Cohors II Gallorum Dacica equitata explained

Unit Name:Cohors II Gallorum Dacica equitata
Dates:Not later than AD 14 to at least 179
Country:Roman Empire
Type:Roman auxiliary cohort
Role:infantry/cavalry
Size:600 men (480 infantry, 120 cavalry)
Garrison:Dacia 109-79

Cohors secunda Gallorum Dacica equitata ("2nd part-mounted Cohort of Gauls in Dacia") was a Roman auxiliary regiment which contained both infantry and cavalry contingents.

It was probably originally raised in Gallia Lugdunensis (northern France) during the rule of the founder-emperor, Augustus (r. 30 BC – AD 14).[1] The regiment is first attested in Dacia (Romania) in 109, shortly after the end of the Dacian Wars (101-106) and thus probably participated in those wars. Its last datable attestation is from 179, still in Dacia Superior. Its later fate is unknown.[2]

The regiment was previously known as II Gallorum Pannonica to distinguish it from another II Gallorum, which became known as cohors II Gallorum Macedonica, a purely infantry regiment. The title Dacica first appears in the record in 156.[2]

The full name of just one praefectus (regimental commander) survives: Publius Licinius Maximus, from an undatable inscription on a dedicatory stone at Alhambra in Spain, which may have been his home region. Also attested (144) is a Thracian eques (ranker cavalryman), whose name is only partially preserved.

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References

Notes and References

  1. Holder (1980) 111
  2. Spaul (2000) 159