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]" (the 10th Roman legion of 5,280 men split into 10 cohorts). 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 in 58 BCE. It distinguished itself as one of the four legions used by Caesar in his invasion of Gaul, fought for Octavian and Antony against Brutus and Cassius in the Battle of Philippi (truncated) in 42 BCE, and followed Antony in his campaigns against Parthia and Armenia (36-34 BCE). The legion surrendered to Octavian after the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE, losing its prestigious name Equestris as punishment and receiving veterans from other legions, which earned it the cognomen "Gemina" (twin). After service in the Cantabrian Wars and brief deployments to various frontier posts, the legion was sent to Carnuntum (a fortress on the Danube between current day Vienna and Bratislava) in about 61 CE where it remained vigilant against Germanic threats. Following participation in Trajan's Second Dacian War, the legion moved twice more, first to Aquincum (Budapest) in 103 CE, then finally to Vindobona (Vienna) in 114 CE, where they remained stationed defending the Danube frontier until the 5th century, though vexillationes were periodically sent for campaigns in Judaea, Mauritania, and Parthia.

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)