This page last modified: 4 November 2014 (various links added)
26 units are listed as being under the command of the Master of the Soldiers in Illyricum:
|
2 vexillationes comitatenses:
Equites sagittarii seniores |
1 legio palatina: |
6 auxilia palatina:
Ascarii seniores |
8 legiones comitatenses:
Matiarii constantes |
9 pseudocomitatenses:
Timacenses auxiliarii |
Note that the Munich manuscript inserts a Balistarii Theodosiani between the Secundi Theodosiani and the Balistarii Theodosiani iuniores (while still stating there are 9 pseudocomitatenses units listed and not 10). Of the listed units, neither the shields of the 2 cavalry units nor those of the pseudocomitatenses units are illustrated. The shields of the 15 other infantry units are illustrated below from top to bottom, left to right, in the order given above, using the Bodleian manuscript pictures.
The eastern Illyrian command, like that of the western equivalent, under the Comes Illyricum, appears to reflect the turmoil in the Balkans at the time the Notitia was compiled: it appears to have suffered heavy losses in the relatively recent past as evidenced by the very high proportion of pseudocomitatenses units that have presumably been drafted into the force to bring it up to strength. The Scupenses, Ulpianenses, and the Merenses, for example, would appear to represent ex-garrison units from Scupi (modern Skopje in Macedonia), Ulpiana (in Kossovo), and Merion (modern location unsure), all three of the cities of 6th century Dardania according to the Byzantine geographer Hierocles' Synekdemos.
Below are the same 15 units as illustrated in the Parisian manuscript.
Below are the corresponding pictures from the Munich manuscript: first portion on top; second portion below.
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