La présence militaire à l’ouest de la Numidie : nouvelles inscriptions d’Henchir el Hassane.

The military presence in western Numidia: new inscriptions in Henchir el Hassane.

Abstract

This study analyzes three inscriptions discovered in Henchir el Hassane, west of Diana Veteranorum (Zana) in Numidia, with two of them previously unpublished. These inscriptions, dating from the 3rd century, confirm the presence of a Roman military post occupied by cavalry units of the Ala Flavia or the singulares corps. The research aims to define the role and organization of this military installation, shedding light on its function within the broader Roman defensive system in North Africa.

The military organization of Roman provinces in Africa during the 2nd and 3rd centuries relied on a sophisticated surveillance and defense system designed to secure frontier territories. The Numido-Mauretanian border was a critical region, subject to incursions from tribal groups and political instability. The newly examined inscriptions offer fresh insights into the evolution of Roman military practices, specifically the transition from fixed garrisons to a more mobile, adaptable approach emphasizing dynamic surveillance over static fortifications.

Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach—including epigraphy, cartography, topography, and military history—the study reconstructs the defensive structure of Roman Africa, focusing on Henchir el Hassane as a key military site. The inscriptions provide direct evidence of elite cavalry detachments stationed at the post, supporting the hypothesis of a structured surveillance network. One inscription from 1940 mentions a duplicarius of the Ala Flavia stationed at fauces Vazub during the reign of Severus Alexander (222-235). Another unpublished inscription from 1952 refers to an optio of the singulares corps, suggesting a specialized role for these elite units in regional defense. A third inscription from 1980 names M. Sextilius Donatus, holding dual roles as duplicarius and optio of the equites singulares, further confirming the complexity of the Roman military structure in the region.

The study also draws upon supplementary sources, including an inscription from El Hassi Tamahrit and cartographic data from the Peutinger Table, which indicates fortified positions along the border. These findings highlight the shift in Roman strategy towards increased mobility and intelligence gathering, rather than concentrating forces in permanent fortifications. By analyzing the Henchir el Hassane site within this broader context, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of Roman military adaptation in Africa, demonstrating how strategic flexibility became essential in maintaining regional security.