Civilians in the fort. Racari case (original) (raw)

2013

Abstract

Documentary sources give little indication about where militaries’ families lived. Archaeological evidence comes to support the theory of civilian presence in military milieu, emphasizing the fact that some of the non-combatant personnel left some traces within the fort. The aim of this paper is to present and analyze the artefacts that came to light from the auxiliary fort from Răcari (Dolj County), artefacts that belong rather to civilians and not to military staff. Attention will be put upon the spot where these artefacts have come to light, in order to understand the relationships between different spaces within the camp, but as well the connection between the activities that the discoveries attest and the people who carried them out. Another important feature highlighted by the analysis of these artefacts that point civilian presence in the fort is the way in which the army integrated into provincial society. With the exception of marching camps, most Roman military bases were relatively long-lived communities. Given that a soldier usually served for 20 to 25 years, much of his adult life was spent in active service. While the Roman administrative system would have considered it an expensive option to allow these soldiers to have legitimate Roman marriages, this does not render ordinary soldiers’ families non-existent. The presence of ordinary soldiers’ families and followers providing food, entertainment and other services within the fort sheds new light on the space available to each soldier, and calculation of the strength of a specific troop based on space. Likewise, the analysis of artefacts discovered within the Răcari fort might suggest the relation established between the fort and the settlements outside its gates.

Corina Nicolae hasn't uploaded this paper.

Let Corina know you want this paper to be uploaded.

Ask for this paper to be uploaded.