History
The Dux Britanniarum was commander of the troops of the Northern Region, primarily along Hadrian's Wall. The position carried the rank of viri spectabiles, but was below that of the Comes Britanniarum. His responsibilities would have included protection of the frontier, maintenance of fortifications, and recruitment. Provisioning the troops would have played a significant part in the economy of the area. The Dux would have had considerable influence within his geographical jurisdiction, and exercised significant autonomy due in part to the distance from headquarters of his superiors. [1]
The Notitia Dignitatum lists the garrison along Hadrian's Wall (along with several sites on the coast of Cumbria) under the command of the Dux Britanniarum. Archaeological evidence shows that other units must have been stationed here, which are not, however, mentioned in the Notita. Most of them were established during the 3rd Century.
Castles and units
His troops were limitanei or frontier guards and not the comitatenses or field army commanded by the Comes Britanniarum. Fourteen units in north Britain are listed in the Notitia as being under his command, stationed in either modern Yorkshire, Cumbria or Northumberland. Archaeological evidence indicates there were other posts occupied at the time which are not listed. His forces included three cavalry vexillationes with the rest being infantry. They were newly raised units rather than being third century creations. In addition to these fort garrisons, the dux commanded the troops at Hadrian's Wall: the Notitia lists their stations from east to west, as well as additional forts on the Cumbrian coast. These troops appear to have been third century regiments, although the reliability of the Notitia makes it difficult to infer any solid information from it.
From Chapter XL:
- sub dispositione viri spectabilis Ducis Britanniarum (literally "made available to the most honorable military commander of the British provinces")
...in addition to the administrative staff (Officium) lists 14 prefects and their units with their deployment locations under the command of this Dux:
- Praefectus Legionis sextae
- Praefectus Numeri directorum, Verteris
- Praefectus Numeri exploratorum, Lavatrae
- Praefectus Equitum Dalmatarum, Praesidio
- Praefectus Equitum Crispianorum, Dano
- Praefectus Numeri defensorum, Barboniaco
- Praefectus Equitum, catafractariorum, Morbio
- Praefectus Numeri Solensium, Maglone
- Praefectus Numeri barcariorum Tigrisiensium, Arbeia
- Praefectus Numeri Pacensium, Magis
- Praefectus Numeri Nerviorum Dictensium, Dicti
- Praefectus Numeri Longovicanorum, Longovicium
- Praefectus Numeri vigilum, Concangis
- Praefectus Numeri supervenientium Petueriensium, Deruentione ( Derventio ?)
Then follow the garrisons along Hadrian's Wall (per item lineam Valli):
- Cohortis quaternary Lingonum, Segedunum
- Tribune Alae Petrianae, Petriana
- Praefectus cohortis primae Cornoviorum, Pons Aelius
- Tribune Alae primae Asturum, Cilurnum or Cilurvum
- Praefectus Numeri Maurorum Aurelianorum, Aballaba
- Praefectus cohortis primae Frixagorum, Vindobala
- Tribune cohortis secundae Lingonum, Segedunum
- Tribune Alae Sabinianae, Hunnum or Onnum
- Praefectus cohortis primae Hispanorum, Uxelodunum or Petriana
- Tribune Alae secundae Asturum, Aesica
- Praefectus cohortis secundae Thracum, Gabrosenti
- Tribune cohortis primae Batavorum, Procolita
- Tribune cohortis primae Aeliae Classicae, Tunnocelo
- Tribune cohortis primae Tungrorum Classicae, Vercovicium
- Tribune cohortis primae Morinorum, Glannoventa
- Tribune cohortis quaternary Gallorum, Vindolanda
- Tribune cohortis tertiae Nerviorum, Alione ( Alauna ?)
- Tribune cohortis primae Asturum, Aesica
- Cuneus Sarmatarum,Bremetenraco ( Bremenium ?)(no officer stated)
- Cohortis secundae Dalmatarum, Magnis
- Tribune Alae primae Herculeae, Olenaco
- Praefectus cohortis primae Aeliae Dacorum, Camboglanna or Banna
- Tribune cohortis sextae Nerviorum, Virosido
and an unknown unit in the fort Luguvalium
The Dux Britanniarum held command over thirty-eight regimental commanders. Infantry units were concentrated along the Wall. A Sarmatian unit of heavy cavalry (Cuneus Sarmatarum), was stationed near the crossroads at Ribchester. As their name suggests the Praefectus Numeri exploratorum were used for reconnaissance. The Equites Crispianorum was located at Doncaster, and a naval unit at the mouth of the Tyne. Collins estimates troop counts from a low of 7,000 to as much as 15,000, with the average approximating 12,500. [1]
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