The ala pannoniorum in the army of illyricum

Abstract

The province of Illyricum, established shortly after Octavian’s Illyrian war and divided into Illyricum Superius (Dalmatia) and Illyricum Inferius (Pannonia) during or after the Pannonian-Dalmatian Rebellion, was garrisoned by several legions and various auxiliary regiments. The list of auxilia includes an ala Pannoniorum. Epigraphic evidence from Dalmatia and Pannonia provides some information on its relocation, as well as on its recruitment. Under Augustus, the regiment was in Dalmatia. It was relocated to Pannonia ca. 15 AD. At the beginning of Vespasian’s reign, the ala Pannoniorum was transferred to Moesia Inferior. Its return to the Pannonian section of the Danubian limes is dated after the Marcommanic War of Marcus Aurelius. Belonging to the army of Pannonia Inferior, the unit was probably stationed in the fortress of Cusum. Epigraphic evidence allows us to glimpse certain patterns of its recruitment during the first sojourn in Illyricum. It appears that it was conscripted among the bellicose tribes of the Iberian Peninsula and the indigenous population of the southern Pannonia.