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

The army in the field 105
of each type, with the most important being reserved for senators of
consular standing, although the corona civica could be won by any
soldier (text no. 170). Awards of military decorations were normally
made to Roman citizens, but a few examples show that non-citizen
auxiliaries could be decorated, though this may have been restricted to
junior officers. In the second century entire auxiliary units were
sometimes granted a title derived from a decoration (e.g. torquata).
It was the emperor’s responsibility on the recommendation of his
officers to decide on military decorations, which he could award
personally if present on campaign. Otherwise the duty fell to the
recipient’s immediate commander. Soldiers proudly record their military
decorations on memorial inscriptions and significantly represent them
as a personal grant from the emperor (Maxfield 1981).
In Roman tradition, fortitude and disciplined readiness for battle
were at the root of their conquest of Italy and the Mediterranean, and
‘Romana disciplina’ distinguished them from their rivals. Military law
was strict particularly in respect of cowardice and desertion. But the
enforcement of discipline was uneven since it was the responsibility of
individual commanders, and not all emperors were politically secure
enough to give a strong lead (Campbell 1984:190–8; 300–11).
170 ILS 2637=EJ 248, inscription, near Tibur (Tivoli), north-east of
Rome, early 1st C.AD
Marcus Helvius Rufus Civica, son of Marcus, of the tribe Camilia,
chief centurion, bestowed a bath building on the townsmen and
residents.
Helvius Rufus, as a legionary soldier, had been decorated in AD 20 by L.
Apronius, proconsul of Africa, with necklaces and spear, and by Tiberius himself
with the civic crown for bravery in action and for saving the life of a fellowsoldier
(Tacitus, Annals 3. 21; Aulus Gellius, Attic Nights 5. 6. 14). Rufus in
order to commemorate his distinction had apparently adopted the nickname
‘Civica’. Although the civic crown could be won by all soldiers, this is the last
known example of the award of a spear to anyone of lower rank than a senior
centurion.
171 CIL 12. 2230 = ILS 2313, inscription, Cularo (Grenoble),
Narbonensis, 2nd C.AD
To the spirits of the departed, in honour of Titus Camulius Lavenus
(?), son of Lucius, veteran of the Legion III Gallica, granted an
honourable discharge by Emperor Antoninus Augustus Pius, and on