Dating Diplomas - An Index!

[Spedius]

Ave,

Over the past few weeks I've tried, in my own simple way, to demonstrate the various methods used to date diplomas.

I began with "AE 1998, 00419!" in which I took an innocuous inscription and by a series of expansions converted it into a list of consuls for Titus.

Please see:- http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=6732

Next I wrote about "Imperial Dates!" which was an article about the emperor Titus and his titles.

Please see:- http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=6767

I continued with "Ante Diem!" and explained, with the aid of a chart, how counting backwards using our fingers worked.

Please see:- http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=6771

A further topic in the series was "Diplomas, Governors and Titus!". In this topic, if you knew the name of the governor, you could date the diploma.

Please see:- http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=6803

The final topic was "Diplomas and Witnesses!".

Please see:- http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=6806

An additional topic may be added to our list, "Mauretania Tingitana Garrison!", if you can decode the name of a unit you can use this as another aid to dating.

Please see:- http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=6864

One final method of dating is the actual wording of the diploma. The words used, the order in which they appear and the meaning behind them. Diplomas were legal documents drawn up by lawyers and, as such, had to be very specific on their subject matter.

This is a complex subject far too difficult for me to explain simply. Suffice to say if you would like to know more please go to your local library and ask for:-

"Britain and the Roman Empire" by J.C. Mann 1996 Variorum ISBN 0-86078-580-7.

This excellent book is a collection of articles written by John Mann, the item of interest to us is "The Development of Auxiliary and Fleet Diplomas" first published in "Epigraphische Studien 9, pp. 233-41. Bonn: Rheinland Verlag, 1972.

He has expanded on a theme first discussed by Geza Alfoldy in which he has divided the diplomas into three types:

Type I, issued to serving soldiers
Type II, issued to serving soldiers and veterans
Type III, issued to veterans

These three types became to be known as Alfoldy-Mann Types.

You see I said it was complicated!!

A general overview to decoding inscriptions can be found at the following website:-

http://www.angelfire.com/art/archictect ... graphy.htm

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo