Original scientific paper
The sepulchral inscription from Klapavice mentioning Gaius Alasinius Valentinus, a centurion of the VIII Voluntariorum Cohort
Dino Demicheli
orcid.org/0000-0002-5911-7903
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Filozofski fakultet, Odsjek za arheologiju
Abstract
The paper analyzes the Roman sepulchral inscription found at Klapavice site in 2006. The inscription is carved on a stela used in Middle Ages as a grave slab. The preserved part commemorates Gaius Alasinius Valentinus, a centurion of the VIII Cohort of Roman Citizen Volunteers (cohors VIII Voluntariorum civium Romanorum). In the author’s opinion, he is mentioned here as the commemorator who has erected the inscribed memorial to his parents. The cohort he was a centurion in is the best epigraphically confirmed cohort in Dalmatia. This is no surprise, given the fact that, of all Roman units, the VIII Cohort stayed in the province for the longest period of time – from the 1st century AD to not earlier than mid-3rd century AD. The gentilicium Alasinius is very rarely confirmed on epigraphic monuments: in addition to this one, it is only found in two inscriptions from the same area. It is therefore assumed that it is of local origin. As one of them, found in the early 20th century, mentions another soldier of the VIII Cohort, they were probably members of the same family serving in the same unit. Based on the epigraphic confirmations in Dalmatia and in other provinces of the Empire, this article also makes observations on the internal structure of the VIII Cohort.
Keywords
inscriptions; Dalmatia; Klapavice; VIII Cohort of Volunteers; Alasinius; centurion; prefect; tribune; cohortes voluntariorum civium Romanorum; cohors equita
Hrčak ID:
176731
URI
Publication date:
21.12.2016.
Visits: 2.456 *