07-27-2015, 02:52 AM
the rank structures alluded to on the Aurelius Gauis inscription
That would be the references to optio triarius, optio ordinatus, optio princeps?
Terms that are new, old and antique all in one inscription!
The one thing that does seem clear to me is that the third century was not kind to the First cohort. Starting the century back to six centurions and the assumption of normal-sized centuries (AE 1993, 1364 and CIL 13, 06801) and ending the century being vexillated like all the rest - III Italica in Mauritania (AE 1972, 00710) - the First cohort lost its luster. Perhaps ordinarius became the common term because all centurions were now the same? The goal was no longer to make the primi ordines but to make praepositus (or dux, or Caesar or Augustus!)?
That would be the references to optio triarius, optio ordinatus, optio princeps?
Terms that are new, old and antique all in one inscription!
The one thing that does seem clear to me is that the third century was not kind to the First cohort. Starting the century back to six centurions and the assumption of normal-sized centuries (AE 1993, 1364 and CIL 13, 06801) and ending the century being vexillated like all the rest - III Italica in Mauritania (AE 1972, 00710) - the First cohort lost its luster. Perhaps ordinarius became the common term because all centurions were now the same? The goal was no longer to make the primi ordines but to make praepositus (or dux, or Caesar or Augustus!)?
