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

The officers 49
standard-bearer; he was promoted to centurion by the vote of the [same]
legion, served as centurion of Legion I Italica, centurion of Legion VI
F[errata], centurion of Legion I Minervia, centurion of Legion X
Gemina, centurion of Legion II A[ugusta], centurion of Legion III
Augusta, centurion of Legion III Gallica, centurion of Legion XXX
Ulpia, centurion of Legion VI Victrix, centurion of Legion III Cyrenaica,
centurion of Legion XV Apollinaris, centurion of Legion II Parthica,
centurion of Legion I Adiutrix; in the Parthian expedition he was
decorated for bravery with a Wall and Rampart Crown and with
Necklaces and Ornaments; he was in his eightieth year at the completion
of this monument for himself and for Claudia Marcia Capitolina, his
beloved wife, who was in her sixty-fifth year at the time of the
completion of this monument, and for his son, Marcus Petronius
Fortunatus, who served in the army for six years, centurion of Legion
XXII Primigenia, centurion of Legion II Augusta, lived thirty-five years;
for their beloved son, Fortunatus and Marcia, his parents, built this as
a memorial.
See E. B. Birley 1965. This man’s forty-six years of service as a centurion in
thirteen legions saw him transferred from Lower Moesia to Syria Palestina (he
probably met his wife in Jerusalem), Lower Germany, Upper Pannonia, Britain,
Numidia, Syria, Lower Germany, Britain, Arabia, Cappadocia, probably Albanum
in Italy, and Upper or Lower Pannonia. These long-distance transfers can hardly
be seen as promotions for a soldier who did not reach the primi ordines; it seems
rather that the government used him as circumstances demanded. There were
doubtless many experienced centurions who were not set for higher things and
who were proud simply of their status as centurion. For the appointment of a
centurion on the vote of the legion, see also AE 1976. 540.
87 CIL 8. 2877 = ILS 2653, inscription, Lambaesis, Africa,
3rd C. AD
(Bust of a man holding a book.) To the spirits of the departed. Titus
Flavius Virilis, centurion of Legion II Augusta, centurion of Legion XX
Valeria Victrix, centurion of Legion VI Victrix, centurion of Legion
XX Valeria Victrix, centurion of Legion III Augusta, centurion of Legion
III Parthica Severiana as hastatus posterior of the ninth cohort, lived
seventy years and served forty-five years. Lollia Bodicca, his wife, and
Victor and Victorinus, sons of Flavius, his heirs, had this constructed
at a cost of 1,200 sesterces.
Virilis held six posts as centurion, two in one legion at different times; the first
four were in Britain, where he presumably met his wife; then he was transferred