12-18-2004, 08:01 AM
Yes, its a really tricky one.<br>
The only other (rather dodgy) evidence I know is from a damaged relief of Marcus Aurelius reused in the Arch of Constantine, where there is a shield with inter-twined dolphins and tridents. Similar to the Praeneste relief shield in that the trident is vertical, with twin dolphins entwined above and below the umbo. Does this symbolism indicate a Marine? Only possibly.<br>
<br>
I don't know the Tacitus quote- what does it say?<br>
<br>
Another source (Michael Lane- The Order of Battle for the Civil Wars 68-70 AD) says that one reason for the enthusiasm of sailors/ marines to join Legio I and II Adiutrix was that the pay would have trebled. Given that generally pay=status, is this a reason why individuals would have preferred to refer to themselves on their gravestones as soldiers rather than marines?<br>
<br>
"all naval personnel call themselves miles, manipularis or gregalis (soldier, prolly pointing to their legal status) but none (out of about 1000) call themselves epibata (=marine)"<br>
I think that miles/ manipularis/ gregalis all would equate to Roman citizens? Again from Lane- "they (the ex-Marines joining up) do not appear to have been granted citizenship until the completion of their term of service". Don't know the evidence for this.<br>
<br>
Epibata is an interesting word- my Greek is non-existent, but epi normally means on/ upon/ above. Bata I don't know the meaning of (bar that it means boat in Gaelic- sadly irrelevant ). Now IF it did mean "on boat" could it simply be a catch all description for a soldier/ armed sailor on a boat i.e. you might be a miles on shore, but step on board the liburna and you are an epibata?<br>
<br>
Your thoughts? Good luck with the paper on marines- a tough one, I think!<br>
<br>
Regards<br>
<br>
Paulus<br>
<p></p><i></i>
The only other (rather dodgy) evidence I know is from a damaged relief of Marcus Aurelius reused in the Arch of Constantine, where there is a shield with inter-twined dolphins and tridents. Similar to the Praeneste relief shield in that the trident is vertical, with twin dolphins entwined above and below the umbo. Does this symbolism indicate a Marine? Only possibly.<br>
<br>
I don't know the Tacitus quote- what does it say?<br>
<br>
Another source (Michael Lane- The Order of Battle for the Civil Wars 68-70 AD) says that one reason for the enthusiasm of sailors/ marines to join Legio I and II Adiutrix was that the pay would have trebled. Given that generally pay=status, is this a reason why individuals would have preferred to refer to themselves on their gravestones as soldiers rather than marines?<br>
<br>
"all naval personnel call themselves miles, manipularis or gregalis (soldier, prolly pointing to their legal status) but none (out of about 1000) call themselves epibata (=marine)"<br>
I think that miles/ manipularis/ gregalis all would equate to Roman citizens? Again from Lane- "they (the ex-Marines joining up) do not appear to have been granted citizenship until the completion of their term of service". Don't know the evidence for this.<br>
<br>
Epibata is an interesting word- my Greek is non-existent, but epi normally means on/ upon/ above. Bata I don't know the meaning of (bar that it means boat in Gaelic- sadly irrelevant ). Now IF it did mean "on boat" could it simply be a catch all description for a soldier/ armed sailor on a boat i.e. you might be a miles on shore, but step on board the liburna and you are an epibata?<br>
<br>
Your thoughts? Good luck with the paper on marines- a tough one, I think!<br>
<br>
Regards<br>
<br>
Paulus<br>
<p></p><i></i>
