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

The army in the later empire 241
392 CIL 6. 3637=ILS 2346, inscription, Rome, early 4th C. AD
Sacred to the spirits of the departed. Valerius Genialis, soldier of Legion
II Divitensis Italica, standard-bearer, lived fifty years, served twentysix
years; Verina erected this to an estimable man.
The II Divitensis Italica was evidently a detachment of the II Italica stationed in
Noricum, which had been sent to Divitia on the right bank of the Rhine. It may
be conjectured that Constantine brought it with him to Italy in his campaign
against Maxentius, and that Valerius Genialis had died there. The legion then
remained as part of the Comitatenses, among which it is listed subsequently in
the Notitia Dignitatum. Constantine considerably strengthened the field army,
which now consisted of infantry legions (some may have been only one thousand
strong), newly constituted infantry auxilia, cavalry regiments, and various other
detachments and sections of the field force that had operated under Diocletian.
The emperor normally took charge of the comitatenses himself, but two new
commanders were appointed—the magister peditum (commander of the
infantry), and the magister equitum (cavalry commander), although the earliest
known example is in the 340s. In the privileges granted to his troops Constantine
eventually distinguished between the soldiers of the field army and territorial
troops permanently stationed in the provinces.
393 FIRA 1. 93, inscription, Brigetio (Szöny), Upper
Pannonia, AD 311
Emperor Caesar Flavius Valerius Constantine Pius Fortunate
Unconquered Augustus, chief priest, in the seventh year of his tribunician
power, acclaimed imperator six times, consul, father of the fatherland,
proconsul, and Emperor Caesar Valerius Licinianus [Licinius] Pius
Fortunate Unconquered Augustus, chief priest, in the fourth year of
his tribunician power, acclaimed imperator three times, consul, father
of the fatherland, proconsul.
Copy of the sacred letter.
Greetings, our dearest Dalmatius.
Since we wish always to show consideration in respect of all the
benefits and privileges of our soldiers in keeping with their loyalty and
toil, we thought it right, dearest Dalmatius, that in this matter also we
ought to show consideration for our said soldiers through the
providence of our arrangements. Accordingly, since we see the toils of
our said soldiers which they undertake through constant expeditions
on behalf of the stability and good of the state, we thought it right to
make provision and arrangements in order that through our foresight
they may happily enjoy during the period of their military service the
pleasant fruits of their own toil, and after military service may have