- The Castra Peregrinorum meant ‘Fort of the Provincials’. Peregrini meant a Provincial.
- The barracks were located on the Caelian Hill, and the Ruins were found just next to the church of San Stefano al Monte Celio.
Description
- It was a military barracks shared between the ‘Peregrini’ and the Frumentarii.
- The barracks were possibly constructed as early as Augustus (30 BCE – 14 CE), but definitely by the reign of Trajan (98-117 CE).
- After c.180 CE, a Mithraeum was constructed out of existing chambers.
Origin and Role of the Soldiers
- The Peregrini were ex soldiers who had served in the Provinces, now based in Rome but operating in all the Provinces that had no Legions.
- The Frumentarii were also ex soldiers from the Provinces, now based in Rome, initially to organise the supplies, in particular, grain, for the Legions in the Provinces.
Headquarters of the Frumentarii
- Under Hadrian, the Frumentarii were reorganised to run messages, make reports and undertake special duties. They were a separate organisation to the Praetorian Guard. The Frumentarii remained in uniform.
- Information flowed in to the Castra Peregrinorum from all over Italy and the Empire.
- Despite the name ‘Peregrini’ meaning ‘Provincial’, the soldiers were Roman Citizens.
Command Hierarchy
- Princeps Peregrinorum
- This was the Camp Commandant mentioned by Ammianus Marcellinus in the fourth century CE.
- An earlier Inscription mentioning his title was also discovered dating to the reign of Trajan (98-117 CE).
- Sub Princeps Peregrinorum
- his second in command.
- Optio Peregrinorum
- a junior officer.
- Centurio Frumentarius
- an ordinary officer.
Santo Stefano al Monte Celio, Rome