Novensia: Studia i Materiały (15.2004)

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mentioned in anonymus inscription from Axiopolis from the end of 3rd or from
the 4th century.13 Some scholars, and among them also T. Sarnowski suggested
however that the text was made in the first decade of Diocletian’s reign, most
probably in 294 AD during Diocletian’s visit on Lower Danube [Zahariade 1983,
252-253; Sarnowski 1988, 127; Zahariade 1988, 65; Zahariade 1997, 639],14
When we approve the identity of C(aius) Aurel(ius) F[irminianus] with C(aius)
Aur(elius) Firminianus, we can notice that it is very doubtful that the other one
was at first the dux of the whole Danube area (it means just after 286 AD) and
then he was in fact degraded and called for the post of dux limitis Scythiae.
If we follow the opinion of T. Sarnowski and other scholars that the inscription
from Axiopolis was made in 294 AD and mentions the dux Scythiae, it means
that at least in 294 AD there was particular dux in Scythia.
When we approve the doubts of T. Sarnowski concerning the mentioned
inscriptions from Tomis, it is still almost impossible that there was ever one dux
of the whole Lower Danube area in the beginning of Diocletian’s reign.
According to the opinion of some scientists [Helgeland 1979, 783, 788-789;
Zahariade 1988, 53], the judges in the cases of Christian martyrs — soldier
Dasius15 and the veteran Iulius16 — in 303 - 304 AD, in Moesia Secunda were
praesides: Bassus (called in the source the legatus) and Maximus.11 So at least
in the case of Bassus, the praeses was a judge for soldiers and it means that civil
governor of Moesia Secunda had then superiority over the army forces. Such a
situation was very common in many provinces created by Diocletian [Anderson
1932, 27-29; Jones 1954; Jones 1964, 43-44; Chastagnol 1985, 242; Mann 1977,
12]. It has been changed during Constantine I, who diffused in more provinces a
particular army command under the dux or comes. When we approve this opinion
and compare it to the sources concerning C. Aur. Firminianus, we can conclude
that there were two local army commanders on Lower Danube ca 300 AD: the
dux in Scythia Minor and praeses in Moesia Secunda. So there was then no place
for another office: one dux of the whole Danube frontier.
And the last problem, concerning the detachments from legions I Iovia and
II Herculia which were dispatched to Crimea in 293 AD. As T. Sarnowski
admitted, they could fight with the Bosphorans, Sarmatians or Goths and their
mission could be only temporary. During the period of tetrarchy it was common
to take some units from legions and to dispatch them to the places where military
campaigns were conducted [see e.g.: Ritterling 1925, col. 1457-1462; Parker 1933,
183-184, 186; Seston 1946, 299-300, 302-306]. The same rule was applied to
Scythian legions as noticed T. Sarnowski [Sarnowski 1988, 124, 152-153; see
also Zahariade: 1983; Zahariade 1988, 68-73], The same could happen to the
units from Scythian legions in Crimea around 293 AD. We have to remember
also that inscription from Chersonez does not mention the term dux. Therefore
this text does not prove the existence of the post of dux but only the garrisoning
of Scythian detachments on Crimea.