Lot Essay
PUBLISHED:
M. M. Roxan, Roman Military Diplomas 1985-1993, Institute of Archaeology, London, 1994, vol. 14, no. 184.
The above diploma is of considerable interest as it is for a Dacian cavalryman stationed in Britain, belonging to the VII Thracian cohort. It is of historical importance as it names Ulpius Marcellus as being the general commander in Britain in 178 A.D., the earliest known recorded date of his office in this Roman province.
After 25 years of service an auxiliary soldier on his discharge would receive Roman citizenship and the ius connubi, i.e. the right to contract a legal marriage, the children of which would also enjoy citizenship. This grant would be inscribed on bronze sheets, a diploma of honesta missio, such as this.
M. M. Roxan, Roman Military Diplomas 1985-1993, Institute of Archaeology, London, 1994, vol. 14, no. 184.
The above diploma is of considerable interest as it is for a Dacian cavalryman stationed in Britain, belonging to the VII Thracian cohort. It is of historical importance as it names Ulpius Marcellus as being the general commander in Britain in 178 A.D., the earliest known recorded date of his office in this Roman province.
After 25 years of service an auxiliary soldier on his discharge would receive Roman citizenship and the ius connubi, i.e. the right to contract a legal marriage, the children of which would also enjoy citizenship. This grant would be inscribed on bronze sheets, a diploma of honesta missio, such as this.