09-12-2017, 06:03 PM
A feature of this thread that needs to be addressed is Petertimber's apparent belief that Legio X Fretensis was based in Britain. He or (possibly more probably) whoever is his source may have been misled by RIB 814 (Maryport), an altar erected by M. Censorius Cornelianus, who was or had been a centurion in that legion. The inscription, as it appears on EDCS is:
Iovi Aug(usto) / M(arcus) Censorius / M(arci) fil(ius) Voltinia / [C]ornelianus |(centurio) leg(ionis) / [X Fr]etensis prae/[posi]tus(?) coh(ortis) I m(iliaria) / Hisp(anorum) ex provincia / Narbone[n(si)] domo / Nemauso [v(otum)] s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito)
There are problems with this inscription. First, his rank as commander of Coh I Hispanorum is uncertain; it could be praepositus or praefectus. Secondly, the symbol interpreted as standing for miliaria looks like 'u', which is unprecedented. Thirdly, I am a bit concerned about the centurial sign, which looks like a very small '7'. Nevertheless, on that point, I have to accept the interpretation of the epigraphists who seem happy with it.
Various explanations of Cornelianus's career have been put forward. Eric Birley suggested that he was a centurion in Leg X Fretensis who led a vexillation from that legion to Britain as part of Hadrian's expeditio Britannica and was subsequently appointed praepositus or temporary commander of Coh I Hispanorum. More recently, it has been proposed that he was praefectus of the cohort and was then appointed centurion in Leg X Fretensis, either travelling to Judaea with Iulius Severus and a vexillation of the cohort or, possibly more probably, was summoned to join the legion in Judaea sometime after Severus's departure from Britain.
Although the centurionate was of lower status than the prefecture, the pay was the same and a centurion had a permanent career, while a prefect had only a short-term posting with no guarantee of another one. Cornelianus may, therefore, have preferred the security of a career as a centurion. Alternatively (my idea), he may have wanted to see action and preferred the prospect of active service in Judaea to garrison duty in Britain. Either way, he may have petitioned Severus for the transfer and erected his altar as a thank-offering to Jupiter, when his request was granted.
These issues are discussed in David J. Breeze, 'The regiments stationed at Maryport and their commanders' in R. J. A. Wilson (ed.) Roman Maryport and its Setting: Essays in Memory of Michael G. Jarrett, Maryport (1997), pp. 73-75. A shorter summary of some of the theories appears here:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yH4M...in&f=false
Iovi Aug(usto) / M(arcus) Censorius / M(arci) fil(ius) Voltinia / [C]ornelianus |(centurio) leg(ionis) / [X Fr]etensis prae/[posi]tus(?) coh(ortis) I m(iliaria) / Hisp(anorum) ex provincia / Narbone[n(si)] domo / Nemauso [v(otum)] s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito)
There are problems with this inscription. First, his rank as commander of Coh I Hispanorum is uncertain; it could be praepositus or praefectus. Secondly, the symbol interpreted as standing for miliaria looks like 'u', which is unprecedented. Thirdly, I am a bit concerned about the centurial sign, which looks like a very small '7'. Nevertheless, on that point, I have to accept the interpretation of the epigraphists who seem happy with it.
Various explanations of Cornelianus's career have been put forward. Eric Birley suggested that he was a centurion in Leg X Fretensis who led a vexillation from that legion to Britain as part of Hadrian's expeditio Britannica and was subsequently appointed praepositus or temporary commander of Coh I Hispanorum. More recently, it has been proposed that he was praefectus of the cohort and was then appointed centurion in Leg X Fretensis, either travelling to Judaea with Iulius Severus and a vexillation of the cohort or, possibly more probably, was summoned to join the legion in Judaea sometime after Severus's departure from Britain.
Although the centurionate was of lower status than the prefecture, the pay was the same and a centurion had a permanent career, while a prefect had only a short-term posting with no guarantee of another one. Cornelianus may, therefore, have preferred the security of a career as a centurion. Alternatively (my idea), he may have wanted to see action and preferred the prospect of active service in Judaea to garrison duty in Britain. Either way, he may have petitioned Severus for the transfer and erected his altar as a thank-offering to Jupiter, when his request was granted.
These issues are discussed in David J. Breeze, 'The regiments stationed at Maryport and their commanders' in R. J. A. Wilson (ed.) Roman Maryport and its Setting: Essays in Memory of Michael G. Jarrett, Maryport (1997), pp. 73-75. A shorter summary of some of the theories appears here:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yH4M...in&f=false
Michael King Macdona
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
