Cohors VI Commagenorum

The Cohors VI Commagenorum [equitata] ( German 6th cohort from Commagene [partially mounted] ) was a Roman auxiliary unit . It is evidenced by military diplomas and inscriptions.

Name components

Commagenorum : from Commagene . The soldiers of the cohort were recruited when the unit was set up on the territory of the former Kingdom of Commagene .

equitata : partially mounted. The unit was a mixed association of infantry and cavalry. The addition appears in the inscription ( CIL 8, 18248 ).

Since there is no evidence of the addition of milliaria (1000 men) to the name , the unit was a Cohors (quingenaria) equitata . The nominal strength of the cohort was 600 men (480 infantry and 120 horsemen), consisting of 6 centuries of infantry with 80 men each and 4 tower cavalry with 30 horsemen each.

history

The first evidence of the cohort in the province of Africa is based on military diplomas dated to 127 AD. In the diplomas, the cohort is listed as part of the troops (see Roman Forces in Africa ) that were stationed in the province. Another diploma, dated 128/129, proves unity in the same province. According to the inscription ( CIL 8, 2532 ), the unit was praised by Hadrian in 128 for its performance during a maneuver. In particular, the emperor emphasizes her handling of the sling.

Around 174 two Decurios of the cohort and their soldiers were posted to El-Agueneb . The unit then carried out repairs to the amphitheater in Mesarfelta in 177 . The last evidence of the cohort is based on the inscription ( CIL 8, 18248 ) dated 198.

Locations

Locations of the cohort in Africa proconsularis or Numidia were possibly:

Lambaesis : the inscriptions ( AE 1969/70, 706 , CIL 8, 2532 , CIL 8, 18248 ) were found here.
Zarai: the inscription of Iulius Musicus was found here.

Members of the cohort

The following members of the cohort are known.

Commanders

Aelius Serenus, a prefect (around 177) ( CIL 8, 2488 )
C (aius) Aelius [] nus, a prefect ( AE 1969/70, 706 )

Q (uintus) Aelius Rufinus Polianus, a prefect ( CIL 8, 4292 )
T (itus) Atilius Iuvenalis, a prefect ( CIL 8, 4292 )

Others

C (aius) Iul (ius) Silvanus, a horseman ( BCTH-1901-314 )
Fl (avius) Felix, a Beneficiarius (around 174) ( CIL 8, 21567 )
Iulius Musicus, a soldier ( CIL 8, 4526 )

M (arcus) B [r] utt [ius] [] tatus, a Decurio ( CIL 8, 21567 )
Popilius E [], a Decurio ( CIL 8, 21567 )

Individual evidence

^ Jörg Scheuerbrandt : Exercitus. Tasks, organization and command structure of Roman armies during the imperial era. Dissertation, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg im Breisgau 2003/2004, pp. 99-100 ( PDF pp. 100-101 ).

↑ Military diplomas of the years 127 ( RMD 5, 368 , ZPE-152-244 ) and 128/129 ( RMD 5, 373 ).

^ ^A ^b John Spaul: Cohors² The evidence for and a short history of the auxiliary infantry units of the Imperial Roman Army , British Archaeological Reports 2000, BAR International Series (Book 841), ISBN 978-1841710464 , pp. 406-407

[js-1] Jörg Scheuerbrandt : Exercitus. Tasks, organization and command structure of Roman armies during the imperial era. Dissertation, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg im Breisgau 2003/2004, pp. 99-100 ( PDF pp. 100-101 ).