Cohors IV Delmatarum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cohors IV Delmatarum
Roman infantry helmet (late 1st century)
Active	early 1st century to at least early 2nd century
Country	Roman Empire
Type	Roman auxiliary cohort
Role	infantry
Size	480 men
Garrison/HQ	Britannia 103-126

Cohors quarta Delmatarum ("4th Cohort of Dalmatae") was a special unit of the Roman army. It was made up of foot soldiers, called infantry. This unit was active from the early 1st century AD into the 2nd century. It was part of the Roman auxiliary forces, which means it was made up of soldiers from lands conquered by Rome, not from Italy itself.

Who Were the Dalmatae?

The name of this unit, "Dalmatae," comes from a group of people called the Dalmatae. They were a tribe who lived in the mountains along the Adriatic coast. This area is now known as Dalmatia.

The ancient writer Strabo said these mountains were very rough. He also described the Dalmatae people as tough and warlike. They didn't use money for a long time, even after their neighbors did. They also fought against the Romans for many years.

The Dalmatae were mostly shepherds. In fact, their name might even mean "shepherds." It comes from an old word, delme, which means "sheep."

The Illyrian Revolt

The Dalmatae fought their last big war against Rome in 6-9 AD. This was called the Illyrian revolt. It started when Dalmatae soldiers, who were helping the Romans, rebelled. The revolt quickly spread across Dalmatia and another area called Pannonia.

A Roman writer named Suetonius said this war was one of the hardest Rome had faced in a long time. It was as tough as the Punic Wars, which happened two centuries earlier. But after the revolt, the Dalmatae became loyal to Rome. They became an important source of new soldiers for the Roman army.

Where Did They Serve?

Historians believe that many "cohorts of Dalmatae" units were formed after the Illyrian revolt. About 12 such units were created. Most of these units were still active in the 2nd century.

The 4th Cohort of Dalmatae was probably created by the first Roman emperor, Augustus, after 9 AD. We know for sure it existed by the time of Emperor Claudius (who ruled from 41-54 AD).

Early Locations

We don't know exactly where this unit was first stationed. Some historians think it might have been part of the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 AD. It might also have helped stop the revolt led by Boudicca in 61 AD.

However, we have found old tombstones from the Rhine forts in Germania (modern-day Germany). These tombstones show that the unit was stationed there during the 1st century.

Service in Britain

The first clear record of the 4th Cohort of Dalmatae is from 103 AD, when it was in Britannia (modern-day Britain). It was still there between 126 and 130 AD. The last known record of the unit is a building inscription found at Hardknott in Cumbria, Britain. This inscription is not complete, but it likely refers to the 4th Cohort of Dalmatae.

After the early 2nd century, the unit seems to disappear from records. Some historians think it might have joined with another unit. But there isn't enough information to be sure.

Who Were the Leaders and Soldiers?

We know the names of three praefecti, who were the commanders of the regiment.

• One commander was Titus Iunius Severus, who came from Spain.
• Another commander's middle name was Pactumerius. He left a special stone in Numidia (modern-day Algeria).
• The third commander was Lucius Aprius Liburnus. His last name, Liburnus, tells us he was from the Liburni tribe. These people lived next to the Dalmatae.

We also know the names of three common soldiers, called caligati. Their names are on tombstones from the 1st century found in Germany. All three were from the Illyrian region: one was a Dalmata, one was a Liburnus, and one was named Daverzus.

See also

• List of Roman auxiliary regiments