02-13-2011, 12:00 AM
If the name really is 'Cispadanensium', the cohort would presumably have been originally formed in the region of the old Gallia Cispadana - that part of the Cisalpine Gaul (ie northern Italy) south of the Po (Padus) and north of the Rubicon. The inhabitants of this area were made full Roman citizens in 88BC, before those across the Po (Gallia Transpadana), who only got the Latin right. After Caesar, the whole of Cisalpine Gaul was given citizenship and integrated with Italy.
The name of the cohort therefore refers to an area of northern Italy, actually a fertile recruiting ground for legionary troops in the early empire. Perhaps it was originally one of the Roman volunteer citizen cohorts? Like most other auxiliary units, however, it would have recruited locally as time went on, and so probably lost its original 'Italian' character.
- Nathan
The name of the cohort therefore refers to an area of northern Italy, actually a fertile recruiting ground for legionary troops in the early empire. Perhaps it was originally one of the Roman volunteer citizen cohorts? Like most other auxiliary units, however, it would have recruited locally as time went on, and so probably lost its original 'Italian' character.
- Nathan
Nathan Ross
