Oxford Centre for High Energy Density Science (OxCHEDS)

Abstract:

The Author takes into consideration the imperial comites epigraphically attested, and who participated in the military campaigns of L. Verus, L. Verus and M. Aurelius, M. Aurelius alone, and M. Aurelius with Commodus (161-180), comparing their careers. These comites Augusti were selected from among the senators deemed most suitable for fulfilling this highly significant role. The key requirements seem to have been a close connection to the imperial household, but also military abilities, since they had to fight alongside the emperor. Some of them had already fought along the Roman frontiers and belonged to that small circle of viri militares.

Abstract:

Inspired by the 2022 edition of an epitaph dedicated to a soldier of the fourth cohors Cypria died in Sinope, the author offers an update on the epigraphic evidence concerning auxiliary cohortes and alae from the province of Pontus and Bithynia. Since it was an unarmed province, the presence of these soldiers, as well as of legionaries, must be considered only temporary and connected to the passage of Roman troops towards the eastern border of the Empire. It is worth considering, in this regard, that most of the inscriptions date to the 2nd or 3rd century. Only those relating to the soldiers of the cohors Cypria seem to be earlier, but they could be connected with the expedition against Mithridates king of the Bosphorus in the time of Claudius or with the momentary annexation of the Bos-phoran kingdom under Nero.