, 1990: 732-from Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, Ger. Inf, 1992:1457, 1994: 144- P. Cornelio Orestino- preafect-alae Astyrum, 1997: 824, 1001, 2008: 800- dpl.- with full name, CIL 2: 1086, CIL 3: 1633.11, 6075, 8074.1b, 10323, CIL 6: 3539 (p3846)- M. Stlaccius C.- praefect in Britannia, CIL 7: 510-from Condercum, 513, 537, 538, CIL 13: 2613-Alvanus Excingi-in Lugudunensis, CIL 16: 43, 69, 81,93, CILA-02-01: 295, IGLNovae: 78-Ti. Basso Decimo, RIB-01: 1064-at aArbeia, 1334- T. Agrippa-praefect-with Gordianae, 1337, 1348-Condercum, 1610- Victor-at Arbeia, RIB-02-04: 2464. 1. 1- 67-from Condercum, RIB-02-08: 2504. 23-from Londinium, RMD-05: 420,

Ala (Gallorum) ATECTORIAGIANAE: Formed from the Atectori tribe of Gaul and stationed in Moesia Inferior where it is listed in diplomas issued in 119, 140 and 155. There is also an inscription (iii6154) from Tomi (Constanta, Romania) mentioning Septimius Severus (193-211). AE 1995:1351, 1997:1780, 2006: 1213-dpl.-mentions an expedition to Mauretania-155AD, CIL 3: 6154- Flavius Severianus-decurio-w/Severianae, 12452(p2316,48)-T. Flavius Marcianus-praefect, CIL 13: 1041-C. Julio Agedili-with Gallorum- duplicario-from Mediolanum Sentanum , Aquitania (Saintes, France), RMD-01: 50,

Ala I AUGUSTA: First stationed in Gaul and may have been one of the first alae of this name. Stationed in Noricum during the reign of Trajan (98-117) where diplomas were issued in 119 and 137. AE 1975:951, 1987: 138- M. Petroni M. - praefect, 1990:1219, 1995:1219, AEA 2007: 177- Ulpio Ronodeo- from Trigisamun, CIL 3: 4812- Fl. Tacitus- from Virunum/Noricum, 5655-C. Julio Agricolae CIL 5: 7007- as ala Augusta only and can be for any of these, CIL 12:2394-Successus Silvani, RMD-02: 93

Ala AUGUSTA: One of the few auxiliary units known to have participated in Augustus’ Cantabrian War of (29-27 BC). It very possible that this is a regiment raised by Augustus himself during the Civil War. It remained in Spain until at least 40AD, when a tessera hospitalis from the city of Clunia, extending friendship to C. Terentius Bassus, prefect of the unit. It was transferred to Moesia Inferior afterward where it is named on an inscription (iii12347) from (Arlec). A cavalry fort with that name is listed in the Notitia Dignitatum in Daciae Ripensis (NDE: XLII). There is a good chance that this is the same unit as the one above, stationed in Noricum. AE 618a- Caius Q. Pentii- with Marti, 1997: 876-in Hispania Citerior, CIL 2: 5792 (p1050)- C. Terentio Basso C-praefect CIL 3: 12347; 1987:618a-with Marti

Ala AUGUSTA ob virtutem appellata: Formed at an unknown time and first attested in Egypt (P.Hamb. III 217) by a contract from Oxyrhynchus dated to sometime before 50AD. It is listed in diplomas issued in 83 , 104, and 105. The ala left Egypt and formed part of the force commanded by M. Valerius Lollianus in Mesopotamia after 110. Transferred again to Britain where a number of inscriptions (CIL VII 340, 341, 351, 344, and 338) are dated to 188, 191, 193, 213, and 242. This unit was known by an inscription to be the first to garrison the fort at Cilurnum (Chesters, HW) during the reign of Hadrian (117-128). It is likely that it helped to build the wall. It moved to Luguvalium (Carlisle, UK) during the reign of Marcus Aurelius (161-180). Stationed at Olerica (Old Carlisle) from the time of Severus Septimius (193-211) to that of Gordian III (238-244) when Aemilius Crispiness was praefect. The unit was campaigning in Noricum and Raetia between 238 and 242 as is attested by a dedication (CIL III 4812) on their arrival in Noricum and two tombstones (CIL III 5819 and 4834) the first from Raetia and the second from Noricum.

At some time the unit was in Italy as is known by inscriptions from the prefects (CIL V 6478 and 7008) when it may have formed part of the field army under the emperor Gallienus (253-268). CIL 3: 4812- Flavius Tacitus, and 4834, Aur. Potitus, both are from Noricum, and both mention the unit as a vexillation. 5819, 7130-Tib. Julium C. CIL 5: 6478-praefect; 7008- praefect CIL 7: 338, 340, 341, 344, 351, CIL 16: 29 CIL 16: 29-a diploma AE 1966: 445- Ti. Julium C.- praefectus, 1969/70:292, 1974: