A ten years old levied legionary soldier?

[szaboa_22]

An interesting inscription came to my attention yesterday:


AE 1995, 01724
Theveste, Africa proconsularis

D(is) M(anibus) s(acrum) | P(ublius) Munatius Gallus miles | leg(ionis) III Aug(ustae) prob(atus) | an(nos) XVI et mens(es) III |[sup]5[/sup] militavit an(nos) X | vix(it) an(nos) XXVI m(enses) IIII | Munatius Victor pater fil(io) piissimo | fecit.

According to the inscription, Gallus must have proved himself suitable as a legionary soldier at the age of 10...what's the deal? Is this just a mistake of the lapicide or something else?

[D B Campbell]

The inscription reads:
Sacred to the Spirits of the Departed. Publius Munatius Gallus, soldier of the Third Augusta Legion, accepted at the age of 16 years and 3 months, served for 10 years, lived for 26 years and four months. His father, Munatius Victor, set this up for his most dutiful son.