06-02-2005, 05:53 PM
(I figured maybe the title drove people off)
In Pliny's letters X 21 and 22 a body of soldiers (10 beneficiarii, two equites and one centurion 'ex cohortibus, quibus me praeesse voluisti' - auxiliaries under the command of the Proconsul) are mentioned seconded to the staff of the Prefect of the Pontic coast, Gavius Bassus. The edition footnote identifies this office as a minor naval command.
My question is: why? What is wrong with navy troops? I understand staffing lucrative and prestigious officia with legionaries even in legion-less provinces, but why send auxiliaries to do a job the navy could do itself? Or couldn't it? Or is the praefectus orae Ponticae simply a misidentified civvy?
All pointers welcome. I'm trying to untangle officia, and it isn't easy.
In Pliny's letters X 21 and 22 a body of soldiers (10 beneficiarii, two equites and one centurion 'ex cohortibus, quibus me praeesse voluisti' - auxiliaries under the command of the Proconsul) are mentioned seconded to the staff of the Prefect of the Pontic coast, Gavius Bassus. The edition footnote identifies this office as a minor naval command.
My question is: why? What is wrong with navy troops? I understand staffing lucrative and prestigious officia with legionaries even in legion-less provinces, but why send auxiliaries to do a job the navy could do itself? Or couldn't it? Or is the praefectus orae Ponticae simply a misidentified civvy?
All pointers welcome. I'm trying to untangle officia, and it isn't easy.
Der Kessel ist voll Bärks!
Volker Bach
Volker Bach
