- The Roman Legions had specialised units for different terrain including a Camel Corps for the desert in Syria.
History
- Ala I Ulpia Dromedariorum Milliaria
- Based in Syria, created by Trajan c.117 CE and documented as being based there during the reign of Hadrian.
- Similar Dromedariorum Milliaria must also have existed in Egypt and North Africa.
- ‘Dromedarii’ meant they were camel mounted troops of the Auxilia.
- ‘Milliaria’ usually meant an ‘Ala Milliaria’ of 720 or 768 Riders, consisting of 24 Turmae of 30 Horses each, in this case, Camels.
- Cohors I Ulpia Sagittariorum
Suetonius Paulinus
- In 50 CE Suetonius Paulinus invaded the Fezzan in the Sahara and made the Garamantes a Roman Client Kingdom until the third century CE.
- He used a Roman Camel Corps to cross the Sahara.
The unique advantages of the Camel
- The only method of moving through the Sahara desert (except along the River Nile) was by Camel.
- The Camel can:
- move fast and silently through waist high sand.
- travel for three days without water. The camel stores water and food as fat in its hump. The camel is a ruminant and after swallowing its food which goes to the first stomach, it later returns to the mouth to be chewed as cud. (like a cow)
- travel up to 30 miles per day.
- be bred for speed and durability. Camel Racing has continued to the present day.
- kneel down and lie on its stomach, making it easier to mount.
- carry goods and supplies.
- survive sand storms: The camel can adjust its body temperature by six degrees Celsius either way. It has two sets of eyelashes to protect its eyes, and can close its slitted nostrils. It’s thick leathery skin protects it from the sand, and it has a thick coat of hair protecting it from the sun.
Modern Use
- Today, the Egyptian army still maintains a Camel Corps unit, originally set up by the British Army in 1882 and used in the Battle of Omdurman in 1898.
DvD
- Khartoum (1966)
- The Film has scenes of the British Army riding Camels in formation.
Antioch (Antakya), Capital of Roman Syria