Old Stuff

Ancient Roman Military Liturgy

Interesting stuff on the Feriale Duranum, and the liturgical life of the Roman army:

he Feriale Duranum is just one copy, dating from the reign of Severus Alexander, of the contemporary version of a calendar that must have been distributed to every camp and garrison ever since Augustus took in hand the reform of military service and its associated religious observances. In contrast to the private practices of troops, which are what the inscriptions reflect by and large, this list of festivals provides an overview of the official cult of Roman units at every level of command throughout the empire. Where such rites will have taken place is not in evidence in the papyrus itself but there is no good reason to doubt that official ceremonies will have been performed at headquarters in the courtyard of the praetorium or within the military chapel, perhaps also at the local Caesareum wherever one existed, as in Egypt for example.