Numerus Collatus

A Numerus Collatus (or Conlatus ) ( German numerus of the summarized ) was a Roman auxiliary unit . Several of these units are documented by inscriptions.

The nominal strength of a numerus collatus is unknown. In the inscription ( CIL 8, 4323 ) the number of soldiers of the number is given as 126. The inscription ( AE 1980, 960 ) shows that the number in this case was composed of riders.

Name components

Collatus or Conlatus : the summarized. When the unit was set up, the soldiers of the numerus were seconded from units that were stationed in the respective North African province.

history

Units with the name Numerus Collatus are documented in the provinces of Africa , Mauretania Caesariensis and Numidia by inscriptions for the years 197/198 to 282/284 AD. A numerus collatus is likely to have been a unit put together only temporarily for a limited period of time or for a specific task (in contrast to the numerus electorum , which was presumably formed for a longer period of time). After completing the task, the seconded soldiers then returned to their home units.

Locations

Locations of a Numerus Collatus in Africa were possibly:

Gholaia Castle (Bu Njem): The inscription ( AE 1972, 677 ) was found here.
Praesidium Si Aioun : The inscription ( AE 1909, 104 ) was found here.

Members of the number

The following members of a Numerus Collatus are known:

Commanders

Aemilius Emeritus ( AE 1909, 104 , CIL 8, 17953 ). He was Decurio of the Ala I Pannoniorum and was delegated as the Praepositus des Numerus and the Cohors II Flavia Afrorum .

C (aius) Iulius Paulinus, a centurion of the Cohors II Maurorum ( CIL 8, 4323 ).

Remarks

↑ According to Marcus Reuter , the Numeri Collati and the Numerus Conlatus listed in the inscriptions are very likely to have been different units.
↑ ^a ^b According to Marcus Reuter there are the following indications for the temporary, time-limited character of a Numerus Collatus : 1) In the inscription ( CIL 8, 4323 ) the soldiers of the Numerus refer to themselves as vexillarii and not as milites . 2) The number and the vexillation of Legio III Augusta from the inscription ( AE 1972, 677 ) were probably put together solely to form the presumably annually changing crew of the Gholaia fort . It is known from inscriptions found at Castellum Dimmidi that vexillations of the Legio III Augusta and the Numerus Palmyrenorum formed the (presumably annually) changing garrison of the fort.
↑ According to Marcus Reuter, Numerus probably built the small fort together with parts of the Cohors II Flavia Afrorum .

Individual evidence

^ ^A ^b ^c ^d Marcus Reuter : Studies on the numbers of the Roman Army in the Middle Imperial Era, dissertation, In: Reports of the Roman-Germanic Commission 80, 1999, pp. 359–569, here pp. 473–476.
^ Michael P. Speidel : Numerus electorum in Africa and Mauretania , In: Antiquités africaines 23, 1987, pp. 193-196, here p. 196 ( online ).
↑ Michael P. Speidel: Outpost duty in the desert. Building the Fort at Gholaia (Bu Njem, Libya) , In: Antiquités africaines 24, 1988, pp. 99-102, here p. 101 ( online ).

[EIN-1] According to Marcus Reuter , the Numeri Collati and the Numerus Conlatus listed in the inscriptions are very likely to have been different units.

[GE-4] According to Marcus Reuter there are the following indications for the temporary, time-limited character of a Numerus Collatus : 1) In the inscription ( CIL 8, 4323 ) the soldiers of the Numerus refer to themselves as vexillarii and not as milites . 2) The number and the vexillation of Legio III Augusta from the inscription ( AE 1972, 677 ) were probably put together solely to form the presumably annually changing crew of the Gholaia fort . It is known from inscriptions found at Castellum Dimmidi that vexillations of the Legio III Augusta and the Numerus Palmyrenorum formed the (presumably annually) changing garrison of the fort.

[ST2-6] According to Marcus Reuter, Numerus probably built the small fort together with parts of the Cohors II Flavia Afrorum .

[mr-2] A ^b ^c ^d Marcus Reuter : Studies on the numbers of the Roman Army in the Middle Imperial Era, dissertation, In: Reports of the Roman-Germanic Commission 80, 1999, pp. 359–569, here pp. 473–476.

[mps1-3] Michael P. Speidel : Numerus electorum in Africa and Mauretania , In: Antiquités africaines 23, 1987, pp. 193-196, here p. 196 ( online ).

[mps2-5] Michael P. Speidel: Outpost duty in the desert. Building the Fort at Gholaia (Bu Njem, Libya) , In: Antiquités africaines 24, 1988, pp. 99-102, here p. 101 ( online ).