Cohors I Alpinorum equitata
Encyclopedia
Cohors prima Alpinorum equitata ("1st part-mounted Cohort of Alpini") was a Roman auxiliary mixed infantry and cavalry regiment. Alpini was a generic name denoting several Celtic-speaking mountain tribes inhabiting the Alps
between Italy and Gaul
, which were organised as the Tres Alpes
provinces. The regiment was probably raised as one of 4-6 Alpini units recruited after the final annexation of the western Alpine regions by emperor Augustus
in 15 BC.
It was originally stationed in Illyricum
, where it is recorded in 60 AD. Not later than 80, it was based in Pannonia
, later Pannonia Inferior after Pannonia was divided in two in c107. It was still in that province in c215, according to its last datable inscription. There were three brief interruptions to the regiment's sojourn in Pannonia. It is recorded first in Aquitania
in 60-70 (Excisum, Villeneuve-sur-Lot
) from recent finds of military equipments ( confirming tombstones inscriptions ; secondly in Britannia
in 103, but cannot have stayed longer than 85-110, and probably less ; third, it is recorded in Dacia Superior in 144, but cannot have remained longer than 5 years. The regiment's inscriptions have been found in the following Roman forts (in likely order of occupation): Carnuntum
; Szazholombatta; Excisum; Apulum
(Dacia); Mursa (c215); Dunakömlod.
The names of 7 praefecti (regimental commanders) have been preserved, but none of their origins are certain. One erected a votive altar at Thuburbo Maius (Tunisia), while another at Caesarea, so these may be their respective home towns. Senior officers attested are 4 centurion
es (infantry officers) and 1 decurio
(cavalry officers). One junior officer (optio) is known. An eques (common cavalryman) with the title "buc." is attested: this probably stands for bucinator (bugler). Caligati (common soldiers) attested are 3 foot soldiers and one eques. Only the latter of all the personnel has a certain origin: he is denoted a member of the Eravisci
, a Pannonian tribe. Alpinorum auxiliary cohorts
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
between Italy and Gaul
Gaul
Gaul was a region of Western Europe during the Iron Age and Roman era, encompassing present day France, Luxembourg and Belgium, most of Switzerland, the western part of Northern Italy, as well as the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the left bank of the Rhine. The Gauls were the speakers of...
, which were organised as the Tres Alpes
Tres Alpes
Tres Alpes , was the collective term used by the Romans to denote three small provinces of the Roman empire situated in the western Alps mountain range, namely Alpes Graiae ; Alpes Cottiae and Alpes Maritimae. The region was annexed by the Romans in 16 - 14 BC and the three provinces organised by...
provinces. The regiment was probably raised as one of 4-6 Alpini units recruited after the final annexation of the western Alpine regions by emperor Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
in 15 BC.
It was originally stationed in Illyricum
Illyricum (Roman province)
The Roman province of Illyricum or Illyris Romana or Illyris Barbara or Illyria Barbara replaced most of the region of Illyria. It stretched from the Drilon river in modern north Albania to Istria in the west and to the Sava river in the north. Salona functioned as its capital...
, where it is recorded in 60 AD. Not later than 80, it was based in Pannonia
Pannonia
Pannonia was an ancient province of the Roman Empire bounded north and east by the Danube, coterminous westward with Noricum and upper Italy, and southward with Dalmatia and upper Moesia....
, later Pannonia Inferior after Pannonia was divided in two in c107. It was still in that province in c215, according to its last datable inscription. There were three brief interruptions to the regiment's sojourn in Pannonia. It is recorded first in Aquitania
Aquitania
Aquitania may refer to:* the territory of the Aquitani, a people living in Roman times in what is now Aquitaine, France* Aquitaine, a region of France roughly between the Pyrenees, the Atlantic ocean and the Garonne, also a former kingdom and duchy...
in 60-70 (Excisum, Villeneuve-sur-Lot
Villeneuve-sur-Lot
Villeneuve-sur-Lot is a town and commune in the Lot-et-Garonne department in south-western France. The commune was formerly named Villeneuve-d'Agen....
) from recent finds of military equipments ( confirming tombstones inscriptions ; secondly in Britannia
Britannia
Britannia is an ancient term for Great Britain, and also a female personification of the island. The name is Latin, and derives from the Greek form Prettanike or Brettaniai, which originally designated a collection of islands with individual names, including Albion or Great Britain. However, by the...
in 103, but cannot have stayed longer than 85-110, and probably less ; third, it is recorded in Dacia Superior in 144, but cannot have remained longer than 5 years. The regiment's inscriptions have been found in the following Roman forts (in likely order of occupation): Carnuntum
Carnuntum
Carnuntum was a Roman army camp on the Danube in the Noricum province and after the 1st century the capital of the Upper Pannonia province...
; Szazholombatta; Excisum; Apulum
Apulum
Apulum may refer to:*The Latin name of Alba Iulia.*Apulum , the Roman fort of Alba Iulia.*Apulum , a Romanian porcelain manufacturing company....
(Dacia); Mursa (c215); Dunakömlod.
The names of 7 praefecti (regimental commanders) have been preserved, but none of their origins are certain. One erected a votive altar at Thuburbo Maius (Tunisia), while another at Caesarea, so these may be their respective home towns. Senior officers attested are 4 centurion
Centurion
A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army .Centurion may also refer to:-Military:* Centurion tank, British battle tank* HMS Centurion, name of several ships and a shore base of the British Royal Navy...
es (infantry officers) and 1 decurio
Decurio
Decurio was an official title in Ancient Rome, used in various connections:# A member of the senatorial order in the Italian towns under the administration of Rome, and later in provincial towns organized on the Italian model . The number of decuriones varied in different towns, but was usually 100...
(cavalry officers). One junior officer (optio) is known. An eques (common cavalryman) with the title "buc." is attested: this probably stands for bucinator (bugler). Caligati (common soldiers) attested are 3 foot soldiers and one eques. Only the latter of all the personnel has a certain origin: he is denoted a member of the Eravisci
Eravisci
The Eravisci, a Celtic people, were the original inhabitants of Dunaújváros. The centre of the tribe may be assumed to have been on Gellért Hill in the Budapest of today....
, a Pannonian tribe. Alpinorum auxiliary cohorts
Alpinorum auxiliary cohorts
This article concerns the Roman auxiliary regiments of the Principate period originally recruited in the western Alpine regions of the empire . The cohortes Alpinorum came from Tres Alpes, the three small Roman provinces of the western Alps, Alpes Maritimae, Alpes Cottiae and Alpes Graiae...