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BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
Antient Roman Legionary clay brick with a soldier`s left footprint, wearing the typical sandals with nailed soles
Original stamp: LEG I...[ADPF]
DIMENSIONS: 42cm x 36cm x 5cm (16" x 14" x 2")
WEIGHT: 10 kg (22 lb)
HISTORY OF THE ITEM:
The Romans made fired clay bricks, and the Roman legions, which operated mobile kilns, introduced bricks to many parts of the empire.
Roman bricks are often stamped with the mark of the legion that supervised their production.
LEGIO I ADIUTRIX PIA FIDELIS
Following the murder of Roman Emperor Domitian in 96, LEG I Adiutrix, along with the Danubian army, played an important role in Roman politics,
forcing Epmeror Nerva to adopt Trajan as his successor. When Trajan became emperor, he gave the legion the cognomen Pia Fidelis ("loyal and faithful")
to acknowledge their support. Between 101 and 106, under the new emperor's command, I Adiutrix, along with IV Flavia Felix and XIII Gemina,
conquered Dacia and occupied the newly formed province. Trajan also used his Pia Fidelis in the campaign against Parthia (115–117).
In the history of ancient Rome only 8 Roman Legions received the honorary title Pia Fidelis.
The clay bricks prduced by the distinguished legions included the abbreviation "PF" or "P.F." right after the name and number of the legion - i.e. LEGIADPF.
POSSIBLE DATE OF MANUFACTURE: 1st Century C.E.
PROVENANCE: German private collection
CURRENT LOCATION: Since the late 1950's the item is located in Dortmund, Germany.
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