WARRIORS AND OTHERS: THE IDENTITY OF A ROMAN SOLDIER IN THE PROVINCES OF SERBIA

Abstract

Roman soldiers and veterans settled in the Danube provinces formed one of the most important pillars of Roman rule, economic development, urbanization and Romanization. Tombstones are the best evidence of the image that the Roman soldiers wanted to show and permanently record. This paper is dedicated to the relief representations on the tombstones of Roman soldiers and members of their families, that reflect the way in which this significant part of the provincial population regarded themselves in relation to others and society as a whole. Although their form and volume depended on current fashion or established customs and conventions, and were conditioned by various factors: social and material position of the individual and his origin, cultural and intellectual preferences, the tombstone was supposed to mark not only the place of burial of the deceased’s earthly remains, but also to perpetuate his earthly appearance, achievements and heritage. At a time when literacy was not a widespread phenomenon, such visual representations were of great importance for marking the graves of prominent individuals and emphasize their professions and reputations. The display of soldiers often in a dominant and even arrogant position, with exposed weapons, various military insignia, decorations, but also recognizable signs of authority (sticks, beneficiary spears, scrolls, fibulae...) indicated their high status, honorable service and the appropriate salary grade (sesquiplicarii, duplicarii) clearly distinguishing them from the rest of the population.