Ala Moesica

Bronze shield hump of a rider of the Ala ( CIL 13, 7433 )

The Ala Moesica [felix] [torquata] [pia fidelis] ( German Ala Moesica [the lucky one] [awarded with torques ] [loyal and loyal] ) was a Roman auxiliary unit . It is evidenced by military diplomas , inscriptions and brick stamps.

Name components

Moesica : from Moesia or the Moesische. The unit was probably stationed in the province of Moesia at an early stage , from which its name was derived.

felix : the lucky one or the blessed one. The addition appears in the inscription ( CIL 6, 3538 ) and the brick stamp ( AE 1969/70, 437 ).

torquata : awarded with torques . The addition appears in the inscription ( CIL 6, 3538 ).

pia fidelis : loyal and loyal. Domitian (81-96) gave the Roman armed forces in Germania inferior who remained loyal to him after the suppression of the uprising of Lucius Antonius Saturninus the honorary designation pia fidelis Domitiana . The addition appears in the brick stamp ( AE 1969/70, 437 ).

Since there is no reference to the addition of milliaria (1000 men) to the name , the unit was an Ala quingenaria . The nominal strength of the Ala was 480 men, consisting of 16 towers with 30 riders each.

history

The first evidence of Ala in the province of Germania is based on a diploma dated 78. In the diploma, the unit is listed as part of the troops (see Roman Armed Forces in Germania ) that were stationed in the province. Another diploma, dated 101, proves the unity in Germania inferior . It was probably moved to Germania superior before 120 .

The last evidence of the Ala is based on the shield hump, whose incised inscription ( CIL 13, 7433 ) is dated 180/192.

Locations

Locations of the Ala in Germania were possibly:

Asciburgium : the inscription ( CIL 13, 8592 ) was found here.
Butzbach : the bronze shield hump of a rider of the Ala was found here ( CIL 13, 7433 ).
Echzell : Bricks with the stamp AL MOE FEL PF ( AE 1969/70, 437 ) were found here.

Members of the Ala

The following members of the Ala are known:

Commanders

L (ucius) Valerius [], a prefect ( CIL 3, 8716 ); he was also prefect of the Cohors I Tyriorum .
[M (arcus) A] emi [lius] Bassus ( AE 1915, 58 ); he was also prefect of the Cohors I Antiochensium and tribune of the Cohors I Brittonum .

Titus Staberius Secundus, a Prefect ( CIL 6, 3538 ); he is named on the diploma of 78 as commander of the Ala and was also prefect of the Cohors I Chalcidenorum .
T (itus) Visulanius Crescens, a Prefect ( CIL 11, 709 ); he was also Prefect of the Cohors II Gallorum and Tribune of the Cohors I Civium Romanorum .

Others

[] us Rufinus, a veteran and former Decurio ( CIL 13, 8503 )
Ru [fi] nus, a Decurio ( CIL 13, 8592 )

Tertius, a soldier: the diploma of 78 was issued to him.

Web links

Commons : Ala Moesica - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Remarks

↑ ^a ^b Presumably this is the same person, a Decurio named Rufinus .

Individual evidence

^ Paul A. Holder: Exercitus Pius Fidelis: The Army of Germania Inferior in AD 89 In: Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik . Volume 128 (1999), pp. 237-250, here pp. 237, 243 ( PDF ).
^ ^A ^b John EH Spaul: Ala² The Auxiliary Cavalry Units of the Pre-Diocletianic Imperial Roman Army. Nectoreca Press, Andover 1994, ISBN 0-9525062-0-3 , pp. 163-164.
^ Jörg Scheuerbrandt : Exercitus. Tasks, organization and command structure of Roman armies during the imperial era. Dissertation, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau 2003/2004, p. 158 Table 2 ( PDF p. 160 ).
↑ Military diplomas of the years 78 ( CIL 16, 23 ) and 101 ( RMM 9 ).

↑ Jan Kees Haalebos: Traian and the auxiliary troops on the Lower Rhine A military diploma of the year 98 AD from Elst in the Over-Betuwe (Netherlands) In: Saalberg Jahrbuch, 2000/50, pp. 31-72 , here p. 40 ( Online ).

[AN-6] Presumably this is the same person, a Decurio named Rufinus .

[pah-1] Paul A. Holder: Exercitus Pius Fidelis: The Army of Germania Inferior in AD 89 In: Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik . Volume 128 (1999), pp. 237-250, here pp. 237, 243 ( PDF ).

[jsp-2] A ^b John EH Spaul: Ala² The Auxiliary Cavalry Units of the Pre-Diocletianic Imperial Roman Army. Nectoreca Press, Andover 1994, ISBN 0-9525062-0-3 , pp. 163-164.

[js-3] Jörg Scheuerbrandt : Exercitus. Tasks, organization and command structure of Roman armies during the imperial era. Dissertation, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau 2003/2004, p. 158 Table 2 ( PDF p. 160 ).

[MD-4] Military diplomas of the years 78 ( CIL 16, 23 ) and 101 ( RMM 9 ).

[jkh-5] Jan Kees Haalebos: Traian and the auxiliary troops on the Lower Rhine A military diploma of the year 98 AD from Elst in the Over-Betuwe (Netherlands) In: Saalberg Jahrbuch, 2000/50, pp. 31-72 , here p. 40 ( Online ).