The Roman Army, 31 BC–AD 337: A Sourcebook

The army in the field 85
This inscription appeared on two columns, only one of which now survives,
and listed the legions in geographical order from west to east, starting with
Britain; legions in an upper province are mentioned before those in a lower.
However the second and third Italica legions, recruited by Marcus Aurelius,
and the three Parthicae legions recruited by Septimius Severus, are not in order
and have been added at the end. This indicates that the list was inscribed, or at
least compiled, early in Marcus’ reign. The purpose of the inscription is obscure;
perhaps it was intended to celebrate Roman military prowess, or it may have
served as an official record of army units.
The army list gives a good picture of Roman priorities in the disposition of
the legions; there were sixteen legions in the northern areas of the empire,
including eleven along the Danube, whereas the eastern frontier areas had eleven
(two of these being in Judaea with the primary function of controlling the
Jews, and two in the new province of Mesopotamia). Britain, with three legions
and a large force of auxiliaries, was always considered to need a large garrison.
See Figures 3 and 4.
145 Arrian (2nd C.AD), Periplous 6. 1–2
Before midday we journeyed more than sixty miles to Apsarus, where
five cohorts are stationed. (Section 2) I gave the soldiers their pay and
inspected the weapons, and the fortifications, and the ditch, and the
sick, and the existing supply of food. The opinion I formed on these
matters I have written down in my Latin report.
Apsarus lay in the south-east corner of the Black Sea, which was within the
responsibility of Arrian as governor of Cappadocia (c. AD 135). He toured
small military establishments of auxiliary soldiers in the area and wrote reports
for Hadrian. The Periplous is an account in Greek of his experiences including
points of topographical and antiquarian interest.
146 Arrian, Periplous 9. 3–5
As regards the fort (near the river Phasis), where four hundred picked
soldiers are stationed, in my opinion it is very strong because of the
nature of the terrain, and very suitably placed for the protection of those
sailing in the area. The wall is encircled by two ditches, each one of
which is wide. (Section 4) Formerly the wall was made of earth and the
towers were of wood. But now the wall is constructed from baked bricks,
and the towers as well. The wall has strong foundations and war machines
have been positioned upon it, and in a word, everything is fitted out so
as to prevent any of the barbarians from approaching it and to ensure
that those manning the fort incur no risk of a siege. (Section 5)
Since the harbour needed to be secure for ships, and also the territory