Ala I Ulpia Dromadariorum

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The Ala I Ulpia Dromadariorum [Palmyrenorum] [milliaria] ( German  1. Ala the Ulpische der Kamelreiter [the Palmyrener ] [1000 men] ) was a Roman auxiliary unit . It is evidenced by military diplomas and inscriptions.

Name components

  • Ulpia : the Ulpian. The honorary designation refers to Emperor Trajan , whose full name is Marcus Ulpius Traianus .
  • Dromadariorum or Dromedariorum : the camel rider . The variant Dromadariorum occurs in the military diplomas , while the second variant is used in inscriptions in Greek.
  • Palmyrenorum : the Palmyrener . The addition appears in the military diplomas from 123/126 to 142 and in an inscription.
  • milliaria : 1000 men. The addition occurs in the military diplomas.

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 provinces of Arabia and Syria (in that order). It is listed on military diplomas for the years 123/126 to 156/157 AD.

The first evidence in Arabia is based on a diploma dated 123/126. In the diploma, the Ala is listed as part of the troops stationed in the province. Another diploma, dated 142, proves unity in the same province.

At an unspecified point in time, the unit was relocated to Syria , where it is first evidenced by a diploma dated 153. In the diploma, the Ala is listed as part of the troops (see Roman forces in Syria ) that were stationed in the province. Another diploma, dated 156/157, proves unity in the same province.

The members of this special unit were probably used as scouts or couriers and as escorts for caravans. In addition, they also had to monitor important connection and supply routes in the desert regions of the provinces of Arabia and Syria .

Locations

Locations of the Ala in Syria may have been:

  • Palmyra : The inscriptions by C. Vibius Celer and Τι. Κλαυδιος Φι [] were found here.

Members of the Ala

The following members of the Ala are known:

Commanders

  • Τι. Κλαυδιος Φι [], a επαρχος

Others

  • Δεμετρις Ζαννιον
  • Iulius Candidus, a veteran and former Duplicarius ( CIL 3, 123 )
  • Κασσι []
  • Ουλπιανοις
  • Ουλπις Μαγνος
  • Sεονερος

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ^ 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. 104-105.
  2. ^ 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. 174 table 16 ( PDF p. 176 ).
  3. ↑ Werner Eck , Andreas Pangerl: A diploma for the auxiliary troops of the province of Arabia, issued under Hadrian, probably in the year 126 In: Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik . Volume 197 (2016), pp. 227-230, here p. 229.
  4. ↑ Military diplomas of the years 123/126 ( ZPE-197-227 ), 142 ( ZPE-150-254 ), 153 ( AE 2006, 1841 ) and 156/157 ( CIL 16, 106 ).
  5. ^ Edward Dabrowa: Some special units of the Roman army in the imperial era (1st-3rd century AD) In: HONORATISSIMUM ASSENSUS GENUS EST ARMIS LAUDARE Kraków 2014, pp. 503-510, here pp. 506-507 ( online ).