The Roman Army, 31 BC–AD 337: A Sourcebook
The Roman Army, 31 BC–AD 337: A Sourcebook
The Roman Army, 31 BC–AD 337: A Sourcebook
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226 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Roman</strong> <strong>Army</strong><br />
367 AE 1974. 283, inscription, Nuceria Alfaterna<br />
In honour of Marcus Virtius, son of Lucius, of the tribe Menenia, his<br />
father, veteran of Legion XIX.<br />
368 CIL 10. 1081=ILS 6446, inscription, Nuceria Alfaterna, 1st<br />
C.AD<br />
To Marcus Virtius Ceraunus, son of Marcus, of the tribe Menenia,<br />
aedile, Member of the Board of Two for conducting legal business,<br />
prefect of engineers (a local, not a military post), Member of the Board<br />
of Five, on whom the town councillors bestowed, free of cost (i.e. they<br />
waived the payment which he should have paid on taking up the<br />
magistracy), membership of the Board of Two at Nuceria, because of<br />
his generosity, in that he had set up a great equestrian statue and had<br />
granted a denarius to each citizen on the occasion of its dedication.<br />
Ceraunus’ generosity to Nuceria and his elaborate tomb suggest a wealthy<br />
man. He is the probably the son of M. Virtius (text no. 367), buried nearby,<br />
whose legion, XIX, is likely to have been that recruited by Caesar in 49 BC.<br />
<strong>The</strong>refore he may have been settled at Nuceria in 41 BC (Keppie 1983:151–2).<br />
Nuceria’s badge was a horse, which presumably explains the equestrian statue.<br />
369 CIL 8. 14697=ILS 2249, inscription, Thuburnica, Africa<br />
Quintus Annaeus Balbus, son of Quintus, of the tribe Pollia, from<br />
Faventia, fifty-three years of age, soldier of the fifth legion, twice<br />
decorated, Member of the Board of Two at Thuburnica, lies here. He<br />
lived his life honourably. Greetings to you too. On the decision of<br />
Quintus Annaeus Scapula.<br />
This inscription cannot be securely dated. Balbus may have served in the fifth<br />
Alaudae legion, which had been recruited by Caesar in Transalpine Gaul, and<br />
it is possible that he was settled in Africa after the battle of Thapsus in 46 BC.<br />
If so, since Balbus came from Faventia in Emilia-Romagna, not Transalpine<br />
Gaul, he had presumably been transferred to the V Alaudae from another unit.<br />
370 ILA 2201, inscription, Madaura, Africa<br />
Sacred to the spirits of the departed. Lucius Fotidius Absens, son of<br />
Lucius, of the tribe Pollia, veteran, priest of the Emperor (flamen<br />
Augusti) in perpetuity, served twenty-six years and lived ninety years,<br />
lies here.