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

200 The Roman Army
the fatherland, censor, consul for the seventh time, designated for an
eighth, have appended the names of the special bodyguards
(speculatores) who served in my praetorian guard, and also of the
soldiers who served in the nine praetorian and four urban cohorts, to
whom, as they have courageously and loyally performed their military
service, I grant the right of marriage (conubium), with one wife and
the first one only, so that, even if they unite in marriage with women of
non-Roman status, they may raise their children just as if they have
been born from two Roman citizens.
2 December in the consulship of Galeo Tettienus Petronianus and
Marcus Fulvius Gillo.
Sixth praetorian cohort: to Lucius Ennius Ferox, son of Lucius, of
the tribe Tromentina, from Aquae Statiellae (Acqui in Liguria).
Recorded and authenticated from the bronze plaque, which is affixed
at Rome on the Capitoline on the base of the statue of Jupiter of Africa.
The wording of praetorian diplomas is significantly different from the others.
First, the emperor is in personal charge; there is no mention of the praetorian
prefects or any other subordinate officer. Second, he uses the first person
throughout in contrast to other diplomas, where the third person is employed.
Third, an honorific phrase referring to courageous and loyal service is added.
Emperors found it expedient to emphasize their especially close personal
association with their bodyguard.
328 Roxan 1985:132, diploma, Butovo, near Nicopolis ad Istrum,
Lower Moesia, AD 228
I, Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurellius Severus Alexander Pius Fortunate
Augustus, son of the divine Antoninus Magnus Pius, grandson of the
divine Severus Pius, chief priest, in the seventh year of my tribunician
power, consul for the second time, father of the fatherland, in respect
of the soldiers whose names are listed who served in the ten Severan
praetorian cohorts, I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, VIIII, X, Loyal and
Avenging, and who have courageously and loyally performed their
military service, grant the right of marriage (conubium) with one wife
and the first one only, so that, even if they unite in marriage with women
of non-Roman status, they may raise their children just as if they have
been born from two Roman citizens.
7 January in the consulship of Quintus Aiacius Modestus for the
second time and Marcus Maecius Probus.
First Severan praetorian cohort Loyal and Avenging: to Marcus
Aurelius Secundus, son of Marcus, of the tribe Ulpia, from Nicopolis.