Pseudo-Hyginus
Encyclopedia
De Munitionibus Castrorum (About the Fortifications of Military Camps) is a work by an unknown author. Due to this work formerly being attributed to Hyginus Gromaticus
, its author is conventionally called "Pseudo-Hyginus". This work is the most detailed description that survives about Roman military camps (lat. castra
) and dates most probably from the 3rd century AD.
He also mentions that he was a beginner author, and also used other authors' works relevant to the theme:
But the author still cannot be identified.
The exact date of creation of the work is also uncertain. According to Domaszewski, it is sure that the work was not written before the time of the Roman emperor Traian (it mentions Daci amongst the auxiliary forces), and was before the reforms of Diocletian
(the Roman legion
has its traditional structure). Domaszewski, based on similarities between Dio Cassius
and Pseudo-Hyginus, argues that De munitionibus castrorum was written in the early 3rd century AD.
Experts, however, still dispute the date, ranging from the earliest datation to the rule of Domitian
.
It is also disputed whether such a large camp was ever built by the Romans. Archeological finds clearly show that in the actual practice a military camp wasn't always so regularly organized, as suggested by the author.
But, as he describes even the smallest part of the camp (including how much space is required for a soldier or a horse), it may be adopted to the requirements of the practice. He also mentions some general rules which must be considered when constructing a camp, although most of them are obvious (like a water source must be in the vicinity etc.).
The text survived in the Codex Arcerianus.
Hyginus Gromaticus
Hyginus Gromaticus, was a Latin writer on land-surveying, who flourished in the reign of Trajan . Fragments of a work on legal boundaries attributed to him will be found in C. F. Lachmann, Gromatici Veteres, i...
, its author is conventionally called "Pseudo-Hyginus". This work is the most detailed description that survives about Roman military camps (lat. castra
Castra
The Latin word castra, with its singular castrum, was used by the ancient Romans to mean buildings or plots of land reserved to or constructed for use as a military defensive position. The word appears in both Oscan and Umbrian as well as in Latin. It may have descended from Indo-European to Italic...
) and dates most probably from the 3rd century AD.
The author and the time of creation of the work
Very little is known about the author of De munitionibus castrorum. According to the text, his work was intended to be a useful manual about how to properly construct a military camp, specially written for a high ranked officer:- "novitatem metationis ad tuam magnitudinem primus adferam, quae tibi spero placebit, si primum cottidianam metationem tractabis"
He also mentions that he was a beginner author, and also used other authors' works relevant to the theme:
- "In quantum potui, domine frater, pro tirocinio meo, in brevi omnes auctores sum persecutus, et quidquid circa compositionem castrorum aestalivium instituerunt, in hoc libello, priusquam numeros instruerem, sub ratione omnia declaravi"
But the author still cannot be identified.
The exact date of creation of the work is also uncertain. According to Domaszewski, it is sure that the work was not written before the time of the Roman emperor Traian (it mentions Daci amongst the auxiliary forces), and was before the reforms of Diocletian
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
(the Roman legion
Roman legion
A Roman legion normally indicates the basic ancient Roman army unit recruited specifically from Roman citizens. The organization of legions varied greatly over time but they were typically composed of perhaps 5,000 soldiers, divided into maniples and later into "cohorts"...
has its traditional structure). Domaszewski, based on similarities between Dio Cassius
Dio Cassius
Lucius Cassius Dio Cocceianus , known in English as Cassius Dio, Dio Cassius, or Dio was a Roman consul and a noted historian writing in Greek...
and Pseudo-Hyginus, argues that De munitionibus castrorum was written in the early 3rd century AD.
Experts, however, still dispute the date, ranging from the earliest datation to the rule of Domitian
Domitian
Domitian was Roman Emperor from 81 to 96. Domitian was the third and last emperor of the Flavian dynasty.Domitian's youth and early career were largely spent in the shadow of his brother Titus, who gained military renown during the First Jewish-Roman War...
.
It is also disputed whether such a large camp was ever built by the Romans. Archeological finds clearly show that in the actual practice a military camp wasn't always so regularly organized, as suggested by the author.
But, as he describes even the smallest part of the camp (including how much space is required for a soldier or a horse), it may be adopted to the requirements of the practice. He also mentions some general rules which must be considered when constructing a camp, although most of them are obvious (like a water source must be in the vicinity etc.).
The text survived in the Codex Arcerianus.
Editions
- Hygini Gromatici liber de munitionibus castrorum. Herausgegeben und erklärt von Alfred von Domaszewski. Hildesheim, 1887. (reprint: 1972, includes the full text with apparatus criticus, German translation and Domaszewski's own studies about the work).
- Corpus Agrimensorum Romanorum. (Codices Graeci et Latini photograpice depicti XXII) ed. A. W. Sijthof. Lungduni Batavorum, 1970. (includes facsimile of Codex Arcerianus, which contains De munitionibus castrorum).
- Cathrine M. Gilliver: The de munitionibus castrorum: Text and Translation. Journal of Roman Military Equipment Studies, Volume 4, 1993. 33-48. (the Latin text is identical to the one of Domaszewski, but without apparatus criticus; also includes a short introduction, ad a small bibliography of the most important literature)
- Alan Richardson - Theoretical Aspects of Roman Camp and Fort Design (BAR, 2004) ISBN 1-84171-390-2 (includes a translation of "De Munitionibus Castrorum" by Ian A. Richmond).