03-09-2004, 03:05 AM
Hey Guys,<br>
I'm new to the site. Been a Roman Army nut for a long time. Been wondering what's the latest theories/views regrading the Auxiliary units in Judea in the Pre-Flavian period. I guess the common view from Jospehus is that there were 5 Auxiliary Cohorts drawn from Caesarea,Ascalon, Ptolemais, Joppa and Sebaste, and an Ala drawn from Sebaste(leftovers from Herod's army). I've also heard the argument over the possbilty of one of the two Italian citizen cohorts being based in Judea, as well, though I guess there been some disagreement as to when. Have there been any scholarly works lately that have added to this field? I know Speidal wrote a short article on the subject, but I can't get my hands on it for the life of me. Also, what's the prevailing theory on the Prefect/Procurator's officium(staff) in Judea? I know some works have been written regarding the staffs of certain Pro-Consular and Imperial Provincal Governors, but I've haven't heard much about what type of system would have been in place in the Equestrian provinces. How big would the offcium in these have been? Would it have been drawn from one of the Legions in Syria, or would it have been taken of Auxiliaries from the Province? Seems odd that a Roman official wouldn't have at least some Roman/ Italian staff with him, especially since he would have probably needed citizens to act as of translators, speculatores, financial clerks, and judicial officers. Presumably, the Legates and Emperors(not to mention the Prefects themselves) would have also wanted their Prefects and Procurators inner circles to be more "Roman", especially in the early days of the Principate, when the Auxilaries were far more "ethnic". Just wanted to see what the everyone thought.<br>
--Mike B <p></p><i></i>
I'm new to the site. Been a Roman Army nut for a long time. Been wondering what's the latest theories/views regrading the Auxiliary units in Judea in the Pre-Flavian period. I guess the common view from Jospehus is that there were 5 Auxiliary Cohorts drawn from Caesarea,Ascalon, Ptolemais, Joppa and Sebaste, and an Ala drawn from Sebaste(leftovers from Herod's army). I've also heard the argument over the possbilty of one of the two Italian citizen cohorts being based in Judea, as well, though I guess there been some disagreement as to when. Have there been any scholarly works lately that have added to this field? I know Speidal wrote a short article on the subject, but I can't get my hands on it for the life of me. Also, what's the prevailing theory on the Prefect/Procurator's officium(staff) in Judea? I know some works have been written regarding the staffs of certain Pro-Consular and Imperial Provincal Governors, but I've haven't heard much about what type of system would have been in place in the Equestrian provinces. How big would the offcium in these have been? Would it have been drawn from one of the Legions in Syria, or would it have been taken of Auxiliaries from the Province? Seems odd that a Roman official wouldn't have at least some Roman/ Italian staff with him, especially since he would have probably needed citizens to act as of translators, speculatores, financial clerks, and judicial officers. Presumably, the Legates and Emperors(not to mention the Prefects themselves) would have also wanted their Prefects and Procurators inner circles to be more "Roman", especially in the early days of the Principate, when the Auxilaries were far more "ethnic". Just wanted to see what the everyone thought.<br>
--Mike B <p></p><i></i>
