engleski

Roman Legionaries at Burnum

The archaeological site of Burnum is the focus of scientific researches held since 2003 on the area of the ancient agglomeration by the members of the Chair of Ancient Archaeology of the Department of Archaeology of the University of Zadar, also accompanied by partners. As a part of the complex studies, an epigraphic and onomastic analysis of the know inscriptions has been made and as a theme for this scientific paper has been chosen the recapitulation of the previous insights about soldiers of legions stationed in Burnum and its territory during the early Principate. Geostrategical site of Burnum, located on the territory of the loyal Liburnian Burnistae and on the border toward the traditionally hostile Delmatae, is the reason why researchers believe that Burnum was a place where, at least occasionally, were stationed the units of the Illyricum’s garrison (XXth legion) who fought in the great Batonian uprising (bellum Batonianum).The epitaph of the centurion of the XXth legion (CIL III, 2836), who died during his service, supports this claim. After the end of the bloody war, Burnum becomes a legionary fortress (castra) which hosted the XIth legion and other auxiliary troops. Members of the XIth legion are well documented on a dozens of funerary inscriptions made in the local workshops. A standardized pattern of the epitaph structure always contains the names of the deceased, followed by filiation and mention of the affiliated tribus, place of birth (domo), military rank in the XIth legion (e.g. miles legionis XI), number of years achieved (annorum tot) and years of service (stipendiorum tot). Ordinary soldiers sometimes also state their membership in certain centuria. With the following we can relate to ethnical and social structure of the commemorated soldiers of XIth legion, as well as the province and place where the levy came from, the average age in the time of conscription and the average age of the deceased. It is also possible to date these inscriptions more closely, because in 42 AD, Claudius gave honorary title Claudia pia fidelis to the legion after the unsuccessful mutiny of the provincial governor L. Arruntius Furius Camillus Scribonianus. In 68/69 AD, in amidst of the Civil war after the death of Nero, the XIth legion leaves Burnum and was substituted by the IVth legion (legio IV Flavia Felix), whose members are attested on only few inscriptions. Even so, its presence is viewed through bricks and tiles with stamps LEG(ionis) IIII F(laviae) F(elicis), which in archaeological sense enable the date of certain building activities on northwestern periphery of the camp, especially during the reconstruction of the amphitheater (confirmed by the inscription of Vespasian from 76/77 AD) and other military objects (campus), as can be seen from the recent archeological excavations. After the departure of the IVth legion in 86 AD, Dalmatia became provincia inermis, while Burnum stopped being a military camp and became a civil settlement, which gains municipal status at the latest by Hadrian. Security issues have been overcome by beneficiarii consularis of the Ist (Legio I Adiutrix) and of the Vth legion (Legio V Macedonica), whose dedications to Jupiter have also been documented. Furthermore, an epitaph of the miles from VIIIth legion (Legio VIII Augusta) (ILJug 2818), who died during active service and tiles with stamps LEG(ionis) VIII AVG(ustae) shows that in one period, probably during the late 1st or in the beginning of the 2nd century, Burnum also housed a vexillation of the VIIIth legion Augusta.

Roman Legionaries ; Burnum

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