"Child Soldiers" in the Imperial Legions

[The Alexandrian]

The average age for recruitment into the Imperial legions was c. 17-19. But I have read about several tombstones of soldiers who enlisted as young as 13 or 14. One was mentioned on a damaged grave marker from Britannia, dating to the 1st Century, though his name has been lost. Aurelius Verecudinus, a centurion of the II Parthica who died at Apamea in the early 3rd Century, enlisted in a Danube legion at the age of 15.

I am looking for any addition references to soldiers who joined the army at the age of 15 or younger. Could anyone help me out with this? :mrgreen:

[Marcus Mummius]

I once started a thread on 'Recruitment age in the Roman Army'. You might find it on the forum if you use the search function.

I remember there was a lot of good info in that thread!

Best regards,

[D B Campbell]

Quick and dirty database of ages ("qui vixit") and years of service ("stipendiorum"). Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to subtract the one from the other!

Belegstelle: AE 1917/18, 00127
vix/{s}it ann(os) XXX / stipendiorum / VI

Belegstelle: AE 1924, 00101
stipendi(i)s XI / vix(it) ann(os) XXXV

Belegstelle: AE 1929, 00262 = AE 1979, 00259
stipendiorum / XVIIII / vixit annos / XXXXIII

Belegstelle: AE 1934, 00125
stip(endiorum) VI vixit ann(os) / XXVI

Belegstelle: AE 1948, 00147
stip(endiorum) XV vix(it) / ann(os) XXXV

Belegstelle: AE 1951, 00041
stipendiorum / V vixit annis XXV

Belegstelle: AE 1962, 00112
sti(pendiorum) XXII vix(it) ann(os) XLII

Belegstelle: AE 1965, 00047 = AE 1967, 00371 = AE 1969/70, 00480
vix(it) an(nos) XL d(ies) XXIIII stip(endiorum) XXI

Belegstelle: AE 1967, 00366 = AE 1969/70, 00478
st(ipendiorum) XVII vix(it) an(nos) XXXV

Belegstelle: AE 1967, 00386 = AE 1982, 00825 = IDR-03-05-02, 00544
stip(endiorum) V / vixit an(nos) XXI[--

Belegstelle: AE 1972, 00382
stip(endiorum) XXIIII qui vix(it) ann(os) / XXXX

Belegstelle: AE 1974, 00546
stip(endiorum) XXXII / vix[i]t an(nos) LV

Belegstelle: AE 1977, 00792
st[ip(endiorum)] / XX vixit an[n(os)] / XXX[--]

Belegstelle: AE 1977, 00819
stip(endiorum) VIII / vixit / annos XXVI

Belegstelle: AE 1980, 00750 = IDR-03-05-02, 00479
stip(endiorum)] / XV vix(it) an(nos) / XXXV

Belegstelle: AE 1984, 00746
stip(endiorum) XXV / vixit ann(os) LX

Belegstelle: AE 1984, 00825
vixit annis L stipendi[or]um XXV

Belegstelle: AE 1986, 00595 = AE 1993, 01301 = RIU-06, 01433 = RHP 00387
stip(endiorum) II vix(it) an(nos) XX me(n)s(es) VI / et dies VII

Belegstelle: AE 1987, 00955 = RHP 00091
stipendiorum / VIII vixit annos / XXVIIII

Belegstelle: AE 1988, 01042
stip(endiorum) XVIIII / [vix(it) ann(os)] XXXV

Belegstelle: AE 1989, 00482 = AE 1991, 01114 = AE 2006, 00694
stip(endiorum) XII qui vixit / an(nos) XLV

Belegstelle: AE 1990, 00896 = AE 2003, +00671
militavit annis XXVII vixit annis XXXXI

Belegstelle: AE 1991, 01396
[vixit] ann(os) LX stipe(n)/[d(iorum?)] XXXIIX(?)

Belegstelle: AE 1993, 01574
stip(endiorum) XVI vixit an/nos XXXV

Belegstelle: AE 1993, 01581
stip(endiorum) XII qui vixit an/nis XXX men/sibus V

Belegstelle: AE 1993, 01582
stip(endiorum) XXI qui vixit ann(os) / XXXX

Belegstelle: AE 1993, 01589 = RHP 00114
stip(endiorum) XXIII / vixit annis XXXXVI

Belegstelle: AE 1994, 00795
vix(it) / a(nnos) L stipendior(um) / XIIX

Belegstelle: AE 1996, 01701
stip(endiorum) XV vixit / annis XXXIIII

Belegstelle: AE 1997, 01302
s(t)ip(endiorum) XVIII vixit an(n)os XXXVIII

Belegstelle: AE 1997, 01303
stip(endiorum) LII vix(it) ann(os) LXX

Belegstelle: AE 2000, 01738
sti/pendiorum tri/um vixit / annis XXIII

Belegstelle: AE 2002, 01252
sti(pendiorum) / XIX vix(it) an(nos) / XXX

Belegstelle: AE 2003, 01790
stip(endiorum) II vix(it) an(nos) XX

Belegstelle: AE 2004, 01143 = AE 2005, 01264 = AE 2006, +01100
stip(endiorum) XXIII qui / v[ix(it) an(nos) --] m(enses) VII d(ies) XI [sorry -- this one's useless]

Belegstelle: AE 2005, 01263
stip(endiorum) / IIII vixit ann(os) XX

Belegstelle: AE 2006, 00394
vix(it) annis XXVIII sti/pe(n)diorum VI

Belegstelle: BCTH-1909-CLXXX
stip(endiorum) XXVI / vixit annis L

Belegstelle: CECapitol 00014
[ s]tip(endiorum) XII v(ixit) a(nnos) XXX

Belegstelle: CIL 02, 04152 = RIT 00190
stip(endiorum) XXIIII / vixit ann(os) LVII

Belegstelle: CIL 02, 04167 (p LXXIX) = RIT 00197 = AE 2003, +00939
stip(endiorum) XXIIII / vixit annis XLI

Belegstelle: CIL 02, 06087 = RIT 00184
vixit ann(os) XXXIIII / m(enses) VI d(ies) XVIII stip(endiorum) XV

Belegstelle: CIL 02, 06088 = RIT 00204
stip(endiorum) X / vixit ann(is) XX / IIII mensib(us) IIII / dieb(us) XVIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 00196
stip(endiorum) XVIII vixit / ann(os) XXXVIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 00263 (p 975) = Bosch 00269 = IAnkara 00051
stip(endiorum) XXI / vixit annis XXXX

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 00264 = Bosch 00111
vixit ann(os) XLIIII / stipen(diorum) XXV

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 00266 = Bosch 00268 = IAnkara 00044
vixit annis LXX / stip(endiorum) XXXXV

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 00387 = IK-53, 00116
sti(pendiorum) X vixit annis p(lus) m(inus) / XXVIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 00557 (p 985) = InscrAtt 00011
stip(endiorum) VII / vixit ann(os) XXX

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 00806 (p 1375)
stip(endiorum) VII / vix(it) an(nos) XXVII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 00807
s(tipendiorum) XVI / vix(it) [an]n(os) XXXVI

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 00839 (p 1378) = D 02598
stip(endiorum) VIIII / vix(it) an(nos) XXVII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 01186 (p 1390) = IDR-03-05-02, 00487
stip(endiorum) V vix(it) / an(nos) [-- [sorry, this one's useless, too]

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 01197 = IDR-03-05-02, 00585
sti[p(endiorum)] / XXIII vix(it) ann(os) / XLIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 01199 = IDR-03-05-02, 00598
stip(endiorum) XI vi[xit] / [an]nos XXX

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 01202 = IDR-03-05-02, 00605
stip(endiorum) XXV vix(it) / [a(nnos) --] [likewise!]

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 01204 (p 1390) = IDR-03-05-02, 00613
s(tipendiorum) IX v(ixit) a(nnos) XXX

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 01206 = IDR-03-05-02, 00507
[stipe]ndior(um) [---] / [vix(it) a]nnis LXX [another useless one!]

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 01381 = IDR-03-03, 00169
s]tip(endiorum) XII vix(it) [ann(os) --] [and again]

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 01605
st(i)p(endiorum) III v(ixit) an(nos) XXX[--

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 02010 = CIL 03, 08576
stipendio/rum XXVI qui vixit an/nos L

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 02047
stip(endiorum) / XXV vixit ann(os) XXV

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 03336 = RIU-06, 01552a = IDRE-02, 00285 = AE 2001, 01669
stip(endiorum) XVI vixit ann(os) XXXIIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 03349 (p 1685) = RIU-06, 01504
stip(endiorum) XXVI vi[xit ann(os) --] [useless]

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 03350 = RIU-06, 01505
stip(endiorum) X vix(it) ann(os) XLIIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 03398
stip(endiorum) III vixit ann(os) XXII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 03534
sti(pendiorum) XVIII q(ui) vix(it) an(nos) XLV

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 03538 = CIL 03, 10385
vix(it) ann(os) XVIII stip(endiorum) / IIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 03543 (p 1691) = D 02391
stip(endiorum) XIII qui vixit ann(os) XXXII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 03557
vixit annis LX stip(endiorum) XL

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 03660 (p 1715) = D 02308 = RIU-03, 00759 = IDRE-02, 00274
vixit annis XX/IIII stip(endiorum) VI

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 04278 = RIU-03, 00694 = RHP 00113 = Schober 00192
stip(endiorum) III vixit an(nos) XXV

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 04315 = RIU-03, 00636
vix(it) ann(os) LIII stip(endiorum) XXXII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 04324 = RIU-02, 00581
stip(endiorum) XX / vixit an(nos) XL

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 04375 = RIU-01, 00275
stip(endiorum) / VI qui vix(it) annos / XXVIIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 04462 = MaCarnuntum 00002 = Schober 00306 = AEA 2007, +00002
vix(it) an(n)o(rum) / XXXIII st(ipendiorum) XV

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 05819 = IBR 00130
stip(endiorum) XIIII / vixit ann(os) XL

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 05950 = IBR 00394 = CSIR-D-01-01, 00418
st(ipendiorum) XXIII vixit ann(os) XL

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 05954 = IBR 00395
stip(endiorum) XVI vi/xit an(nos) XXXV

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 05974 = CIL 03, 11977 = IBR 00426
stip(endiorum) XXIIII vix(it) an(nos) VL

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 06297 = CIL 03, 08097
stip(endiorum) XXVI vix(it) annis / L

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 06300 = IMS-02, 00091
vix(it) an(nos) XXXX me(n)s(es) III / die(s) XVIII stip(endiorum) XXIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 06454 = CIL 03, 10349 = RIU-06, 01380 = Schober 00249 = AE 2004, +01133
stip(endiorum) VII vix(it) ann(os) XXVIII
stip(endiorum) X vix(it) ann(os) XXV

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 06592 = CIL 03, 14123 = D 02345 = IGLAlexa 00480 = AE 2005, +01609
stipendiorum XIII annos vixit / an(nos) XXXI

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 06743 = D 02535
stip(endiorum) / XXII vix(it) an[n(os)] / XLV

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 07148
stip(endiorum) X vixi/t annis XXX / V me(n)sib(us) quat/t(u)or di<e=A>bus X

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 07477 = IDRE-02, 00332
vi/xit ann(os) XLV st(i)p(endiorum) / XXVI

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 07547
st/ip(endiorum) IIII vixit an(nos) XX

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 07553 = IScM-02, 00346 = ILCV +03302
stipendia XXIIII et vi/xit annis XLII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 07801
[-- sti]/p(endiorum) XV vi[xit an(nos)] / XXX[--] / II[--] / V[--] [pretty unintelligible!]

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 07870 = IDR-03-03, 00172 = AE 2004, +01208
stip(endiorum) / XX v[ix(it) --]II [likewise]

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 08116 = IMS-01, 00088 = IMS-02, 00127 = ILJug-01, 00019 = AE 1890, 00007
stip(endiorum) XXV vix(it) a(nnos) L

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 09966 = CIL 03, 13360 = LegioXVApo 00120 = Schober 00232
stip(endiorum) LV / vixit annis LXXV

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 10250
sti(pendiorum) XVII vixit annis / [--]ndio [useless!]

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 10317 = RIU-05, 01185 = IDRE-02, 00287
[vixit] / ann(os) XL stip(endiorum) XX[II(?) --]

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 10506 = AE 1891, 00073
stip/endiorum X / vixit annis XXX

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 10518
stip(endiorum) IX vix(it) / annis XXX

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 11028 = RIU-03, 00741
st(ipendiorum) / IXX vi(xit) / annos XLVI

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 11031 = RIU-02, 00576 = AE 1944, 00116
vix(it) ann(os) LXXVIII stip(endiorum) LVIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 12057 = CIL 03, 14130 = IGLAlexa 00483 = D 02319 = AE 1892, 00047
stip(endiorum) XXII vixit annis XXXXV

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 12257 = AE 1890, 00111
vixit / annis XX[--]X militavit stipendia XIIII [29 years of age?]

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 12896 (p 2261) = ILJug-03, 02040b21
sti(pendiorum) XXVI vi(xit) an(n)os / XXXVIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 12899 = AE 1891, 00129
st[i]/pend(iorum) XVIII vixi[t] / a[nnos --] [useless]

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 13374
vix(it) / an(nos) XXXVI stip(endiorum) XVIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 13483a (p 2328,32) = CSIR-Ö-01-04, 00553 = Schober 00031 = RHP 00374 = D 09168 = MaCarnuntum 00288 = AEA 2003, +00002 = AE 1896, 00027
stip(endiorum) VII vixit an(nos) / XXVI

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 14358,17 = CSIR-Ö-01-04, 00550 = LegioXVApo 00026 = MaCarnuntum 00175 = Schober 00037 = AEA 2003, +00002
vix(it) ann(os) XXX / stip(endiorum) VIIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 14394 = IGLS-03-02, 01155 = AE 1897, 00097 = AE 1949, 00260
stipen/diorum XXXIIII vi/xit annis LIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 14579 = IMS-03-02, 00037 = ILJug-01, 00053 = ILJug-03, 01315 = AE 1901, 00018
vix(it) ann(os) LXI stip(endia) XXVIII

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 15159= Schober 00158
stip(endiorum) XVIII vixit / ann(os) XXXVIII m(enses) III

Belegstelle: CIL 05, 07717 = InscrIt-09-01, 00093 = D 02560 = AE 1998, +00516
vix(it) ann(os) XXV / sti(pendiorum) VI

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 02548 (p 3369, 3835) = D 02040
stipen[diis --] / vix(it) ann(os) XXII m(enses) [--] d(ies) XVII [useless, I'm afraid]

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 02571
s(t)ip(endiorum) XIIII vixit annis XXXIII / die(bu)s V

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 02578 (p 3369, 3835) = D 02143
stipendia militar(ia) XIX evocat(us) XII / vixit annis LX

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 02676
stip(endiorum) XVII / vixit annis / XXXVII

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 02694 (p 3370)
st(ipendiorum) XII vix(it) ann(os) XXXII

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 02724 (p 3370)
vix(it) / ann(os) XXVII stipendiorum IIII

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 02762 (p 3370)
stipend(iorum) XIIX / vix(it) ann(os) XL

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 02931 (p 3377, 3841) = D 02112
stipendio/rum IIII vix(it) / ann(is) XX m(ensibus) VI dieb(us) XX h(oris) III

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03186 (p 3384) = Denkm 00576
vix(it) an(nos) / XXVII stip(endiorum) VIIII

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03187 = Denkm 00631
[-- vixit a]n(nos) XXVIII stip(endiorum) [--] [blast! another useless one]

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03240 (p 3384) = Denkm 00642
vixit / ann(os) XX stip(endiorum) IV

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03241 (p 3384, 3843) = Denkm 00606
stip(endiorum) XII qui vixit ann(os) XXXII

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03247a = Denkm 00575
vixi(t) / an(nos) XXXV st(i)p(endiorum) XII

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03265 = Denkm 00569
vixit an(nos) XXXVI / st(i)p(endiorum) XIII

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03273 (p 3843) = CIL 11, *00078,02 = Denkm 00553
vixit / an(nos) XXX stip(endiorum) XV

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03274
vixi(t) / ann(os) XXXV st(i)p(endiorum) XII

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03279 = Denkm 00652
stip(endiorum) / XVIII vixit annos XXXVIII mens(es) V dies XXVIIII

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03283 = Denkm 00620
v(ixit) an(nos) XXX / stip(endiorum) XII

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03312 (p 3385) = Denkm 00660
stip(endiorum) XVII vix(it) ann(os) XXXVI

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03365 (p 3844) = Denkm 00755
stip(endiorum) XVII vixit ann(os) XXXVIII m(enses) IIII d(ies) III

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03407 (p 3392)
stipen(diroum) XX / vixit ann(os) XL

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 32668 (p 3835) = CIL 12, *00068,4a
stip(endiorum) XII vixit / annis XXXI

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 32692
st(ipendiorum) XII vix(it) an[nos --] [another useless one]

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 32694 = ICUR-09, 25435
stipen(diorum) XXI v(ixit) an(nos) XL

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 32837h = Denkm 00574 = AIIRoma-04, 00023
[v(ixit) a(nnos) --] / stip(endiorum) XVII [useless]

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 33023
[ sti]p(endiorum) IIII vixit [annos --]I me(n)s(es) IIII / [d(ies) --] [useless]

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 33042
stipendior(um) / [--] qui vixit annos / [-- m]enses II dies [--] [and again]

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 37212
st(ipendiorum) XII vix(it) a[nn(os) --] [yet again]

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 37213 = D 02044
stip(endiorum) XIIII (vi)xit an(nos) / XL m(enses) III d(ies) XV mil(i)t(avit) in l(egione) I Adiutrice stip(endiorum) IIII [additional 4 years = 18 total?]

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 37255 = AE 1907, 00121 = AE 1908, +00080 = Denkm 00554
vix(it) ann(os) XXVIII / stip(endiorum) X

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 02877 (p 1740) = D 02653 = AE 1914, +00124
vixit annis LXX / stip(endiorum) XXXXV

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 02930 (p 1740) = D 02396
st(ipendiorum) XXIII v(ixit) a(nnos) XLI

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 02971
stip(endiorum) XXVIIIII(!) vixit annis L

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 03062 (p 1740)
st(ipendiorum) XXII vix(it) an(nos) XL

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 03158
stipe/ndioru(m) XXII / vix(it) an(n)is XLII

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 03177
stip(endiorum) XXVII vix(it) / an(nos) XLVII

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 03217
stip(endiorum) XV / vix(it) an(nos) XL

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 03271 = CIL 08, 18174
stipen(diorum) XX / vix(it) an(nos) XLV

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 06311 (p 1840) = ILAlg-02-03, 09446
stipendi/orum II / v(ixit) a(nnos) XXI

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 07981 (p 1879) = ILAlg-02-01, 00066
stip(endiorum) XVIIII vixit an/nis XXXV

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 09057 = CIL 08, 20738
stip(endiorum) XVIIII vix(it) an(n)i(s) vivos(!) [useless, but interesting]

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 09389
vixit ann(os) / XXIII stipendiorum IIII

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 09655
v(ixit) a(nnos) XXXXV / stip(endiorum) XVI

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 09656
stip(endiorum) XIII / vixit ann(os) XXXX

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 09658 = CIL 08, 21508
stip(endiorum) XIIII / vixit an(nos) XXXV

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 09662
stip(endiorum) XXII / vixit annis / LV

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 09761 (p 2046)
stip(endiorum) XVI / vix(it) ann(os) / XXXVII

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 09762 (p 2046)
stip(endiorum) / XVIII vi(xit) an(nos) / XXXVI

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 09764 = AE 1998, +01596
st(ipendiorum) / XII vi[x(it)] a(nnos) XXXII

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 09798 (p 2054)
stipend(iorum) XIII / vixit annos / XXXII

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 15647 = ILTun 01561
stipendi/orum / n(umero) V / v(ixit) a(nnos) XXVI

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 16553 (p 2731) = ILAlg-01, 03101 = AE 1891, 00006
stipendior(um) XXVI / qui v(ixit) a(nnis) XLVI m(ensibus) II / dieb(us) XX

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 21049
stip(endiorum) XIX vix(it) / an(nos) XL

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 21053
s[ti]p(endiorum) XVII / vix(it) a[n(nos)] XXXX

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 21568 = D 09227 = AE 1896, 00089
vixit ann(os) LXX / stipen(diorum) XXVII
mil(i)/tavit XX vix(it) an(nos) / XXXXIIII

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 21779
stip(endiorum) II / [vixit anno]s XVI m(enses) XI

Belegstelle: CIL 08, 26331 = Uchi-02, 00213
stip(endiorum) XX vixit an(n)is XXV/IIX [??]

Belegstelle: CIL 09, 03892 = D 02825 = AE 2002, +00378
stip(endiorum) XII vix(it) / a(nnos) XXX

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 03397
stip(endiorum) XVI v(ixit) ann(os) XXXVIII m(enses) II d(ies) XV

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 03400a = CIL 10, 08210 = LIKelsey 00027
stip(endiorum) XXVIII / vix(it) ann(os) LIII me(n)s(es) II

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 03417 = CIL 11, *00250,2c
stip(endiorum) XXIX vix(it) ann(os) LIII

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 03494 = D 02895
stip(endiorum) IIII / v(ixit) ann(os) XX

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 03512 = LIKelsey 00049
stipen(diorum) VI v[ixit] / ann(os) XXVII[--]

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 03637
stip(endiorum) VII vixit an(nos) XXXV

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 03645
stip(endiorum) XV v(ixit) an(nos) XL

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 03651
stip(endiorum) XV vix(it) / ann(os) XXX

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 03657
stip(endiorum) XXVII vixit annis / XLVII

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 03896
stip(endiorum) IIII vixit ann(os) / XXV

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 05403 = D 02108
stip(endiorum) V qui / vix(it) ann(os) XVIIII d(ies) / XX

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 06670
stipendioru(m) / XV vixit annis / XXXV

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 06800 (p 991)
stip(endiorum) XXVI q(ui) v(ixit) a(nnos) XLIIII m(enses) X d(ies) XX

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 07537
stip(endiorum) XX q(ui) v(ixit) a(nnos) XL

Belegstelle: CIL 11, 00036
st(ipendiorum) XXI q(ui) v(ixit) / a(nnos) XXXVII

Belegstelle: CIL 11, 00063 = CIL 09, *00641,4
st(ipendiorum) / [X]VIII q(ui) v(ixit) a(nnos) XXXVIII / [m]ens(es) VI dies XI

Belegstelle: CIL 12, 02394
stip(endiorum) XIIII / vix(it) ann(os) XL

Belegstelle: CIL 13, 01846
stip(endiorum) VII qui vixit annis XXV di[e]/bus XIIII

Belegstelle: CIL 13, 03544 (4, p 42) = AE 1888, 00149
stipen(diorum) XXXV / [vix(it) a]nn(os) LXV

Belegstelle: CIL 13, 05979
vix(it) an(nos) XXV / stipendio(rum) IIII

Belegstelle: CIL 13, 06104 = D 02310
stip(endiorum) VII vixit / an(nos) XXV

Belegstelle: CIL 13, 06143
stipendiorum / XVIII qui vixit annis XXXIII / mensibus VIII

Belegstelle: CIL 13, 06849 = CSIR-D-02-05, 00018
vixit / annos XXXX stipendi/a XVIII

Belegstelle: CIL 13, 06892 = CSIR-D-02-05, 00084 = AE 2003, +01344
vixit an(n)os XL stip(endiorum) XV

Belegstelle: CIL 13, 06952 = CSIR-D-02-05, 00057
stip(endia) XLV / [vixit] an(nos) LXX

Belegstelle: CIL 13, 06962 = CIL 12, *00021,1
stipendiorum XVII qui vixit / annos XXXV m(enses) XI d(ies) XXV

Belegstelle: CIL 13, 07292 = CIL 13, 11941
vixit annis XXXIII / stip(endiorum) XIIII

Belegstelle: CIL 13, 08552
stip(endiorum) XXV / vixit an(nos) L[--] [almost useless]

Belegstelle: CIL 13, 11628
[vix(it)] a(n)no(s) XI stip(endiorum) / XVII

Belegstelle: CIL 14, 02287 = CIL 06, 03255 (p 3384, 3843) = CIL 10, *00947,3 = D 02211 = Denkm 00672
stipendio/rum sexs [=6] vixit annis / XXVI

Belegstelle: CIL 14, 03631 = InscrIt-04-01, 00164
vixit annis XXXV m(ensibus) VIII / die(bu)s VII stip(endiorum) X

Belegstelle: CSIR-Ö-01-04, 00420 = Hild 00245 = MaCarnuntum 00032 = AE 1973, 00423
stip(endia) / VI vixit an(nos) XXX

Belegstelle: Conrad 00331 = ILBulg 00354
stip(endiorum) XIII / vix(it) ann(is) XXX

Belegstelle: D 09187 = AE 1901, 00059a = AE 1905, 00007
stip(endiorum) / VI vixit an(nos) / XXVII

Belegstelle: Denkm 00584
[-- st]ipend(iorum) XVII [vix(it)] ann(os) XXXV

Belegstelle: Equites 00016 = Denkm 00103 = AE 1973, 00066
stipend[iorum] / [X]VIII vix(it) an(nos) XX[X?] [almost useless]

Belegstelle: HEp-03, 00369
stip(endiorum) XII qui vixit / an(nos) XLV

Belegstelle: HEp-04, 00173 = HEp-05, 00107 = AE 1983, 00487 = AE 1991, 00952 = AE 1992, 00955
stipe(n)dioron(!) / XX q(ui) vixit ann(i)s / XXXVII mensibus VII / diebus XXXXVIIII(!)

Belegstelle: Hild 00150 = LegioXVApo 00038 = MaCarnuntum 00165 = AEA 2003, +00002 = AE 1929, 00210
vixit an(nos) XXV / stip(endiorum) V

Belegstelle: Hild 00395 = RHP 00165 = Schober 00191 = D 09137 = AEA 2005, +00031 = AE 1906, 00111 = AE 1909, 00198
stip(endiorum) L / vixit an(nos) XXCV [!!]

Belegstelle: IAM-02-01, 00056 = IAM-S, 00056 = AE 1951, 00047 = AE 1998, +01596
[vix(it)] an/nis XXIIII / [mens]ibus VI die/[bus --] st(ipendiorum) I

Belegstelle: IDR-03-03, 00263 = AE 1972, 00486 = AE 1974, 00543
stip(endiorum) XXXII vix[i]t an(nos) LV

Belegstelle: IDRE-01, 00049 = AE 1993, 00333
[st]ipend(iorum) XVII [vixit] ann(os) XXXV

Belegstelle: IGLS-04, 01359
stip(endiorum) VIIII vix/it ann(os) XXXV

Belegstelle: IGLS-04, 01361 = RHP 00063 = GLISyrB 00131 = AE 1908, 00273
stip(endiorum) / VIII vixit annis XXV

Belegstelle: IK-20, 00055
stip(endiorum) VI vixit ann(os) / XXVI

Belegstelle: IK-22, 01239
vixit / annis XX[X?] stipendia XIIII

Belegstelle: IK-31, 00040
vixit annis L stipendi[oru]m XXV

Belegstelle: IK-55-01, 00053 = AE 2000, 01478
stipend[ia --] / vixit an(n)os XXXV [useless]

Belegstelle: IK-58-01, 00122 = AE 1976, 00642
stip(endiorum) XVIII vixit a/nnis(!) XL

Belegstelle: ILCV 00473 (add) = ISConcor 00032 = AE 1891, 00102
annis vixit XXVII stipe(ndiis) VIII

Belegstelle: ILJug-02, 00679
st(i)p(endiorum) X / [vixit] ann(os) X[XX?] [almost useless]

Belegstelle: ILJug-03, 01925
vix(it) / ann(os) XXXVIIIII stip(endiorum) / XXI

Belegstelle: ILJug-03, 02895 = D 09065 = AE 1905, 00165
stip(endiorum) II vixit an(nos) XXX

Belegstelle: IMS-02, 00087
stipend(iorum) XIIII / vixit ann(os) XXXII

Belegstelle: IMS-02, 00117 = AE 1913, 00039
stip(endiorum) XXV vi/xit ann(os) L

Belegstelle: IMS-03-02, 00030 = AE 1995, 01315
stip(endiorum) IIII / vix(it) an(nos) XXII

Belegstelle: IMS-06, 00057
stip(endiorum) XX[--] / vi[x]it an(nos) LX [pretty useless]

Belegstelle: InscrAqu-02, 02746
vixit ann(os) XLII stip(endiorum) XX[--] [likewise]

Belegstelle: LegioXVApo 00118
stip(endiorum) XVIIII / [vix(it) ann(os)] XXXV

Belegstelle: Lupa 02949
stip(endiorum) LXI qui vixit / an(nos) LXXXVI

Belegstelle: Lupa 02951
stip(endiorum) XXV vixit ann(os) XL

Belegstelle: Lupa 03032
stip(endiorum) / IIII vixit ann(os) XX

Belegstelle: Paestum 00184
sti(pendiorum) XIIII [q(ui) v(ixit) a]n(nos) XXXI

Belegstelle: RHP 00066 = AE 1993, 01595 = AE 2005, 01558
stip(endiorum) / XI vixit annis / XXXII

Belegstelle: RHP 00451 = CLEPann 00038 = AE 1947, 00031 = AE 1953, 00125 = AE 1977, 00634 = AE 2005, +00161
stip(endiorum) III / vix(it) ann(os) XX

Belegstelle: RIB-01, 00485
vix(it) an(nos) XXX / stip(endiorum) XIII

Belegstelle: RIB-01, 00492 = CSIR-GB-01-09, 00032
st(i)p(endiorum) XV vix(it) / an(nos) XXXIIII

Belegstelle: RIU-02, 00506
vix(it) an(nos) XXXIIII stip(endiorum) XVIII

Belegstelle: RIU-03, 00718 = IDRE-02, 00276 = AE 1909, 00144 = AE 1947, +00035
stip(endiorum) / V qui vixit ann(os) / XXV

Belegstelle: RIU-03, 00946 = AE 1947, 00134 = AE 1949, +00085
st(i)p(endiorum) XIIII vixit / an(n)os XXXVI

Belegstelle: RIU-05, 01183 = Schober 00251 = RHP 00183 = AE 1910, 00138
vix(it) / [an(nos) XX]IIII stip(endiorum) IIII

Belegstelle: RIU-05, 01192 = RHP 00351 = AE 1909, 00149
st(i)p(endiorum) II / q(ui) v(ixit) an(nos) XVI / m(enses) VII

Belegstelle: RIU-05, 01193 = Schober 00229 = RHP 00328 = AE 1912, 00007
stip(endiorum) XXIIII / vixit an(nos) XLV

Belegstelle: RIU-06, 01307 = AE 2002, +01175
stip(endiorum) / XXIIII vix(it) an(nos) XLV

Belegstelle: RIU-06, 01502 = AE 1941, 00010
stip(endiorum) VIIII vix(it) ann(os) XXX

Belegstelle: RIU-S, 00096 = AE 1997, 01267
stip(endiorum) XIII qui vixit an(nos) XXXI

[Nathan Ross]

M Caesius Verus is another - epitaph in ZPE 71, 188. He died at 41 after sixteen years in the Praetorians, seven as an evocatus and four as centurion in V Macedonia. He therefore served 27 years, and enlisted aged 14 - interesting that the Guard would have taken such a young recruit! (Info from Birley, Some Legionary Centurions 1989; he mentions a list of 'young' recruits in Appendix A of Forni Il reclutamento delle legioni da Augusto a Diocleziano, 1953, if anyone has access to that one...)

- Nathan

[D B Campbell]

M Caesius Verus is another - epitaph in ZPE 71, 188. He died at 41 after sixteen years in the Praetorians, seven as an evocatus and four as centurion in V Macedonia. He therefore served 27 years, and enlisted aged 14

Yup -- he's listed above:

Belegstelle: AE 1990, 00896 = AE 2003, +00671
militavit annis XXVII vixit annis XXXXI

[john m roberts]

It makes you wonder if they were enlisted as combat legionaries or as the legion's equivalent of "cabin boys," : on the payroll but relegated to menial duties as officers' orderlies, KPs, fetch-and-carriers, etc. until old enough to fight.

[Nathan Ross]

Regarding Duncan's list (which I couldn't resist having a go at!): quite a few 16 and 17 year-olds besides the usual 18-22s. The only under-16s I could find were these (and apologies if I'm not reading them correctly - numeral-blindness sets in fast - in fact I'm sure I missed at least one...):


Belegstelle: AE 1990, 00896 = AE 2003, +00671
militavit annis XXVII vixit annis XXXXI (This is Caesius Verus then, presumably!)

Belegstelle: AE 2002, 01252
sti(pendiorum) / XIX vix(it) an(nos) / XXX (Is this accurate? It appears he died at thirty, after 19 years service, making him, um, 11 at enlistment! hock: )

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 02047
stip(endiorum) / XXV vixit ann(os) XXV (this one's surely wrong - lived 25 years, served 25 years! 'Son of a gun', perhaps?)


Belegstelle: CIL 03, 06454 = CIL 03, 10349 = RIU-06, 01380 = Schober 00249 = AE 2004, +01133
stip(endiorum) VII vix(it) ann(os) XXVIII
stip(endiorum) X vix(it) ann(os) XXV (looks like served ten years, died at 25 - makes him 15 at enlistment?)

Belegstelle: CIL 06, 03273 (p 3843) = CIL 11, *00078,02 = Denkm 00553
vixit / an(nos) XXX stip(endiorum) XV (served fifteen, died at thirty = 15 again)

Belegstelle: CIL 10, 03651
stip(endiorum) XV vix(it) / ann(os) XXX (and the same here - 15)

Belegstelle: CIL 13, 11628
[vix(it)] a(n)no(s) XI stip(endiorum) / XVII (this is surely a mistake - unless age and service are reversed - which would still make him very young!)

Belegstelle: Lupa 02951
stip(endiorum) XXV vixit ann(os) XL (died at 40, served 25 years = 15 at enlistment again)

Belegstelle: RIU-05, 01192 = RHP 00351 = AE 1909, 00149
st(i)p(endiorum) II / q(ui) v(ixit) an(nos) XVI / m(enses) VII (This looks a bit tragic - died aged only sixteen and seven months, after two years service = enlisted at 14!)

- Nathan

[Nathan Ross]

Bit more spare time :wink: , so here's the expanded details of the few I found from the long list:

AE 1990, 00896
Pontus et Bithynia - Comana Pontica
M(arcus) Caesius / M(arci) f(ilius) Pol(lia) Verus / Pollentia |(centurio) / leg(ionis) V Mac(edonicae) mili/tavit in coh(orte) IX / praetoria ann(is) / XVI ordinatus tubi/cem item optio ad car/carem(!) factus est mili/tavit evocatus annis / VII centurio factus / est in leg(ione) V Mac(edonica) fuit or/dine in sexta hastatus / posterior stipendia ac/cepit caligata XVI evo/cativa VII centurioni/ca IIII militavit annis XXVII vixit annis XXXXI / M(arcus) Caesius Atimetus et / M(arcus) Caesius Limen liberti et / heredes eius ex testamento f(aciendum) c(uraverunt)
M Caesius Verus – 27 years service, died aged 41. Enlisted in the Praetorians aged 14.

AE 2002, 01252
Zayachya Baika / Olbia c. 231 – 270
D(is) M(anibus) / Antonio H/ermo mil(iti) / leg(ionis) I Ital(icae) sti(pendiorum) / XIX vix(it) an(nos) / XXX Iul(ius) Ru/fus mil(es) leg(ionis) / I Ital(icae) et Nome[nt]/anus b(ene) m(erenti) p(osuerunt)
Antonius Hermus, died aged thirty. Nineteen years service (??) in Legio I Italica. Enlisted aged 11 (!!)... Surely not!

CIL 03, 02047
Dalmatia - Salona
D(is) M(anibus) / C(aio) Sabinio / Niciati eq(uiti) / ex sing(ularibus) ho/mini verecu/ndissimo stip(endiorum) / XXV Fl(avia) Tertia / co(n)iugi incon/parabili cum / quo vixit ann(os) XXV / b(ene) m(erenti)
Caius Sabinius Niciat(es?), served 25 years in the equites singulares. His wife Flavia Tertia, aged 25 (or they were married for 25 years?), set up the memorial. I think this is right - so in fact Caius was not a 'young' recruit after all...

CIL 03, 06454
Pannonia inferior - Aquincum c. 201 – 250
Ursulus // D(is) M(anibus) / Ael(io) Sereno milit(i) coh(ortis) I Ulp(iae) / P(annoniorum) stip(endiorum) VII vix(it) ann(os) XXVIII et Ael(io) / Sereniano mil(iti) coh(ortis) II Alp(inorum) / stip(endiorum) X vix(it) ann(os) XXV et Aeliae / Concordiae vix(it) ann(os) XXII
Aelius Serenianus, of Coh II Alpinorum, served 10 years, died at 25. Enlisted at 15.

CIL 06, 03273
Rome c. 201 – 230
D(is) M(anibus) / Iustus Iblissa / eq(ues) s(ingularis) Imp(eratoris) n(ostri) n(atione) / Raetus vixit / an(nos) XXX stip(endiorum) XV / turm(a) Vindicis / Curante Iulio / Ursulo
Justus Iblissa(?), a Raetian soldier of the equites singulares, died at 30 after serving 15 years. Aged 15 at enlistment.

CIL 10, 03651
Latium et Campania - Misenum
D(is) M(anibus) / C(aio) Valerio Longi/no lib(urna) Aesculapio / stip(endiorum) XV n(atione) Cilix vix(it) / ann(os) XXX Valeri/us Apollinaris / heres lib(urna) Aescul(apio) / b(ene) m(erenti) f(ecit)
Caius Valerius Longinus, a Cilician, of the libernian ‘Aesculapius’ (a marine!), served 15 years and died at 30. Enlisted at 15.

CIL 13, 11628
Germania superior - Argentorate
T(itus) Albius Le/monia Bon(on)i/a [vix(it)] a(n)no(s) XI stip(endiorum) / XVII h(ic) s(itus) e(st)
Titus Albius, served 17 years, died aged 11… this is surely an error?

Lupa 02951
Pannonia inferior - Aquincum
D(is) M(anibus) / Iul(io) Tertio quondam / stratori consular(is) / stip(endiorum) XXV vixit ann(os) XL / et Iul(io) Mauro filio vixi(t) / ann(os) IIII et Furniae / vernacul(a)e Aurel(ia) / Felic(u)la marito / pientissimo viva / sibi et suis faciendum / curavit / o(pto) s(it) t(ibi) t(erra) l(evis)
Julius Tertius (a courier of the governor?), served 25 years and died at forty. Enlisted at 15.

AE 1909, 00149
Pannonia inferior - Intercisa
D(is) M(anibus) / Aur(elio) Maxim/iano mil(iti) / coh(ortis) |(milliariae) He/mes(enorum) st(i)p(endiorum) II / q(ui) v(ixit) an(nos) XVI / m(enses) VII et Aur(elio) / Prisco frat/ri ipsius q(ui) v(ixit) an(nos) / XI Aur(elius) Bassus / mil(es) coh(ortis) s(upra) s(criptae) / her(e)s ex tes(tamento) / eorum pos/uit
Aurelius Maximianus, of Coh Hemesenorum Millaria, served two years and died aged sixteen and seven months. Enlisted at 14…

If anyone can correct errors in my 'translation' (such as it is), please do...

- Nathan

[D B Campbell]

Belegstelle: CIL 03, 02047
stip(endiorum) / XXV vixit ann(os) XXV (this one's surely wrong - lived 25 years, served 25 years! 'Son of a gun', perhaps?)

Oops -- misread that one:
D(is) M(anibus) / C(aio) Sabinio / Niciati eq(uiti) / ex sing(ularibus) ho/mini verecu/ndissimo stip(endiorum) / XXV Fl(avia) Tertia / co(n)iugi incon/parabili cum / quo vixit ann(os) XXV / b(ene) m(erenti)
"To the spirits of the dead, and to Gaius Sabinius Niciatus, horseman of the singulares, a most modest man of 25 years service; Flavia Tertia (set this up) to her incomparable and well-deserving husband with whom she lived for 25 years."
So no mention of age.

[Nathan Ross]

Plus one more, not from the above list but mentioned elsewhere:

AE 1946, 00212
Apulia et Calabria - Taranto
L(ucius) Scultidius Sex(ti) f(ilius) / Pollia Rufus ve/teranus leg(ionis) / VIII Aug(ustae) eq(ues) / mil(itavit) annos / XXVI / vixit an(n)o/s VL h(ic) s(itus) e(st) / (h)e(res) f(aciendum) <c=Q>(uravit)
Lucius Scultidius Rufus. Died aged 40 after 26 years service as eques in Legio VIII Augusta. Enlisted at 14.

[markusaurelius]

considering that world war I enlistment had some soldier either enlist at these ages (by lying) or try to enlist in the army (at least here in Canada), it is not surprising that they also did in Roman times. Interesting though.

[D B Campbell]

Plus one more, not from the above list but mentioned elsewhere:

Yup -- I only searched for "stipendia" and "vixit"!

Died aged 40 after 26 years service ... Enlisted at 14.

Looks like he died at 45, so enlisted at 19.

[popularis]

Just as a small point, a suspiciously high number of the figures quoted above are either multiples of five or ten. I suspect that there's a fair amount of "age rounding" in these figures, especially those relating to their ages at death (on age rounding see, for example, Duncan Jones's "Age-Rounding in Greco-Roman Egypt", ZPE 33 (1979) 169-177, http://www.jstor.org/pss/20185619 ). It's interesting that time spent in service doesn't seem to be as susceptible to this as ages at death. This is understandable given that there would be precise records of the former, but not of the latter, which - to be frank - might have been a bit of guesswork on the part of those responsible for the inscription's text.

blue skies

Tom