Roman Marines

[ambrosius]

During the Empire, would it be normal for Marines<br>
(Classiarii/Nautarum) to transfer from the fleet to<br>
the Legions, rather than vice-versa? I'm thinking<br>
of the Leg I & II Adiutrix, which were formed from<br>
two of the Roman fleets. Would it be true to say<br>
that Marines were a part of the auxiliaries, and as<br>
such, were non-citizens, paid less and had to<br>
serve 26/7 years rather than the 25 of the Legion-<br>
aries? So forming/recruiting into the Legions from<br>
the Marines would be a normal career progression.<br>
<br>
There's also a diploma, found on the beach at<br>
the Late Roman Shore Fort at Ravenglass in<br>
Cumbria. It names a cavalryman from the Cohors<br>
I Aelia Classica. This would indicate one of the<br>
infantry cohorts formed by Hadrian from elements<br>
of the Classis Britannica. It looks like Marines<br>
were thus recruited into auxiliary infantry/cavalry<br>
units, which may also have still retained their<br>
naval abilities (this being a coastal fort).<br>
<br>
Ambrosius<br>
<br>
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