Login

mcbishop · 02-24-2005, 06:38 PM

It's not often that a new legionary base staggers along, but there may indeed be one lurking in Oxfordshire. The latest issue of Current Archaeology (no.196) has an article by Eberhard Sauer on his work at Alchester, including details of the legionary fortress they are claiming next to the other military base (which appears to have evolved into an annexe) and the tombstone of one L. Valerius Geminus, veteran of II Augusta who, it is argued, must have come over with the invasion force (possibly a chum of Cato's, Simon? ;-). 
 
A summary (with a piccy of the tombstone) is here, along with a link to the whole article as a PDF (you lucky people) here: 
 
www.archaeology.co.uk/ca/.../ca196.htm 
 
and is discussed in The Times here: 
 
www.timesonline.co.uk/art...66,00.html 
 
What more could you ask? 
 
Mike Bishop

Quintius Clavus · 02-25-2005, 01:26 AM

I have one question regarding dating of military tombstones by the wording on them. Looking at the photo, it looks like the lead off phrase is "DIS MANIBUS". 
I'm no expert, but would the use of the phrase have any impact on the dating of the tombstone? I am not challenging the position that Vespasian's base might have been there, but could the tombstone belong to a veteran from a later time (later in the first century or early in the second) who simply retired to that locale? 
I would welcome thoughts and opinions on this. 
 
Marcus Quintius Clavus/Quinton

***Praefectusclassis*** · 02-25-2005, 08:40 AM

Dis Manibus is full is usually an indication of the (early) Flavian period and gets shortened to DM in the 2nd century. Assuming that the fourth line says Veteranus Legionis II Augustae, the fifth line starts with annorum (instead of the later vixit annis), which points to the same general period. I'd say it's from between 65 and 90 AD. It's very hard to date by these indications though and you really need more local material for comparison. 
It would still fit with Alchester being an early HQ for II Augusta. The guy is a veteran of the legion, so if he served during/just after the invasion, he might have been discharged and settled locally, dying later on when the legion may have moved away. Greets 
 
Jasper

Quintius Clavus · 02-26-2005, 01:38 AM

Thank you, Jasper, for the reply, and I've learned a little more about the Roman army. 
Years ago (early 1970's) I took a Roman History course in college. I was the only one in class (other than the professor) who knew that military tombstones were an important source of information in studying the Roman army. 
I think it is wonderful that more sites are being found all the time. This one, being a legionary site from the early years of the invasion, is especially exciting. 
 
Thanks again. 
 
Marcus Quintius Clavus/Quinton

***Praefectusclassis*** · 02-26-2005, 07:41 AM

Yes, tombstones are cool and they turn up relatively often. A new one - with a soldier depicted on it - was very recently found in Cologne. Greets 
 
Jasper

Vincula · 02-26-2005, 04:15 PM

Is it in the imagebase, jasper?

***Praefectusclassis*** · 02-26-2005, 04:29 PM

Not yet. Will be! Greets 
 
Jasper

02-27-2005, 07:29 PM

what type of soldier? Jasper 
 
 
 
 
<img src="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mark.martin/forum/mark.gif
" width="100" height="100" align="right">

***Praefectusclassis*** · 02-27-2005, 07:50 PM

Infantryman. It's going on display in March in Cologne. Greets 
 
Jasper

03-05-2005, 02:12 PM

cheers Jasper 
 
might have to drop by Koln in august when I hope to visit Germany for a couple of days <img src="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mark.martin/forum/mark.gif
" width="100" height="100" align="right">

Login
Username:
Password:	Lost Password?
	Remember me