Original scientific paper

The Roman military diploma from Podgrađe (Asseria)

Mato Ilkić

Abstract

This paper contains data on a heretofore unknown Roman military
diploma which was recently discovered by chance in the area of
Asseria, a rich archaeological site next to the village of Podgrađe
near the town of Benkovac. This is a rather rare epigraphic find
with a legal character, i.e. only the fourth inscription of this type
from the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea. The Asserian military
diploma, although not preserved in its entirety, carries a wealth of
valuable data, particularly important to a better understanding of
Roman military history. It was issued during the reign of Emperor
Hadrian, at the time he held the post of tribune for the tenth
time, which makes it possible to date the Asserian document to
125/126. The emperor’s name with titular on this Roman military
diploma is followed by a list of auxiliary units whose honourably
discharged soldiers were granted Roman citizenship rights. First
two alae are mentioned. This is followed by a series of five cohorts.
Then an auxiliary cavalry formation is once more mentioned,
the vexillatio equitum Illyricorum/Illyricianis. Data on their region
of service follow. This is Dacia Inferior, a Roman province at the
time administered by Cocceius Naso. Little is known of him. As
a procurator in this Roman province, he became known only
recently, thanks to diplomas issued several years prior to this
example found in Asseria. Unfortunately, data on the person
receiving the military diploma, among other things, have not been
preserved. Even so, at the end of the article, the author posits that
its owner may in fact have been a veteran of the Illyrian cavalry
vexillation. The diploma is originally from Asseria, a Liburnian town which was situated in Illyrian territory, an area whence cavalry troops for this Roman military formation were recruited.

Keywords

Podgrađe (Asseria); Roman military diploma (constitutio); alae; cohorts; vexillatio equitum Illyricorum/Illyricianis; Dacia Inferior; Cocceius Naso

Hrčak ID:

47740

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/47740

Publication date:

1.12.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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