Ala I Nerviana Augusta

The Ala I Nerviana Augusta [fidelis] [milliaria] ( German 1. Ala die Nervische die Augusteische [the faithful] [1000 men] ) was a Roman auxiliary unit . It is evidenced by military diplomas and inscriptions. In the inscriptions the unit is referred to exclusively as Ala Miliaria or Ala ${\ displaystyle \ infty}$ ; in the military diploma of 128/131 she is listed as Ala I Augusta Nerviana .

Name components

Nerviana : the nervous one. The honorary title refers to Nerva (96–98).

Augusta : the Augustan tables. The honorary title refers to Augustus .

fidelis : the loyalty. The addition appears in the military diploma of 107.

milliaria , miliaria or : 1000 men. The unit was originally an Ala quingenaria with a nominal strength of 480 men. By 107 AD at the latest, however , it had been expanded to become an Ala milliaria . The addition appears in the military diploma of 107 as well as all inscriptions. In the military diploma and in some inscriptions, the symbol is used instead of milliaria . ${\ displaystyle \ infty}$ ${\ displaystyle \ infty}$

The unit was an ala milliaria . The nominal strength of the Ala was 720 men, consisting of 24 towers with 30 riders each.

history

The Ala was stationed in the province of Mauretania Caesariensis . It is listed on military diplomas for the years 107 to 128/131 AD.

The unit was probably stationed in the province of Mauretania Caesariensis since the reign of Claudius (41–54) or Nero (54–68) . Originally her name was probably Ala Augusta ; the addition Nerviana she received from Nerva (96-98) for special merits. The first evidence of unity in Mauretania Caesariensis is based on a diploma dated 107. In the diploma, the Ala is listed as part of the troops (see Roman Armed Forces in Mauretania ) that were stationed in the province. Another diploma, dated 128/131, proves unity in the same province.

Locations

Locations of the Ala in Mauretania Caesariensis may have been:

Aquae Sirenses (Benian): The inscriptions of Caecilius Victor and Furnius Primus were found here.
Caesarea (Cherchell): The inscriptions of Longinus Muleruna , Lucius Plotius Modestus and Titus Herculianus Clemens were found here.
Portus Magnus ( Béthioua ): The inscriptions of Lurius Rogatus and Nonius Iulianus were found here.

Members of the Ala

The following members of the Ala are known:

Commanders

Cominius Claud (ius) Bonus Agricola L [a] elius Aper, a prefect ( CIL 12, 672 ); he was also prefect of the Cohors III Bracaraugustanorum .

P (ublius) Cassius [], a prefect ( AE 1912, 20 )
T (itus) Herculianus Clemens, a Prefect ( CIL 8, 21036 )

Others

[] s Africanus ( CIL 8, 20932 )
Caecilius Victor, a Vexillarius ( AE 1936, 63 )
Furnius Primus, a former horseman ( CIL 8, 21568 )
Longinus Mu [l] eruna, a Sesquiplicarius ( CIL 8, 21029 )
L (ucius) Plotius Modestus, a Decurio ( CIL 8, 9389 )
Lurius Rogatus, a horseman ( CIL 8, 21617 )

Magnius Felicianus, a duplicarius ( CIL 8, 9750 )
Nonius Iulianus, a horseman ( CIL 8, 21618 )
Peticus, a Decurio ( CIL 8, 21029 )
Salustius Martialis, a horseman ( CIL 8, 21568 )
Valens, a Decurio ( CIL 8, 21568 )

Remarks

↑ According to John Spaul , there was probably only one Ala milliaria in the province of Mauretania Caesariensis , so the informal designation of the unit by which it was known in the province was used on the private, unofficial inscriptions. In contrast, the military diploma of 107 uses the official name of the Roman administration.
↑ Eric Birley assumes, however, that the unit was set up by Nerva .

Individual evidence

^ ^A ^b ^c 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. 160-162.
^ 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. 175 Table 17 ( PDF p. 177 ).
↑ Military diplomas of the years 107 ( CIL 16, 56 ) and 128/131 ( RMD 5, 377 ).

[MI-1] According to John Spaul , there was probably only one Ala milliaria in the province of Mauretania Caesariensis , so the informal designation of the unit by which it was known in the province was used on the private, unofficial inscriptions. In contrast, the military diploma of 107 uses the official name of the Roman administration.

[GE-5] Eric Birley assumes, however, that the unit was set up by Nerva .

[jsp-2] A ^b ^c 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. 160-162.

[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. 175 Table 17 ( PDF p. 177 ).

[MD-4] Military diplomas of the years 107 ( CIL 16, 56 ) and 128/131 ( RMD 5, 377 ).