Vindolanda writing tablet number 128
A.K. Bowman and J.D. Thomas
J.R. Ratcliff
Digital edition: 1
Centre for the Study of Ancient Documents, University of Oxford
2001-09-02
Alan K. Bowman and J. David Thomas, The Vindolanda Writing Tablets (Tabulae Vindolandenses II), British Museum Publications ( London), 1994
EnglishAncient GreekLatin
A fragment of a leaf which is complete at the right-hand edge and perhaps at the
foot. It contains a report made by an optio named Arquittius in a form which is
paralleled in 127
(see also above, p.76).
. . . . . . .
renuntia[ue]r[unt optio-
nes et curatores
detulit
Arquittius optio(centuriae) Crescentis
curatores: the term occurs as a rank or regular position in units with cavalry, see Breeze
(1974), 282-3, RMR 47.i.7, CEL82 (= ChLA X
431). Elsewhere, it probably denotes a specific function or task rather than a regular rank (Gilliam (1986), 109-13, O.Flor., p.24) and this may well be the case here.
If we had the local equivalent of curatores praesidii (see O.Flor., loc. cit.), they might be in charge of
small detachments outposted to local fortlets (cf. 154.16 note and introduction).
Arquittius: for this name as a gentilicium see LE
126, 403; it does not seem to occur as a cognomen.
For a century of Crescens see 148.2 and note. The name is very common.