Numerus Melenuensium

The Numerus Melenuensium ( German Numerus Melenuensium ) was a Roman auxiliary unit . It is documented by two inscriptions.

The nominal strength of the number was probably around 500 men, but possibly even 1000 men. Due to the operations outside the actual stationing province, it is assumed that the unit was probably a mobile elite force.

Name components

Melenuensium : The addition is probably derived from the geographical name of a place or river and probably refers to an (unknown) location of the unit.

history

The number is attested by two inscriptions from the first half of the 3rd century AD. These inscriptions show that the unit, together with the Numerus Exploratorum Germanicianorum Divitiensium, took part in campaigns in the province of Mauretania Caesariensis and in the east of the Roman Empire.

The unit probably originated from a vexillatio melenuensium , which was formed from soldiers detached from other auxiliary units. The home garrison of the Numerus may have been in Germania superior .

Locations

Locations of the numerus are not known.

Members of the number

The following members of the number are known:

Aprili (u) s Spectatus, a soldier ( CIL 3, 728 ). He erected a tombstone for his brother Aprilius Lecterus , a soldier of the Numerus Exploratorum Germanicianorum Divitiensium .
Tamonius Siluverus, ( CIL 8, 9060 )

Remarks

↑ According to Marcus Reuter, this was accepted by Michael P. Speidel , since the Numerus Melenuensium was used together with the Numerus Exploratorum Germanicianorum Divitiensium . Speidel therefore assumed that the Numerus Melenuensium was of a similar magnitude and the same military type as the Numerus Exploratorum Germanicianorum Divitiensium .
↑ The reading of the name at EDCS is Itamonis Ituveri .

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Marcus Reuter : Studies on the numbers of the Roman Army in the Middle Imperial Period , Dissertation, In: Reports of the Roman-Germanic Commission 80, 1999, pp. 359–569, here pp. 514–516.

[SO-2] According to Marcus Reuter, this was accepted by Michael P. Speidel , since the Numerus Melenuensium was used together with the Numerus Exploratorum Germanicianorum Divitiensium . Speidel therefore assumed that the Numerus Melenuensium was of a similar magnitude and the same military type as the Numerus Exploratorum Germanicianorum Divitiensium .

[AN-3] The reading of the name at EDCS is Itamonis Ituveri .

[mr-1] Marcus Reuter : Studies on the numbers of the Roman Army in the Middle Imperial Period , Dissertation, In: Reports of the Roman-Germanic Commission 80, 1999, pp. 359–569, here pp. 514–516.