Stamped Red Brick Fragment

Carnuntum, c62AD-200AD. Very good. Fragment of a reddish clay brick with the stamp of Legio X Gemina Pia Fidelis “"LEG X C P[F]". Mortar layer on the back, otherwise a very good and well preserved stamp. Ex collection Piscator 1959. Cf. on this piece Brandl, op. cit. no. 187-190. 6 1/2" x 4" x 1 1/4" Legio X Gemina was formed from the disbanded Legio X, the first Roman legion levied personally by Julius Caesar. It was one of the four legions used by Caesar in his invasion of Gaul, it fought for Octavian and Antony against Brutus and Cassius in the Battle of Philippi, it followed Antony against Parthia, then went under the control of Augustus after his (truncated) defeat of Antony, they were sent to Carnuntum (a fortress on the Danube between current day Vienna and Bratislava) in about 61 AD where, after moving twice for short periods, they settled finally in 103 AD until the 5th century.

Red clay bricks like these were a common building material in Roman architecture from about the time of Augustus, and making bricks was among the chores for Roman soldiers during their down time. (Inventory #: 1106)