Dux Daciae ripensis
The Dux Daciae ripensis (military leader of the bank dakia) was a high officer in the Eastern Roman army and commander of the border troops on the lower Danube .
His area of responsibility ( ducatus ) extended over the Limes of the province of Dacia ripensis , which corresponds to the territory in the north of today's Serbia and Bulgaria and the south of Romania . It was the river border ( ripae ) of the Danube , most of the forts were on its south bank. His direct superior was the Magister militum per Illyricum .
In the hierarchy of the late Roman imperial nobility, a dux limites took the position of a vir spectabilis .
Well-known Duces:
- Aurelius Priscus
- Valens (310)
- Tautomedus (364)
development
From 271, Emperor Aurelian withdrew the Roman armed forces from the excessively exposed province of Dacia behind the Danube . He wanted to create a buffer zone, and in fact it took the rival Goths and Germanic tribes several decades to bring the area completely under their control. The distribution struggles for the former province offered protection against the expansionist urge of the barbarian tribes for a while. The river formed the northern border of the province; however, most of the new frontier fortresses required for this did not emerge until the time of the Tetrarchy . According to the most recent archaeological findings, the barbarians are likely not to have populated the area west of the Alt River by the end of the 4th century (380–390) .
In order to hide the loss of Dacia , two new "Dacian" provinces were created south of the Danube, on the soil of the old greater province of Moesia
- Dacia ripensis, (Uferdakien) with its capital Ratiaria and the
- Dacia mediterranea (Inland Dacia )
set up. The higher-level administrative unit, the Dioecesis Daciae , only comprised a narrow strip of land in the Transdanubian Dacia. Under Constantine I , a region north of the Danube was briefly occupied again (between 335 and 337). The area soon served as a pure buffer zone for the border provinces south of the Danube. The office of the Dux limites probably existed since the 4th century.
The pressure of the migrating peoples on the borders on the middle and lower Danube increased massively after the middle of the 4th century. The emperors therefore issued a series of orders for the defense and fortification of the border zone. After the Battle of Adrianople (378), Ostrom increasingly lost control of the Danube region. In 382 Constantinople finally left the area between the Danube and the Balkan Mountains (i.e. the provinces of Dacia Ripensis and Moesia Secunda ) to the Gothic federates for defense. In 390 the Gothic army king Alaric was appointed Magister militum of Moesia I and Dacia Ripensis , in 397 Magister militum per Illyricum after he had occupied Thrace and Dacia for many years. Between 408 and 410 the Visigoths withdrew from the province. The Dacian diocese was devastated by the Huns in the middle of the 5th century , when Arnigia, Magister militum of the Dacia Ripensis , fell in a battle against the Hun king Attila . At the turn of the 6th to the 7th century, the Danube region was finally overrun by the Avars and Slavs .
Administrative staff
The Officium (administrative staff) of the Dux comprised the following offices:
- Principem de eodem officio, qui completa militia adorat protector (office manager, after the end of his service as a bodyguard)
- Numerarios et adiutores eorum (Paymaster and auxiliaries)
- Commentariensem (bookkeeper and legal expert)
- Adiutorem (assistant)
- A libellis siue subscribendarium (undersecretary and entry point)
- Exceptores et ceteros officiales (clerks and other officials)
troops
The list of troops (distributio) des Dux was only handed down in the Notitia Dignitatum . It probably reflects the target level around the years 394-396 and names for the Dacia Ripensis
- nine horsemen-cunei,
- two legions,
- two cohortes,
- six auxilia and
- a milites unit, as well
- two fleet associations.
Theodor Mommsen and Robert Grosse were of the opinion that the Cunei equites consisted entirely of barbarian mercenaries . Andreas Alföldi, on the other hand, speculated that they had emerged from the remaining teams of mid-imperial Alae and Cohortes . In the Notitia, 23 military bases are mentioned for the official district of the Dux . In the old camps from the middle imperial period there were two and sometimes three units. In the notitia, mainly cunei and auxiliary units are given for the eastern sector. The western sector was mainly secured with legion divisions. The limitanei were mostly excavated in their home provinces. This probably also applied to the border guards of the Dacia ripensis . The units of the Dacisci , Marianensi and Crispitiensi are likely to have been recruited from Romans who lived directly at the castles . Of the two legions originally in Dacia, apparently very few of their soldiers were relocated to other provinces. The Legio XIII Gemina had three departments in the Dacia Ripensis , which were in the western part of the Limes section, between Aegeta and Ratiaria . The Legio V Macedonica had been split into four departments. They stood between Cebrus and Oescus , each commanded by a Praefectus legionis , which suggests that they were administratively independent formations. Each of these departments probably consisted of 300–500 men. It is estimated that the Dux army numbered 19,500 soldiers.
Their forts are not listed in any particular order, but according to the troop categories. For the Dacia Ripensis there are no small fortifications known as “ contra ” that were located opposite the border towns or forts on the north bank of the Danube. At least five of the bases were smaller quadriburgi .
For the province of Dacia Ripensis , a weapons production facility ( fabrica ) is also occupied in Ratiaria .
Distributio Numerorum
According to the ND Orientum, the following units were available to the Dux :
| Officers / units / castles | comment | Illustration |
|---|---|---|
| cavalry | Limitanei - Cunei equitum | |
| Cuneus equitum Dalmatarum Fortensium, Bononia | In the Notitia five Cuneus Dalmatian riders are listed. As with all Limitanei units, the shield pattern has not been handed down. It seems as if this unity also left an epigraphic evidence: on a tombstone from Mediolanum (Milan, Italy) the deceased is described as a member of a Numer (o) Dalmat (arum) Fort (ensium) . The unit was probably assigned to the lower Danube after the defeat of Maxentius against Constantine I at the Milvian Bridge to Castellum Bononia (Vidin, BG). The part of the name "Fortensium" occurs relatively often in the units listed in the Notitia. It means "strong, brave, steadfast". Another Cuneus equitum Fortensium was in the army of Dux Valeriae ripensis (Western Empire). | |
| Cuneus equitum Dalmatarum Divitensium, Dortico | While the two entries in the Notitia suggest two separate units, they are almost always vexillations of the same unit. The above-mentioned department was stationed in Latin ND in Dortico (or Dorticum , today Vrâv, BG). The associated fort probably stood at the mouth of the Timoc River, on the right bank; Field name "Racoviţa". Where the second vexillation was stationed, the notitia is concealed or the page is lost. Presumably it was in Drobeta (Turnu Severin, RO). Your sign was not recorded in the Notitia. A tombstone from Serdica (Sofia, BG) names the deceased Flavius Felix, a signifier of N (umerus) DIVIT (ensum). The stone shows a soldier wearing a round shield. However, the relief was already heavily worn when it was found and covers the sign. However, a relatively deep arched incision was preserved; It probably represents a Draco . Divitensium refers to Divitia (also Castellum Divitia or Castrum Divitensium , today the Cologne-Deutz district), which was built in 310 under Constantine I as a bridgehead fortification opposite the Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (Cologne D). Three other inscriptions mention that the unit was in Augusta Taurinorum (Turin, I) before it was moved to the Danube . The unit was likely part of Maxentius ' army before Constantine moved it first to northern Gaul and then to the Dacia ripensis . | |
| Cuneus equitum scutariorum, Cebro | An equestrian formation "shield bearers" in the Cebrus fort near the present day Gornji Cibăr (BG). | |
| Cuneus equitum Dalmatarum Divitensium, Drobeta | This Dalmatian cavalry unit, together with the Auxiliares primorum Daciscorum, secured a crossing of the Danube at today's Turnu Severin (RO). The troops were probably moved here in the 4th century, at the time of Emperor Constantine I. | |
| Cuneus equitum Dalmatarum, Augustae | A formation of Dalmatian riders in a fort near today's Hărletz (BG). A rebuilt mid-imperial cohort camp; 2 km from the mouth of the Ogosta River. The camp was destroyed by the Goths in the 4th century . | |
| Cuneus equitum Dalmatarum, Varina | A cavalry unit stationed in the Selanovci (BG) fort. The location of the fortress is believed to be near Leskovăţ, east of Orjahovo. In the village of Mokreš, two inscriptions dating back to the end of the 3rd century were found, which mention soldiers of a numerus dalmatarum . | |
| Cuneus equitum stablesianorum, Almo | An equestrian unit of the Provincial Guard stationed in a fort in what is now Lom (BG). Further departments of this unit can be found in the list of
|
|
| Cuneus equitum scutariorum, Aegetae | A cavalry unit of shield-bearers in the Quadriburgium of Brza Palanka (SRB). The unit shared the fortress with the Legio XIII Gemina and the Classis Histrica . A fortress of the same type stood on the left bank of the Crkvenibach. | |
| Cuneus equitum Constantinianorum, Uto | A cavalry unit stationed in Utus (Milkovica / Gaurisko gradište, BG). | |
| infantry | Limitanei - auxiliares limitanea | |
| Auxilium Miliarensium, Transalba | ||
| Auxilium primorum Daciscorum, Drobeta | The unit was stationed here together with the Cuneus equitum Divitensium . | |
| Auxilium crispitiense, crispitia | It was assumed that this unit was named after Crispus , the son of Constantine I who was executed in 326. According to AHM Jones, this applies to the Equites Crispianorum under the Dux Britanniarum . But the troop of the Dacia ripensis should be named after the place where, according to Notitia, they were stationed. | |
| Auxilium Mariensium, Oesco | A unit of auxiliary troops in the fort of Oescus (Gigen, BG). | |
| Auxilium Claustrinorum, Transluco | ||
| Auxilium secundorum Daciscorum, Burgo Zono | ||
| Limitanei - Milites | ||
| Praefectus militum exploratorum, Transdiernis | A reconnaissance unit opposite Dierna (RU) in a quadriburgium on the right bank of the Tekija stream, near its confluence with the Danube; was stationed on a promontory near today's Tekija (SRB). | |
| Limitanei Legiones - limitaneae | ||
| Praefectus legionis quintae Macedonicae, Variniana | This unit clearly descended from the Legio V Macedonica , which had its main camp in Oescus (Gigen, BG). One of their cohorts was still there in the 4th century. Other vexillations of this legion were in the armies of | |
| Praefectus legionis quintae Macedonicae, Cebro | A vexillation of the Legio V Macedonica . | |
| Praefectus legionis quintae Macedonicae, Oesco | A vexillation of the Legio V Macedonica , stationed in the Oescus camp (Gigen BG). | |
| Praefectus legionis tertiaedecimae geminae, Aegeta | A vexillation of Legio XIII Gemina , which was stationed with a unit of marines in Aegeta (Brza Palanka, SRB). During the reign of Diocletian , the legion was divided into several bases. There is also an epigraphic source for this, a brick stamp that was found in the Drobeda camp. | |
| Praefectus legionis tertiaedecimae geminae, Transdrobeta ( Pontes ) | A vexillation of the Legio XIII Gemina , which was located in a bridgehead fort opposite Drobeda (Turnu Severin, RO). The camp was built to protect the southern head of the Trajan's Bridge . | |
| Praefectus legionis tertiaedecimae geminae, Burgo Novo | ||
| Praefectus legionis tertiaedecimae geminae, Zernis | ||
| Praefectus legionis tertiaedecimae geminae, Ratiaria | A division of Legio XIII Gemina , stationed in Ratiaria (Artschar, BG) after the Romans withdrew from Dacia under Aurelian . Other divisions of this legion were in the armies of | |
| Praefectus legionis quintae Macedonicae, Sucidava | A vexillation of the Legio V Macedonica , stationed in the fort of Sucidava or Celei (Corabia, RO). One of the longest bridges of antiquity stood here (2400 meters). A brick from Sucidava depicting two or three horses is further evidence of the presence of mounted units on the border of the Dacia Ripensis . | |
| Limitanei - Cohortes | ||
| Tribunus cohortis secundorum reducum, Siosta | An inscription referring to a Praepositus of this unit could be found in Sostra (Lomec, BG). It seems to indicate that the " Siosta " recorded in the Notitia is meant. | |
| Tribunus cohortis novae Sosticae ... | ||
| Classes | ||
| Praefectus classis Histricae, Aegetae | A unit of marines stationed together with a vexillation of the Legio XIII Gemina in the Quadriburgium Aegeta (Brza Palanka, SRB). Two provincial fleets were originally responsible for securing the middle and lower Danube: the Classis Pannonica and the Classis Moesica . Although one could assume that their area of operation was limited to the old great provinces of Pannonia and Moesia, this was not always the case. Thus, for the associations of the Classis Pannonica and the Classis Moesica, membership of the army of the Pannonia inferior and the Moesia inferior is documented by some military diplomas. The Classis Histricae ("Danube Fleet ") probably emerged from the two fleets in late antiquity . | |
| Praefectus classis Ratianensis | This unit of marines was stationed in the provincial capital Ratiaria . It was probably a division of the Classis Histricae . |
Remarks
- ↑ ND. or. XLII, 1 and 11
- ↑ [I (ovi)] O (ptimo) [M (aximo)] / Conservato [ri] / Aurel (ius) Priscu [s] / v (ir) p (erfectissimus) dux / v (otum) l (ibens) l (aetus) [s (olvit?)]
- ↑ Codex Theodosianus: XV 1.13
- ↑ See Codex Theodosianus, XV 1.13 , Rescript of Valentinian to the Dux Tautomedus.
- ↑ Zos. Hist. Nov. IV 34. 4: the Goths of Athanarich, Guidea / Zahariade 2016, pp. 25–26 and 76.
- ↑ Officium autem habet ita: / His staff as follows:
- ↑ ND or .: XLII
- ↑ ND or .: XLII, Sub dispositione viri spectabilis ducis Daciae riparensis , Guidea / Zahariade 2016, pp. 11–51, Mommsen 1910, p. 208, Grosse 1920, p. 52.
- ↑ ND or. magistri officiorum ; XI, 38.
- ↑ sub dispositions
- ↑ ND or. XLII, 4 and XLII, 13, CIL 5, 5823 , M. Speidel 2000, pp. 473-482.
- ↑ cuneus equitum Dalmatarum divitensium : ND or. XLII 14, CIL 3, 7415 , inscription Vidin: AE 1938,97 = NVMERVM DALMAT [.] RVM [..] VI [....], assuming that VI can be resolved as "Divitens", CIL 5 , 7000 (= ILS 2629) specifies the unit as NVM DAL DIVIT; CIL 5, 7001 as N DELM DIVIT; and CIL 5, 7012 as DELM DIVIT; D. Woods 2006, pp. 242-244, P. Speidel 2000, pp. 473-482.
- ↑ castellum (ND or. XLII, 5); Brick stamp CEBR; Legio V Macedonnica (ND or. XLII, 15), cuneus equitum scutariorum (ND or. XLII, 32)
- ↑ ND or. XLII, 16; ND or. XLII, 24.
- ↑ castellum (ND or. XLII, 7), cuneus equitum dalmatarum (ND or. XLII, 17).
- ↑ castellum (ND or. XLII, 9), Cuneus equitum dalmatarum (ND or. XLII, 18), Legio V Macedonica (ND or. XLII, 31), Guidea / Zahariade 2016, p. 41.
- ↑ castellum (ND or. XLII, 10); cuneus equitum stablesianorum (ND or. XLII, 19)
- ↑ ND or. XLII, 20, XLII, 34.
- ↑ Nicolae / Zahariade 2016, p. 42.
- ↑ ND or. XLII, 16.
- ↑ ND or. XLII 25
- ↑ Guidea / Zahariade 2016, p. 29.
- ↑ le (gio) XIII g (emina) p (ars) s (upstream)
- ↑ numerus dalmatarum, Legio XIII Gemina (ND or. XLII, 38); Fabrica (ND or. XLII, 4), Port of the Fleet (ND or. XLII, 43)
- ↑ Gudea / Zahariade 2016, p. 47.
- ↑ Eck / Pangerl 2014. pp. 215–237.
literature
- Otto Seeck : Notitia dignitatum. Accedunt notitia urbis Constantinopolitanae et laterculi provinciarum. Weidmann, Berlin 1876 ( digitized ; reprinting unchanged. Minerva, Frankfurt am Main 1962).
- J. Rodríguez González, Historia de las legiones Romanas, Madrid, 2003.
- Adrian Goldsworthy: Storia completa dellesercito romano, Modena 2007. ISBN 978-88-7940-306-1
- Yan Le Bohec: Armi e guerrieri di Roma antica. Da Diocleziano alla caduta dell'impero, Roma 2008. ISBN 978-88-430-4677-5
- Arnold Hugh Martin Jones, JR Martindale, J. Morris: The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire: Volume 2, AD 395-527. Cambridge University Press, 1980.
- Florian Matei-Popescu: The Roman Army in Moesia Inferior. National Museum of Romanian History, Center for Roman Military Studies, 7, Eds O. Tentea, F. Matei-Popescu; Conphys, Bucharest 2010, p. 228ff, ISBN 978-973-750-177-6 .
- MP Speidel: Who Fought in the Front? In G. Alföldy, B. Dobson, and W. Eck (eds.): Kaiser, Heer and Gesellschaft in der Römischen Kaiserzeit. Stuttgart, 2000.
- David Woods: Flavius Felix and the signum of the numerus Divitensium. Journal of Papyrology and Epigraphy, No. 156, 2006.
- Nicolae Gudea , Mihail Zahariade: Dacia Ripensis, fortresses on the northern border of the province and their troops, Amsterdam 2016. PDF
- Werner Eck, Andreas Pangerl: New diplomas for the troops of Moesia superior and inferior. Journal of Papyrology and Epigraphy, Volume 192, Dr. Rudolf Habelt GmbH, 2014.
- Ángel Morillo, Norbert Hanel, Esperanza Martín: Fortified towns to the north of the Lower Danube in the late Roman period: Drobeta and Sucidava, in: Limes XX, Vol. 2, 2006, pp. 731-740. PDF
