Folia archeologica 10.
L. Barkóczi - A. Kerényi: Bronze medaillons of Thracian issue from Brigetio
84 .L. Bar kileli— Л. Kerényi One vexillatio of the legio took part in the campaign against Pescennius Niger in the surroundings of Byzantion on the side of Septimius Severus. In all probability we have to connect the gravestone of Aurelius Marcellus, a soldier of the legio I adiutrix, found at Perinthus, with these wars. 3 1 We must note that erecting a tombstone involves a longer stay. Further we know gravestone from Ankyra, 3 2 mentioning the centurio Flavius Audax from the legio I adiutrix. This vexillatio took part in the first or the second Parthian war of Septimius Severus. A division of the legio I adiutrix also took part in the Parthian wars of Caracalla in 214. Coming from the Danubian provinces the Emperor himself spent a longer time in Thracia. In the same way we find soldiers of Brigetio in the Persian wars of Severus Alexander or Gordianus. The data mentioned above tend to illustrate the continuous connection between Pannónia and Thracia in the first half of the third century, created by the movements of troops. The Danubian divisions marching to the Eastern campaigns were certainly bound to tread the soil of Thracia, as the route touching Naissus, Serdica, Philippopolis, Perinthus, and Byzantion, continuing towards the farther Eastern provinces crossed this area as well. Already A. Stein has pointed out that Perinthus has been the gathering place for all the troops marching eastwards from the Danubian provinces. 33 We know many gravestones from Perinthus and her surroundings which have kept the memory of soldiers belonging to different divisions. Various military units are mentioned in these inscriptions, among them the legio I adiutrix as well. 3 4 This fact tends to show that Perinthus was really a gathering place where the several units spent a longer or shorter time. In connection with these facts it deserves mentioning that we find soldiers of Southern Thracian origin in active service in the surroundings of Brigetio, and Aquincum at the same time when these bronze medallions are turning up in increased numbers in Pannónia or more precisely at Brigetio, i. e. in the first half of the third century. 3 5 So Aurelius Aulupor, 3 6 Aurelius Bitus, 3 7 3 1 CIL III 7396. D. M. I Aur. Marcellus, mil. leg. I. | adiutri. coh. VI. st. V. ann. | XXX. militavit, ann.VI. Ael. | Iustinus. et. Aur. Taurus et | Sep. Sabinianus heredes pos | uerunt benemerenti m. ex. 3* CIL III 265. 3 3 Síéin, A. t Römische Reichsbeamte der Provinz Thracia. (Sarajevo 1920.) 3 4 See note no. 31. 3 5 The Thracian soldiers serving in Pannonian military troops were collected by Alföldi A., Zu den Schicksalen Siebenbürgens im Altertum. Ostmitteleuropäische Bibliothek. (Bp. 1944) pp. 39—44. The soldiers serving in Pannónia were similarly dealt with in detail by Kraft , K., Rekrutierung der Alen und Kohorten am Rhein und Donau. (Bern 1951) Dissertationes Bernenses. Ser. I. Fase. 3. pp. 53—54. Kraft links the presence of the Thracians with an official recruiting, being of the opinion that in the first half of the third century also Thracians were recruited for the Pannonian auxiliaria. But at the same time we find Thracians in the legio II adiutri as well. The appearance of Southern Thracian elements in Pannónia is not so numerous as to suggest an official recruiting. It is remarkable that in this time they appear in the area of Aquincum and Brigetio, in the territories of those two legions, the vexillationes of which were in constant touch with Thracia during the third century. If an official recruiting should have really taken place, we ought to know much more Thracians from Pannónia and their appearence would be more extended. 3 6 CIL III 10504. Alföldi A., op. cit. p. 39, no. 3. 3' CIL III 15159. Alföldi A., op. cit. p. 40, no. 7.
