The Roman Army in Egypt
Download as PPTX, PDF
1 like1,560 views
The Roman army garrison in Egypt consisted of two legions and auxiliary units totaling around 12,000 soldiers. The legions were stationed in Nicopolis near Alexandria to defend the provincial capital and suppress uprisings, while auxiliary units defended southern Egypt. Soldiers originated from across the Roman Empire but many were Egyptian. They followed local Egyptian religious practices rather than traditional Roman gods, as shown through inscriptions in temples praying to local deities. The army in Egypt was commanded by equestrians rather than senators. Greek language and culture had more influence in Egypt's army than elsewhere in the Empire.
The Roman Army in Egypt
- 1. THE ROMAN ARMY IN EGYPT David Orlovi
- 2. HISTORY OF ROMAN EGYPT PROVINCIA AEGYPTUS
- 3. HISTORY OF ROMAN EGYPT
- 4. Rudolf Haensch, The Roman Army in Egypt, in: C. Riggs, The Oxford Handbook of Roman Egypt, Oxford: Oxford University Press 2012. Characteristics specific to the Roman army in Egypt: composition of the garrison the origin of Roman soldiers and officers institutional regulation from Augusts times sources the papyri, ostraca and proskynemata insight into the lives of soldiers
- 5. THE GARRISON Augustan times Two legions : Legio III Cyrenaica, XXII Deiotariana Start of the 2nd century Just the Deiotariana 127 CE II Traiana which will stay there for the next two centuries. Auxiliary units: Constant number: 4 alae (500 soldiers each), 7-10 cohorts (500 soldiers) or cohortes equitatae (600 soldiers, of which 120 cavalry)
- 6. THE GARRISON Nicopolis (near Alexandria) Two legions based (8000 soldiers) Defending the praefects residence, and to suppress any possible uprising in Alexandria. Southern entry to Egypt (First cataract, between Silene and Philae (Aswan) Three auxiliary units. Defending from any southern attack or against uprisings in Thebae.
- 7. SMALLER OUTPOSTS Mons Claudianus (quarry) Island of Farasan (just one inscription)
- 8. ORIGIN OF SOLDIERS AND OFFICERS Auxiliares from Egypt, Africa, Syria, Asia Minor, Dacia, Thrace Egyptian army Roman names predominant (Ptolemaios became C. Julius Saturnalis) Officers: 7/18 from Egypt (comparison: of 41 Syrian none from Syria)
- 9. DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE ARMY IN EGYPT 1. Commanders came from equestrian rank, and not senatorial (as in other provinces) Augusts decision Less experienced, but no information on their activities 2. Greek-language character more than elsewhere in the empire Examples: one commander was designated as praefectus stratopedarches (head of the camp). Archistrator (equestrian official responsible for horses of the praefects staff)
- 10. A SOLDIERS LIFE SOURCES: Tables of manpower on certain dates, lists of staff, horses, letters, tables of pay Receipts from individual soldiers for paying (F. Mitthof reconstructed system of logistics in Roman Egypt) Glimpse into financial situation, social networks soldiers relied on
- 11. A SOLDIERS LIFE - proskynemata Special to Egypt Inscriptions in sanctuaries Only source of individual religious practice 1st/2nd c Written in Greek. Soldiers stated their unit names all of them auxiliary
- 12. A SOLDIERS LIFE - proskynemata Temple of Kalabsha Mandulis our lord 50 inscriptions No mention of emperor cult, only local deities.
- 13. A SOLDIERS LIFE LETTERS: other source for religious life. Prayers for the recipient directed to the gods among whom I dwell again no Roman deities. Serapis prayers instead of Neptune (for crossing the Mediterranean) and Mars (for rising in the military hierarchy) Religious dedication to local deities common to all auxiliary soldiers in other provinces.