Lo stipendium dei centuriones e dei praepositi sotto Diocleziano

Abstract

How much money did the uiri ducenarii in command of military units get from the hardened hands of Diocletian in 300 AD? Since 269 AD we find praepositi et ducenarii protectores commanding legionary detachments and picked troopers at Cularo, where a little army had been sent by Claudius II in order to help reconquer prouincia Narbonensis from the secessionist State of the Gallic Empire. Another praepositus, put in charge of the equites Promoti legionis II Traianae, is shown to get 18˙000 denarii every four months in 300 AD (the stipendium was still being paid in three instalments a year), namely 216˙000 HS each year. The broad meaning of the word ducenarius and a yearly pay of 216˙000 HS fit very well together. The answer to the opening question elicits some far-reaching suggestions on some hot topics of military stipendium and equestrian salarium in the Early Empire. It also brings into play the donatiua and their sizes under the reign of Diocletian.