De Munitionibus Castrorum

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 (Latin: castra) and dates most probably from the late 1st to early 2nd century AD.[1]

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"[2]

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"[3]

The exact date of creation of the work is also uncertain. According to Domaszewski, it is certain that the work was not written before the time of the Roman emperor Trajan (it mentions Daci amongst the auxiliary forces), and was before the reforms of Diocletian (the Roman legion has its traditional structure). Domaszewski suggested that the image of the camp best fits the early second century AD, prior to the reforms of Hadrian.

Experts, however, still dispute the date, ranging from the earliest dating 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 actual practice a military camp was not 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

Notes

  1. ↑ A Camp in search of a Campaign: The reality of Hyginus' Roman army. D B Campbell, https://www.academia.edu/865462/A_Camp_in_search_of_a_Campaign_The_reality_of_Hyginus_Roman_army
  2. ↑ cap.47
  3. ↑ cap. 45

External links

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