Numerus Hemesenorum

The Numerus Hemesenorum [Antoninianus] ( German Numerus from Emesa [the Antoninian] ) was a Roman auxiliary unit . It is documented by inscriptions.

Name components

Hemesenorum : from Emesa . The soldiers of the Numerus were recruited from the city of Emesa and the surrounding area when the unit was set up.

Antoninianus : the Antoninian. An honorary title that refers to Caracalla (211-217). The addition appears in the inscription ( CIL 8, 2494 ).

history

The number may have been established by Septimius Severus in AD 198 . It is evidenced by several inscriptions found at Calceus Herculis in the province of Numidia , which are dated to 209-222. Under Caracalla , the unit built watchtowers there.

If the unit is identical to the Numerus Emesenorum mentioned on a papyrus found in Egypt, then the Numerus consisted of both foot soldiers and horsemen. The soldiers of the unit were probably archers in this case.

A Numerus Regiorum Emesenorum Iudaeorum is documented by the inscription CIL 5, 8764 , which is dated to 381/400. Due to the time lag, an identity of this unit with the Numerus Hemesenorum is questionable.

Locations

Locations of the Numerus in Numidia were:

Calceus Herculis ( Meninx ): Several inscriptions have been found here. The unit was probably stationed here together with the Numerus Palmyrenorum .

Members of the number

The following members of the number are known:

Commanders

C (aius) Iulius Aelurio, a centurion of the Legio III Augusta and Praepositus of the unit ( AE 1933, 45 , AE 1933, 46 , CIL 8, 2494 )

Iulius Draco, a centurion of the Legio III Augusta and Praepositus ( AE 1933, 47 )
[M (arcus)] Ulpius Optatu [s], a centurion of the Legio III Augusta and Praepositus ( AE 1926, 145 )

Others

P (ublius) Claudius, a Cornicularius ( AE 1933, 48 )

Remarks

↑ This is believed by some historians. According to Marcus Reuter , however, this assumption cannot be substantiated.

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e 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. 390–391, 497– 500.

[GE-1] This is believed by some historians. According to Marcus Reuter , however, this assumption cannot be substantiated.

[mr-2] 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. 390–391, 497– 500.