STUDIA NAD KULTURĄ ANTYCZNĄ V

Opole 2009

PIOTR LETKI
OPOLE

The state factories (fabricae)

during the time of tetrarchy

Changes in Roman military system, which took place in the end of 3rd and
the beginning of the 4th century thanks to emperors Diocletian and Constantine,
made the foundations of working of late roman army1. Organizational, structural
quantity and quality changes reached not only separate branches and its soldiers
but they also concerned wide understanding of logistic hinterland of the army
which took care of the proper working exercitus Romanus. From the military
point of view the first and the greatest importance was to equip the army with
weapon.

1
Th. Mommsen, Das Römische Militärwesen seit Diocletian, „Hermes”, 24, 1899, S. 195–
279; R. Grosse, Römische Militärgeschichte von Gallienus bis zum Beginn der byzantinischen
Themenverfassung, Berlin 1920, S. 23–221; H.M.D. Parker, The Legions of Diocletian and
Constantine, JRS, 23, 1933, p. 175–189; E.C. Nischer, The Army Reforms of Diocletian
and Constantine and Their Modification up to the Time of the Notitia Dignitatum, JRS, 13,
1923, p. 1–55; N.H. Baynes, Three Notes on the Reforms of Diocletian and Constantine,
JRS, 15, 1925, p. 195–208; W. Seston, Du comitatus de Dioclétien aux comitatenses de
Constantin, „Historia”, 4, 1955, p. 284–296; W. Ensslin, Valerius Diocletianus, RE, VII A. 2,
col. 2456–2457; B. Bleckmann, Diocletianus, NP, III, col. 578–587; D. van Berchem,
L’Armée de Dioclétien et la Réforme Constantinienne, Paris 1952; A. Demandt, Diokletian
als Reformer, in: Diokletian und die Tetrarchie: Aspekte einer Zeitenwerde, ed. A. Demandt,
A. Goltz, H. Schlange-Schöningen, Berlin 2004, S. 1–10; A.H.M. Jones, The Later Roman
Empire. Social, Economic and Administrative Survey, vol. 1–2, Baltimore 1986, p. 52–60,
97–100; 607–686; P. Southern, The Roman Empire from Severus to Constantine, London and
New York 2001, p. 134–181; P. Southern, K.R. Dixon, The Late Roman Army, London 2000,
p. 15–38; M.J. Nicasie, Twilight of Empire. The Roman Army from the Reign of Diocletian
until the Battle of Adrianople, Amsterdam 1998, p. 13–43; J.B. Campbell, The Army,
in: The Cambridge Ancient History, t. XII: The Crisis of Empire A.D. 193–337, ed.
A.K. Bowman, P. Garnsey, A. Cameron, Cambridge 2005, p. 110–136; H. Elton, Military
50 PIOTR LETKI

Since Marius’ military reform the nation shouldered the duty of equip
the army with arms2. Abolition of wealth census, which limited access to military
service for the poorest Roman society members, caused that soldiers did not have
to take care of buying equipment for their own money. They received full kit from
the nation resources, and repaid its worth from money which they got in their
parade. Its value often roused dissatisfaction among soldiers, who complained
that it is not enough to cover all needed expenses down to the purchase of
the weapon3. Their sorrow could be bigger, because after the termination of their

Forces, in: The Cambridge History of Greek and Roman Warfare, vol. 2: Rome from the Late
Republic to the Late Empire, ed. P. Sabin, H. van Wees, M. Whitby, Cambridge 2008, p. 270–
309; idem, Warfare and the Military, in: The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine,
ed. N. Lensky, Cambridge 2006, p. 325–346; T.D. Barnes, The New Empire of Diocletian
and Constantine, London 1982; S. Williams, Diocletian and the Roman Recovery, London
1985; W. Kuhoff, Diokletian und die Epoche der Tetrarchie. Das römische Reich zwischen
Krisenbewältigung und Neuaufbau (284–313 n. Chr.), Frankfurt/M-Berlin-Bern-Bruxelles-
New York-Oxford-Wien 2001, S. 411–483; K. Strobel, Strategy and Army Structure between
Septimius Severus and Constantine the Great, in: A Companion to the Roman Army, ed.
P. Erdkamp, Oxford 2007, p. 267–285; R. Tomlin, The Mobile Army, in: P. Connolly, Greece
and Rome at War, London 1981, p. 249–259.
2
R. Weynand, C. Marius, RE, Suppl. VI, col. 1363–1425; Liebemann, Exercitus, RE,
VI. 2, col. 1599–1600; R. Grosse, op. cit., S. 98; A. Graczkowski, Armia rzymska w okresie
schyłku republiki: organizacja, uzbrojenie, taktyka, Toruń 2009, p. 138; G. Alföldy, Historia
społeczna starożytnego Rzymu, Poznań 2003, p. 113; Z. Żygulski jun., Broń starożytna.
Grecja, Rzym, Galia, Germania, Warszawa 1998, p. 87–88; G. Webster, The Roman Imperial
Army of the First and Second Centuries AD, 3rd ed., London 1998, p. 19–22; L. Keppie,
The Making of the Roman Army, London 1984, p. 61–63; J. Serrati, Warfare and the State,
CHGRW, vol. 1: Greece, the Hellenistic World and the Rise of Rome, ed. P. Sabin, H. van
Wees, M. Whitby, Cambridge 2008, p. 496–497; E. Gabba, Republican Rome: The Army
and the Allies, Oxford 1976, p. 9–19; A. W. Lintott; The Roman Empire and its Problems in
the Late Second Century, CAH, t. IX: The Last Age of the Roman Republic 146–43 BC, ed.
J.A. Crook, A. Lintott, E. Rawson, Cambridge 1994, p. 16–39; idem, Political History 146-
95 BC, CAH, t. IX, p. 40–103; P. Connolly, Historia armii rzymskiej, Wrocław 1992, p. 26–
27; A. K. Goldsworthy, The Complete Roman Army, London 2004, p. 46–47; P. Cagniart,
The Late Republican Army (146–30 BC), CRA, p. 80-95; B. Dobson, Army organization,
in: P. Connolly, Greece and Rome at War, p. 213–214; P. Matela, Reforma Mariuszów. Jej
geneza i tło społeczno-polityczne, „Scripta Minora”, t. 3: Aetas Imperatoria, ed. L. Mrozewicz,
K. Ilski, Poznań 1999, s. 109–117.
3
Tacitus, Annales, ed. E. Koestermann, Leipzig 1960–1962, I. 17: Enimvero militiam
ipsam gravem, infructuosam: denis in diem assibus animam et corpus aestimari: hinc vestem
arma tentoria, hinc saevitiam centurionum et vacationes munerum redimi; Tacyt, Roczniki, in:
Dzieła, przeł. S. Hammer, Warszawa 2004; G.R. Watson, The Roman Soldier, New York 1985,
p. 103; M.A. Speidel, Roman Army Pay Scales, JRS, 82, 1992, p. 88, note 6; M.C. Bishop,
J.C.N. Coulston, Roman Military Equipment. From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome, 2nd
ed., Oxford 2006, p. 262.
 THE STATE FACTORIES (FABRICAE) DURING THE TIME OF TETRARCHY 51

military service they had to leave own weapon for the army, and those who lived
the moment of ending their military career could only get little amount of money
in return for equipment4. However towards times before Marius’ reform weapon
because cheaper commodity than so far, and it happened in view of its mass
production5. The same kit allocated to each new enlisted soldier from the state
arsenal also caused standardization of Roman armaments and made its general
models known6. The necessity of big amounts of the weapon production, which
satisfied all quality standards, demanded the workings of specialized armour
establishment, which could meet the army' demand for new arms and which could
also be the repair workshop. It was substituted by armaments factories labelled
fabricae armorum.
In the ancient Rome, to start with Republic times, armour establishments
worked mainly in cities both in the capital of the Imperium and in the most
important urban centres7. Romans took over the system of armaments production
from Greeks broaden out of new element, which was fabricae8. Arms production
among urban walls was the widespread solution in the ancient world. Diodorus
of Sicily, talking about conflict between Carthage and Sicily in 399 B.C. wrote
that tyrant of Syracuse Dionysius I changed the city into one big factory, which
produced weapon for his army9. During the Second Punic War Scypio Africanus,
after the capture of Carthago Nova, changed it into huge armour workshop10.

4
M. C. Bishop, The Military Fabrica and the Production of Arms in the Early Principate,
in: The Production and Distribution of Roman Military Equipment. Proceedings of
the Second Roman Military Equipment Research Seminar, BAR International Series 275,
ed. M.C. Bishop, Oxford 1985, p. 9; J.F. Gilliam, The Deposita of the Auxiliary Soldier
(P. Columbia inv. 325), BJ, 167, 1967, p. 237–238; D.J. Breeze, The Ownership of Arms
in the Roman Army, „Britannia”, 7, 1976, p. 93–95; M.C. Bishop, J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit.,
p. 262–266; G.R. Watson, op. cit., p. 104; D. Woods, The Ownership and Disposal of Military
Equipment in the Late Roman Army, JRMES, 4, 1993, p. 55–65.
5
A. Graczkowski, op. cit., p. 138.
6
Z. Żugulski jun., op. cit., p. 118–119; L. Keppie, op. cit., p. 22; M.T. Burns,
The Homogenisation of Military Equipment under the Roman Republic, „Digressus”,
Supplement I, 2003, p. 60–85.
7
Tacitus, Historiae, ed. E. Koestermann, Leipzig 1960–1962, II. 82: Prima belli cura agere
dilectus, revocare veteranos; destinantur validae civitates exercendis armorum officinis.
8
M.C. Bishop, The Military Fabrica…, p. 17.
9
Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca Historica, ed. I. Bekker, L. Dindorf, F. Vogel, C.T. Fisher,
vol. 3, Leipzig 1893, XIV. 41–43.
10
Titi Livi Ab urbe condita libri, ed. G. Weissenborn, M. Müller, 6 vol., Lipsiae 1898–1906,
XXVI. 47; Tytus Liwiusz, Dzieje Rzymu od założenia miasta, ks. I – XLV, ed. A. Kościółek,
J. Wolski, M. Brożek, Wrocław–Warszawa–Kraków 1968–1982; N. Fields, The Roman Army
of the Punic Wars 264–146 BC, Oxford 2007, p. 80–81.
52 PIOTR LETKI

In struggles with Rome also Carthaginians were able to move the city on
the military production. They produced huge amounts of different kind of weapon
everyday11. Whereas Caesar, describing Massylia's siege, mentioned the initiation
of the armour workshops by the city defenders12.
Location of weapon label in the main urban centres enabled fast equip
the army with the needed equipment. It was possible mainly in view of
comparatively little distances between the army and its logistic backup.
However, this situation has changed when Rome showed its expansion beyond
Mediterranean areas, definitely poorer in view of urban agglomeration13. Roman
soldiers were able to do small arms repairs off their own bat and took care of its
conservation effectively14. However, the necessity of removal of more serious
faults, not to mention new weapon production, was for beyond their capabilities,
especially during the war campaign. In such situation they had to choose between
excessive range to communicative trail what undoubtedly could complicate fast
munitions of fighting units, and transfer armaments production in faraway areas,
to new places of legions' station15. Information about state factors workings in
military camp we can find in Josephus16, Vegetius17 and Hyginus18. They operated

11
Appiani Historia Romana, ed. L. Mendelssohn, Lipsiae 1879, VIII. 93: tacÝ d kaˆ
q£rsouj ™k tÁj metabolÁj ™p…mplanto. kaˆ dhmiourge‹a mn t¦ dhmÒsia temšnh kaˆ
ƒer¦ p£nta kaˆ e‡ ti ¥llo eÙrÚcwron Ãn, ™gšneto· e„rg£zonto dÐmoà ¥ndrej te kaˆ
guna‹kej ¹mšraj te kaˆ nuktÒj, [m¾] ¢napauÒmenoi kaˆ s‹ton aƒroÚmenoi par¦ mšroj,
™pˆ ÓrJ taktù, qureoÝj ˜katÕn ¹mšraj ˜k£sthj kaˆ x…fh triakÒsia kaˆ katapeltik¦
bšlh c…lia, saÚnia d kaˆ lÒgcaj pentakos…aj kaˆ katapšltaj, Ósouj dunhqe‹en.
™j d t¦j ™pit£seij aÙtîn ¢pškeiran t¦j guna‹kaj tricîn ˜tšrwn ¢por…v; Appian
z Aleksandrii, Historia rzymska, t. 1, ed. L. Piotrowicz, Wrocław 2004; M.C. Bishop,
J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit., p. 233.
12
Caesar Gaius Iulius, Commentarii belli civillis, ed. A. Klotz, Lipsiae 1969, I. 34. 5:
…frumentum ex finitimis regionibus atque ex omnibus castellis in urbem convexerant, armorum
officinas in urbe instituerant, muros portas classem reficiebant; idem, Wojna domowa, in:
Corpus Caesarianum, ed. E. Konik i W. Nowosielska, Wrocław 2003.
13
M.C. Bishop, J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit., p. 234.
14
A. Graczkowski, op. cit., p. 164–167.
15
M.C. Bishop, The Military Fabrica…, p. 16–17.
16
Flavii Josephi Opera omnia, ed. B. Niese, vol. 6, De Bello Iudaico, Lipsiae 1855-1856,
III. 5. 2. 83: ésper d ™n sced…J pÒlij kaˆ ¢gor£ tij ¢pode…knutai kaˆ ceirotšcnaij
cwr…on qîko… te locago‹j kaˆ taxi£rcoij, ÓpV dik£zoien, e‡ tinej diafšrointo ; Józef
Flawiusz, Wojna żydowska, ed. J. Radożycki, Warszawa 1995.
17
Flavius Vegetius Renatus, Epitoma Rei Militaris, ed. C. Lang, Lipsiae 1885, II. 11:
Habebant etiam fabricas scutarias, loricarias, arcuarias in quibus sagittae missibilia
cassides omniaque armorum genera formabantur; Vegetius, Epitoma Rei Militaris, ed.
 THE STATE FACTORIES (FABRICAE) DURING THE TIME OF TETRARCHY 53

easily in permanent legion camps and also in nominated summer (aestiva) and
winter (hibernae)19 quarters for soldiers. Winter term, which widely made wage
warfare difficult, especially on European theatre workings, could be used on
armaments surplus production, what was difficult during war campaigns, when
the army stayed in temporary camps, often assigned only for one night. Creating
the possibility of the repair and production weapon for particular legion need in
a sense opted it out of deliveries from national workshops. Nevertheless, they were
still very important arms source, especially in the case of creating new legions.
It happens that, although their workings, the number of soldiers' equipment was
not enough. In the case of civil war the lack of equipment could be supplemented
using arms captured from the enemy because both sides used the same kind of kit.
Probably in that case, after the battle with Pharsalus, Caesar ordered the defeated
Pompey’s soldiers to deposit the weapon in one place20. What is more after
the battle the Romans always took their equipment, and always some part of it
could be used anew, of course after necessary repairs21.
Weapon production system hammered out in decadence of Republic and
working in the period of Principate, according to changes made in Roman
military system at the end of 3rd and at the beginning of 4th century, had to
submit to reorganization, which settled it into new military reality of Imperium
Romanum. It was no doubt that the basis of its reform was the pattern worked up
earlier, and its main element were the national armour workshops22. Prior than
from 4th century sources23 did not certify the working many of those workshops.
About some of them we can find out only from information included in Notitia
Dignitatum24. For period before appearance of this document we can find just

M.D. Reeve, Oxford 2004; Flawiusz Wegecjusz Renatus, Zarys wojskowości ksiąg cztery,
transl. A.M. Komornicka, Book. II, „Meander”, 12, 1973, p. 485–501; R. Grosse, op. cit.,
S. 98–99.
18
Hygini Gromatici, Liber de Munitionibus Castrorum, ed. G. Gemoll, Lipsiae 1879, 4:
hoc est veterinarium et fabrica; 35: Fit numerus cum pedatura valetudinarii, veterinarii et
fabricae…; Y. Le Bohec, The Roman Imperial Army, London and New York 2001, p. 133.
19
M.C. Bishop, The Military Fabrica…, p. 13.
20
Caesar, Bell. Civ., III. 98. 1.
21
A. Graczkowski, op. cit., p. 167.
22
M.C. Bishop, The Military Fabrica…, p. 17.
23
D. Hoffmann, Das spätrömische Bewegungsheer und die Notitia Dignitatum, t. 1–2,
Düsseldorf 1969–1970, S. 83–107.
24
Notitia Dignitatum, ed. Otto Seeck, repr., Frankfurt am Mainz 1983: Or. IX 18–39; Occ.
XI. 16–39; R. Grosse, op. cit., S. 100–102; M.C. Bishop, J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit., p. 239;
H.R. Robinson, The Armour of Imperial Rome, London 1975, p. 8.
54 PIOTR LETKI

10 certified armour workshops, but it is not out of the question that they also
could appear in later period25.
The crucial moment in Roman armour industry was the period of tetrarchy.
Deployment on a large-scale of this branch of economy of ancient Rome took
place during the reign of emperor Diocletian26. Then, the number of fabricae
increased and all the armour production system was included by centralization
scheme, which was strictly concerned in administrative reorganization of
the province27. The emperor's activity is certified by written sources. Lactancius
ascribed to emperor the weapon factory creation in Nicomedia28, whereas
byzantine writer John Malalas mentioned about foundation of armour workshops
in Edessa, Damascus and three workshops in Antiochia29 by tetrarchy creator.
The period of regime conducted of Diocletian certify also weapon label
working in Egypt, and its creation was connected with the campaign against
usurper Lucius Domicius Domicianus30. Information mentioned above find
their verification only partly in Notitia Dignitatum. It names two not three

25
S. James, The Fabricae: State Arms Factories of the Later Roman Empire, in: Military
Equipment and the Identity of Roman Soldiers. Proceedings of the Fourth Roman Military
Equipment Conference, ed. J.C.N. Coulston, BAR International Series 394, Oxford 1988,
p. 265, note 99.
26
Z. Żygulski jun., op. cit., p. 118; H.R. Robinson, op. cit., p. 8; R. MacMullen, 1979,
p. 156–157 says that most of armour workshops appeared in last rule years of emperor
Constantine. See: Ph. Richardot, La fin de l’Armée romaine 284-476, 3e éd., Paris 2005, p. 237.
27
S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 265–266; M.C. Bishop, J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit., p. 238;
V. Neri, Manufaktury państwowe i wytwórczość prywatna w późnej starożytności, PH, 70,
1979, p. 1–2; P. Garnsey, C.R. Whittaker, Trade, Industry and the Urban Economy, CAH,
t. XIII: The Late Empire A.D. 337–425, ed. A. Cameron, P. Garnsey, Cambridge 1998, p. 313.
28
Lactancius, De Mortibus Persecutorum, in: Patrologia Latina, ed. J.P Migné, vol. 7,
1844, VII. 2: Hic basilicae, hic circus, hic moneta, hic armorum fabrica, hic uxori domus, hic
filiae; wyd. pol. Laktancjusz, Jak umierali prześladowcy, in: Pisma wybrane, trans. J. Czuj,
Poznań 1933 (Pisma Ojców Kościoła 16); W. Kuhoff, op. cit., S. 718.
29
Ioannes Malalae, Chronographia, ed. L. Dindorf, Bonn 1831, XII. 308: œktise dkaˆ
fabrik¦j tre‹j prÕj tÕ kataskeu£zesqai Ópla tù stratù, œktise dkaˆ ™n 'EdšsV
fabrik¦ di¦ tÕ t¦ Ópla ™ggÝj corhge‹sqai· æsaÚtwj dkaˆ ™n Damaskù œktise
fabrik£, ™nno»saj t¦j ™pidrom¦j tîn Sarakhnîn. œktise dkaˆ ™n 'Antioce…v
MÒnhtan, éste car£ssesqai ™ke‹ nom…smata· Ãn g¦r ¹ aÙt¾ MÒnhta ¢pÕ seismoà
katastrafe‹sa· kaˆ ¢neneèqh. œktise d kaˆ loutrÒn, Óper ™k£lese sugklhtikÒn,
Ðmo…wj d kaˆ ¥lla g loutr£; O. Seeck, Fabricenses, RE, VI. 2, col. 1925; P. Herz,
Fabrica, Fabricenses, NP, IV, col. 380; S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 259, 265; A.H.M. Jones,
The Later Roman Empire, vol. 1, p. 66; vol. 2, p. 834; R. MacMullen, Inscriptions on Armor
and the Supply of Arms in the Roman Empire, „American Journal of Archaeology”, 64, 1960,
p. 23–40 says that appearing of all mentioned by Malalas workshops was connected with
the danger from Persia.
Papyri from Panopolis in the Chester Beatty Library Dublin, ed. T.C. Skeat, Dublin
30

1964, I. 213–216, 314–346; S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 260; R. MacMullen, p. 156, note 23;
 THE STATE FACTORIES (FABRICAE) DURING THE TIME OF TETRARCHY 55

fabricae which function in Antiochia31, whereas there is lack of verification

of the armour workshop's existence in Egypt. Construction of weapon factory
in Nicomedia should be consider as an element of extension process of
city mentioned before, which was emperor's favourite residence. In similar
circumstances appeared weapon workshop in Tessalonica, chosen by Galerius as
a residence. From the strategic point of view the workshop construction in this
city was illogical, because it was widely apart from the country borders and it did
not have harbour until 314 A.D.32. Also in the case of Augustodunum, Sirmium,
Trier oraz Salona we can talk about similar circumstances of fabricae creation in
these urban centres33.
About the localization of weapon workshops within urban walls decided few
factors. Out of them those which were directly connected with military reality
of the 4th century come to the fore. Particular attention should be considerate
field army's creation fact, comitatenses, distributed along the country' borders,
but concentrated in depth of its territory, mainly near cities34. Essential, but not
crucial role in the choice of the place of state factor establishment construction
played also the access to natural materials, mainly iron ore35. Cities delivered
also other materials which were indispensable to the weapon production (wood,
leather), they also guaranteed access to road infrastructure, and let workshops'
workers to supply to food and clothing, but mainly they gave sense of security36.

T.D. Barnes, Imperial Campaigns AD 284-311, „Phoenix”, 30, 1976, p. 180–182.

31
ND, Or. XI. 21 (Scutaria et armorum), Or. XI. 22 (Clibanaria); A.H.M. Jones, The Later
Roman Empire, vol. 2, p. 835; S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 259–260 and note 38, 39 came
to conclusion that Malalas' note of three fabricae was caused by including into the working
group craftsmen (fabricenses) metal blacksmiths group label as barbaricarii.
32
Zosimos, Historia Nova, ed. L. Mendelssohn, Lipsiae 1887, II. 22; Zosimos, Nowa
historia, ed. H. Cichocka, and E. Wipszycka, Warszawa 1993; S. James, The Fabricae…,
p. 265. About weapon workshop in this city dip into: G. A. Sourhs, to Romaïko Ergostasio
opaon (fabrica) ths tessalonikhs. Mia nea epigrafh [Souris G., To romaïko ergostasio
oplon (fabrica) tes Thessalonikes: mia nea epigrafi], „Tekmeria”, 1, 1995, p. 66–79.
33
S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 265 and notes 109–111; M.C. Bishop, J.C.N. Coulston,
op. cit., p. 238.
34
V. Neri, op. cit., p. 2.
35
Codex Theodosiani libri XVI cum Constitutionibus Sirmondianis et leges novellae ad
Theodosianum pertinentes, ed. Th. Mommsen et P.M. Meyer, t. 1–2, Berolini 1954, 11. 20. 6:
…in praesentem diem qualitercumque relevata sunt vel adaerata levius vel de patrimoniali iure
ad privatam vel in aurariam aerariam atque ferrariam praestationem translata…; 10. 22. 2:
Omnibus fabricis non pecunias pro speciebus, sed ipsas species sine dilatione inferri…;
R. Grosse, op. cit., S. 102; O. Davies, Roman Mines in Europe, Oxford 1935, p. 170;
R.J. Forbes, Studies in Ancient Technology, vol. 9, Leiden 1972, p. 278; P. Herz, Fabrica,
Fabricenses, col. 381. Exception were e.g. armour workshops in Italia placed far away from
mines in Noricum.
56 PIOTR LETKI

On the territory of Roman Empire, according to information taken from

the Notitia Dignitatum, there were 35 armour workshops37, where 20 of them
were in the western38, and 15 in the eastern provinces39. Independence on the
kind of manufactured armaments, all fabricae armorum can be divided into two
basic groups, and what is more there can be observed some correctness in their
placement. Factories which produced weapon used by most soldiers (scutaria et
armorum) were placed steadily along eastern and northern borders of the country.
Whereas technical equipment labelled e.g. sagittaria (arrows) or arcuaria (bows),
were characterized by steady localization. Certainly, most factories were located
in areas, where main core of Roman army stationed, thus in eastern provinces
Imperium Romanum and along Rhine and Danube40. In each of the main near
borders sectors two armour workshops were working for army's needs, and it is
additionally proof to placement of farbricae on the strength of earlier accepted
plan41. Strategic nature ways caused that in Africa or Britain armour workshops
did not work. Despite rebellions and usurpation on these areas, their military
importance slid a lot and units of army which stationed there were only small part
of the whole Roman army42. In that situation there was no need to keep weapon
label in these part of the empire, because they could import them from companies
in northern Gaul.
Army units' demand for various kinds of arms was realized without major
problems. It was possible thanks to wide specialization of individual fabricae.
Taken into account terminology used in Notitia Dignitatum towards armour
works we can distinguish such types:
1. Arcuraria, workshop which produced bows. Notitia Dignitatum names
only one workshop of this kind, which functioned in Ticinum43. Its localization
on the West is quite interesting, taking into account that most archery Roman
army formations were placed in eastern provinces44. Their citizens used this

S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 267–268.

36

M. C. Bishop, J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit., p. 238; S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 257, 262;
37

A.H.M. Jones, The Later Roman Empire, vol. 2, p. 834; A. Demandt, Geschichte die Spätantike.
Das Römische Reich von Diocletian bis Justinian 284–565 n. Chr., München 2008, S. 207.
38
ND, Occ. IX. 16–39.
39
ND, Or. XI. 18–39.
40
A.D. Lee, Warfare and the State, CHGRW, vol. 2, p. 406.
41
P. Southern, K.R. Dixon, The Roman Cavalry. From the First to the Third Century AD,
London and New York, 1997, p. 90; S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 263; H. Elton, Warfare in
Roman Europe AD 350–425, Oxford 1996, p. 116.
42
O. Seeck, Fabricenses, RE, VI. 2, col. 1926; S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 263;
M.C. Bishop, J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit., p. 240.
43
ND, Occ. IX. 28.
44
ND, Or. I. 79–125; Occ. I. 84–121; Vegetius, II. 2, II. 15, II.17; D. Hoffmann, Das
spätrömische Bewegungsheer…, S.160–163, 210–211, 240–244, 264–265; M.C. Bishop,
 THE STATE FACTORIES (FABRICAE) DURING THE TIME OF TETRARCHY 57

weapon perfectly, it could go in tandem with its production and production of

crucial ammunition45. In such situation there was no need to open bows' factory
in this area. Whereas its workings on the West could be heard in the context of
the lack of archery tradition in this part of Empire46 and as an effect of production
centralization47.
2. Sagittariae,workshops which produced arrows. It was localized in
Concordia and Matisco48. They were the key complement of bows' production
system49. Coulston said that one of their main goal was to equip units of field army
localized in strategically convenient places50.
3. Ballistariae, factories which produced throwing machines. They
functioned in Augustodunum and Treberi51. Its localization in western part of
Imperium Romanum is still a matter of opinion52.
4. Scutariae factories which produced targets, they functioned in Cremona53,
Horrerum Margi, Augustodunum, Treberi, Aquincum, Carnuntum, Lauriacum54.
It is quite probable that three last fabricae were created on the basic of earlier

J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit., p. 205; K.R. Dixon, P. Southern, op. cit., p. 90.
45
S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 264 and note 90; J.C.N. Coulston, Roman Archery
Equipment, in: The Production and Distribution of Roman Military Equipment…, p. 259;
K.R. Dixon, P. Southern, op. cit., p. 116.
46
Good example of the lack of archery tradition in western provinces of Imperium
Romanum is cohors I miliaria Hemesenorum sagittariorum equitata, stationed in the 2nd
century by Danube, Syrian horse archery force, to which against the practice enlisted recruits
from Emesa region in Syria because local citizens could not use bows. See: C. Cichorius,
Cohors, RE, IV. 1, col. 295; C. Wells, Cesarstwo rzymskie, Warszawa 2005, s. 196, 282.
47
S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 264; C. Wells, op. cit., p. 155.
48
ND, Occ. IX. 24 (Concordia), IX. 32 (Matisco); CIL V 8721, 8742, 8754, 8757.
49
O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col. 1926; R. Grosse, op. cit., S. 101, note 1.
50
J.C.N. Coulston, Roman Archery Equipment, p. 259.
51
ND. Occ. IX. 33, IX. 38; A.H. M. Jones, The Later Roman Empire, vol. 2, p. 834;
O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col. 1926 and H.R. Robinson, op. cit., p. 8 to that group they also
caunted factory in Salona.
52
S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 265: Why artillery fabricae occur only in the West is
a mystery.
53
ND, Occ. IX. 24 (Cremona); Ammianus Marcellinus, Römische Geschichte, ed.
W. Seyfarth, t. 1–4, Berlin 1968-1971, XV. 5. 9; wyd. pol. Dzieje rzymskie, oprac. I.
Lewandowski, t. 1–2, Warszawa 2001.
54
ND, Or. XI. 39 (Horreum Margi); Occ. IX. 19 (Aquincum), IX. 20 (Carnuntum),
IX. 21 (Lauriacum), IX. 33 (Augustodunum), IX. 37 (Treberi); O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col.
1926; R. Grosse, op. cit., S. 101; M.C. Bishop, J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit., p. 238; A.H.M. Jones,
The Later Roman Empire, vol. 2, p. 834; Z. Żygulski jun., op. cit., p. 118; H.R. Robinson,
op. cit., p. 8 mentioned also fabricae in Suessiones, Edessa and Ambianensis. Grosse, Bishop
58 PIOTR LETKI

state factors which functioned in legion camp55. Each Roman province localized
by Rhine and Danube had its own factory, responsible for equip of each concrete
area with weapon56.
5. Spathariae, factories which produced swords. We can find such factories
in Luca, Remi57 i Ambianensis58.
6. Hastaria, factory in Irenopolis Ciliciae, equiped army with spears59.
7. Scordiscoria, factory which functioned in Sirmium and produced saddles
for horse army60.
8. Clibanariae; workshops which produced equipment used by heavy
cavalry. Localization of cataphractii and clibanarii formations in provinces was
strictly concerned in localization of individual fabricae which equipped them
with weapon. Three out of four mentioned in Notitia Dignitatum workshops
worked in the East of the country61, where major part of armoured ride
stationed62. In western part of Empire there is one fabrice clibanaria certified,
functioned in Augustodunum63.
9. Loricariae; in James' opinion, workshops in Mantua and Augustodunum
produced armours for pedestrian and cushy ride unions armies64. What is also
crucial, is the fact that in western part of Imperium Romanum armours and
swords were produced in individual fabricae, while workshops localized along
Danube and in the eastern provinces dealt with production at the same time.

and Coulston do not define kind of weapon produced in first of these factories.
55
S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 265.
56
S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 264 and note 86.
57
ND, Occ. IX. 26 (Luca), IX. 36 (Remi); Z. Żygulski jun., op. cit., p. 118; A.H.M. Jones,
The Later Roman Empire, vol. 2, p. 834; O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col. 1926; H.R. Robinson,
op. cit., p. 8 describes the workshop in Renia weapon decoration.
58
ND, Occ. IX. 39; H.R. Robinson, op. cit., p. 8; R. Grosse, op. cit., S. 101; M.C. Bishop,
J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit., p. 238 do not mention in this workshop just like Seeck.
59
H.R. Robinson, op. cit., p. 8; R. Grosse, op. cit., S. 100; A.H.M. Jones, The Later Roman
Empire, vol. 2, p. 834; O. Seeck, col. 1926.
60
ND, Occ. IX. 18; M. C. Bishop, J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit., p. 239; R. Grosse, op. cit.,
S. 101; O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col. 1927; H.R. Robinson, op. cit., p. 8.
61
ND, Or. XI. 22; Ammianus Marcellinus, XIV. 7. 18, CTh, 7. 8. 8 (Antiochia), XI. 26
(Caesarea Cappadociae), XI. 28 (Nicomedia)
62
S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 261 and note 62, 63; M. Mielczarek, Cataphracti and
Clibanarii. Studies on the Heavy Armoured Cavalry of the Ancient World, Łódź 1993,
p. 76–77; M.C. Bishop, J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit., p. 240; P. Southern, K.R. Dixon, op. cit., p. 90.
63
ND, Occ. IX. 33; A.H.M. Jones, The Later Roman Empire, vol. 2, p. 834.
64
ND, Occ. IX. 26 (Mantua), Occ. IX. 33 (Augustodunum); S. James, The Fabricae…,
 THE STATE FACTORIES (FABRICAE) DURING THE TIME OF TETRARCHY 59

10. Armorum; it does not mean workshops which produced offensive

weapon as Seeck65 wanted, because Latin term arma was used for the whole
military kit, and in its stock were: helmet, shield and weapon, except missile
weapon covered up with the name tela66.
What is more, targets were cut off from arms set, what suggests the use of
scutaria et armorum in the context of workshops which produced them mainly
in the East67.
11. Armamentaria; in opinion of the group of historians, was an armour
workshop which entered in Notitia Dignitatum in Edessa68. It produced martial
equipment for ships69. There is lack of evidence as far as the Roman navy
on Euphrates at this time70 and that is why more realistic is using the term
armamentaria for weapon stock, arsenal71. About building fabrica in Edessa
wrote Malalas, who says that it was created to deliver arms72, mainly for units of
army working against Persia73. Taking into account that full name of workshop
in this city is fabrica scutaria et armamentaria, we can deduce that within
walls targets factory was working together with different kind of weapon store,
which were not produced on the spot74.
Activity of fabricae armorum, which produced armaments mainly for
national army demanded to subject them to strict control from the civil service.

p. 261. Robinson, Grosse and Seeck ascribe these workshops production of leather armour, but
there is lack of evidences using this protective arms in described time.
65
O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col. 1927.
66
S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 261.
67
ND, Or. XI. 20 (Damascus), XI. 21 (Antiochia), XI. 27 (Nicomedia), XI. 30 (Sardis),
XI. 32; Ammianus Marcellinus, XXXI. 6. 2 (Hadrianopolis), XI. 34 (Marcianopolis);
Occ. IX. 25 (Verona); R. Grosse, op. cit., S. 100–101; O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col. 1927;
H.R. Robinson, op. cit., p. 8; M.C. Bishop, J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit., p. 239. S. James,
The Fabricae…, p. 262, note 75 suggested that to this kind of workshops could be included
also factories in Tessalonica (Or. XI. 36) and Naissus (Or. XI. 37).
68
ND, Or. XI. 23.
69
O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col. 1926; R. Grosse, op. cit., S. 76, 100; H.R. Robinson,
op. cit., p. 8
70
H.D.L. Viereck, Die römische Flotte. Classis Romana, Herford 1975, S. 258; R. Grosse,
op. cit., S. 75–76.
71
Tacitus, Historiae, I. 38: Aperire deinde armamentarium iussit. Rapta statim arma,
sine more et ordine militiae, ut praetorianus aut legionarius insignibus suis distingueretur…;
O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col. 1925; M.C. Bishop, J.C.N. Coulston, op. cit., p. 263-266.
72
Malalas, Chron., XII. 307. About Edessa's role in Rome and Persia wars see: S.K. Ross,
Roman Edessa. Politics and Culture on the Eastern Fringes of the Roman Empire (114–242
C.E.), London 2001; E. Kirsten, Edessa. Eine römische Grenzstadt des 4. bis 6. Jahrhunderts
im Orient, JbAC, 6, 1963, S. 144–172.
60 PIOTR LETKI

In the period of Principate person who was responsible for weapon workshops
was praefectus castrorum75, and in administrative aspects helped him officium76.
Among the members of this group called immunes77 and reported to camp
prefect, the oldest in the hierarchy was optio fabricae78. Although its status is
not synonymous, it is most probable that it was the one directly responsible for
weapon workshops79. In Vegetius work we can read that control over craftsmen
who produced the weapon had craftsmen camp prefect, praefectus fabrum80. Since

73
R. MacMullen, Inscriptions on Armor…, p. 29.
74
S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 262.
75
Vegetius, II. 10; W. Ensslin, Praefectus castrorum, RE, XXII. 2, col. 1285–1290; A. von.
Domaszewski, Die Rangordnung des Römischen Heeres, Bonn 1908, S. 119–120; H.D.M.
Parker, The Roman Legions, New York 1993, p. 191–193; L. Keppie, op. cit., p. 176–177;
G. Webster, op. cit., p. 113; G.R. Watson, op. cit., p. 85; Y. Le Bohec, The Roman Imperial
Army, p. 38-39, 42-44, 52; M.C. Bishop, The Military Fabrica…, p. 11.
76
A.E.R. Boak, Officium, RE, XVII. 2, col. 2047-2056; A. von. Domaszewski, Die
Rangordnung…, S. 40, 48; G.R. Watson, op. cit., p. 85; M.C. Bishop, The Military Fabrica…,
p. 11, Y. Le Bohec, The Roman Imperial Army, p. 54–55; A. Goldsworthy, The Complete
Roman Army, p. 145–146.
77
Iustiniani Digesta, in: Corpus Iuris Civilis, recognovit Th. Mommsen, retractavit
P. Krueger, t. 1, Berlin 1954, 50. 6. 7: Quibusdam aliquam vacationem munerum graviorum
condicio tribuit, ut sunt mensores, optio valetudinarii, medici, capsarii, et artifices et qui
fossam faciunt, veterinarii, architectus, gubernatores, naupegi, ballistrarii, specularii, fabri,
sagittarii, aerarii, bucularum structores, carpentarii, scandularii, gladiatores, aquilices,
tubarii, cornuarii, arcuarii, plumbarii, ferrarii, lapidarii, et hi qui calcem cocunt, et qui
silvam infindunt, qui carbonem caedunt ac torrent. in eodem numero haberi solent lani,
venatores, victimarii, et optio fabricae, et qui aegris praesto sunt, librarii quoque qui docere
possint, et horreorum librarii, et librarii depositorum, et librarii caducorum, et adiutores
corniculariorum, et stratores, et polliones, et custodes armorum, et praeco, et bucinator.
hi igitur omnes inter immunes habentur; A. von. Domaszewski, Die Rangordnung…, p. 5;
G. Webster, op. cit., p. 118–120; D.J. Breeze, The Organisation of the Career Structure of
the Immunes and Principales of the Roman Army, BJ, 174, 1974, p. 245–292.
78
O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col. 1925; A. von. Domaszewski, Die Rangordnung…, S. 46;
R. Grosse, op. cit., S. 98; R. MacMullen, Inscriptions on Armor…, p. 28, note 49; D.J. Breeze,
A Note of the Use of the Titles Opito and Magister below the Centurionate during
the Principate, „Britannia”, 7, 1976, p. 128.
79
M.C. Bishop, The Military Fabrica…, p. 11. D.J. Breeze, A Note of the Use…, p. 132.
80
Vegetius, II. 11: Horum iudex proprius erat praefectus fabrum; E. Kornemann, Fabri,
RE, VI. 2, col. 1888–1925, especially 1918–1925; E. Sander, Der praefectus fabrum und die
Legionsfabriken, BJ, 162, 1962, S. 139–161; B. Dobson, The Praefectus Fabrum in the Early
Principate, in: Britain and Rome. Studies in Honour of E. Birley, ed. M.G. Jarrett, B. Dobson,
Kendal 1965, p. 61–84; D.B. Saddington, Praefecti Fabrum of the Julio-Claudian Period, in:
Römische Geschichte. Altertumskunde und Epigraphik. Festschrift Artur Betz zur Vollendung
 THE STATE FACTORIES (FABRICAE) DURING THE TIME OF TETRARCHY 61

the period of late Republic till the emperor Claudius, this officer was adjutant of
main army commander81. In later period, tenure had only an honour meaning82
and it could be the first step into taking over the camp perfect 83 position or one of
the carrier stage of equites state member.
Administrative changes in management fabricae armorum took place in
the tetrarchy period and they were strictly combined with administrative and
military systems transformation Imperium Romanum. In effect of these changes,
military workshops were controlled by perfect praetorio84. In Jones' opinion at
the forefront of each armour workshops was a clerk with the title praepositus,
strictly reported to prefect85. From the last years of Diocletian rules, we know Attius
Insteius Tertullus86 who was e.g. prepositus, but his role in weapon workshops
is arguable. Doubts are caused mainly by title of his position, because from
the inscription we cannot unanimously say if he managed only one workshop as
praepositus fabrica87, or maybe few, cradling the title of praepositus fabricarum88.

seines 80. Lebensjahres, ed. E. Weber, G. Dobesch, Wien 1985, S. 529–546; K. Welch,
The Office of Praefectus Fabrum in the Late Republic, „Chiron”, 25,1995, p. 131–145; E. Badian,
Notes on a Recent List of Praefecti fabrum under the Republic, „Chiron”, 27, 1997, p. 1–19.
81
A. von. Domaszewski, Die Rangordnung…, S. 120; L. Keppie, op. cit., p. 178.
82
E. Kornemann, Fabri, col. 1922; C. Wells, op. cit., p. 114, note 42; M.C. Bishop,
The Military Fabrica…, p. 2; B. Dobson, The Praefectus Fabrum…, p. 62-63.
83
CIL IX 3669: L. Octavius N. f. Ser(gia) Balbus praef(ectus) fabr(um), praef(ectus)
castror(um), prim(i)pil(us); AE, 1913, 215: L. Decrius L. f. Ser. Longinus praef(ectus)
fabr(um),leg(ionis) II Aug(ustae) et VII Gemin(ae) bis et XXII Deiotaran(ae), p(rimus)
p(ilus) leg(ionis) eiusdem, praef(ectus) castror(um) leg(ionis) VIIII Hisp(anae)…; B. Dobson,
The Significance of the Centurion and Primipilaris in the Roman Army and Administration,
ANRW, II. 1, Berlin 1974, p. 419, note 118; E. Birley, The Orgins of Legionary Centurions,
in: The Roman Army. Papers 1929-1986, p. 196; A.R. Birley, Officers of the Second Augustan
Legion in Britain, in: The Second Augustan Legion and the Roman Military Machine, ed.
R.J. Brewer, Cardiff 2002, p. 119.
84
CTh, 10. 22. 2; O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col. 1928; P. Herz, Fabrica, Fabricenses, col. 380;
W. Ensslin, Praefectus praetorio, RE, XXII. 2, col. 2391–2502; M.M. Morciano, Praefectus
praetorio, NP, X, col. 249-252; A.H.M. Jones, The Later Roman Empire, vol. 1, p. 66, 101,
161; vol. 2, p. 834; S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 290.
85
P. Kehne, War and Peacetime Logistic: Supplying Imperial Armies in East and West,
CRA, p. 327; A.H.M. Jones, The Later Roman Empire, vol. 1, p. 66.
86
CIL VI 1696: [Inlu]stri viro et omnium retro praefecto[rum i]ndustriam supergresso Attio
Insteio Tertullo, [quaestori k(andidato)] praetori k(andidato) consuli, correctori [Venetiae et
Hist]riae, praeposito fabri[cae quas praefectus ur]bis Romae…; PLRE I, p. 883 (Tertullus
6); W. Kuhoff, op. cit., S. 355; T.D. Barnes, The New Empire of Diocletian and Constantine,
p. 161; A. Chastagnol, Les Fastes de la Préfecture de Rome au Bas Empire, Paris 1962,
p. 48–49; J. Curran, Pagan City and Christian Capital. Rome in the Fourth Century, Oxford
62 PIOTR LETKI

It is not also out of the question that the position entrusted to Tertullus was created
mainly for him, and got a task to build new weapon workshops89. Mentioned
offices appear also in the context of taking the control over all national fabricae, by
tenured person. He tenured instead of prefect praetorio, till the moment of taking
the throne by emperor Constantine, or till the time of devolution of jurisdiction
over the workshops to master officiorum90. Although we cannot exclude such
possibility, researchers think that more probable is the fact that the supervisor
over armour workshops was under prefect control till the moment of sharing his
competence between mansion clerks91. The final control over armour works was
in master's officiorum92 hands, but the moment of devolution this competence
is identified. Some group of researchers do not accept that it has happened just
after the creation of this state 93 and they rather indicate for later period. Jones
said, it was between 388 A.D. And 390 A. D., when fabricae had been steered by
master officiorum94. Similar opinion formulated Boak and MacMullen, pointed on
the strength of Theodosian Code to 390 A.D. From this year we have dated first
undeniable evidences of workshops direction by this high rank clerk95. Waltzig,
on the strength of information from John Lydus work about circumstances of
prefect pretorio Rufinus disposal96, accepted that devolution over fabricae into

2000, p. 58.
87
R. MacMullen, Inscriptions on Armor…, p. 31.
88
A.E.R. Boak, The Master of the Offices…, p. 86; O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col. 1928.
89
S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 290.
90
O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col. 1928.
91
Zosimos, II. 33; Ioannes Lydus, De Magistratibus Populi Romani libri tres, ed.
R. Wuensch, Lipsiae 1903, II. 10, III. 40; S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 290; Sz. Olszaniec,
Comites Consistoriani w wieku IV. Studium prosopograficzne elity dworskiej Cesarstwa
Rzymskiego 320-395 n.e., Toruń 2007, p. 31.
92
ND, Or. XI. 44; Occ. IX. 43; A.E.R. Boak, The Master of the Offices…, p. 34; S. James,
The Fabricae…, p. 273, 290.
93
O. Seeck, Fabricenses, col. 1928; R. Grosse, op. cit., S. 104.
94
A.H.M. Jones, The Later Roman Empire, vol. 1, p. 161, 369.
95
CTh, 10. 22.3; A.E.R. Boak, The Master of the Offices…, p. 86–89; R, MacMullen,
Inscriptions on Armor…, p. 32; S. James, The Fabricae…, p. 290–291; M. Clauss, Der
Magister Officiorum in der Spätantike (4.-6. Jahrhundert). Das Amt und sein Einfluß auf die
kaiserliche Politik, Münchem 1980, S. 51–54; Sz. Olszaniec, op. cit., p. 457 and note 550.
96
Ioannes Lydus, De Magistratibus, II. 10; III. 40: diesÚrh d oÙdn Âtton qanatîsa
kaq' ˜k£sthn ¹ tÁj ¢rcÁj dunaste…a ¥cri tÁj 'Arkad…ou, toà patrÕj Qeodos…ou toà
Nšou, basile…aj· ™f' oá sumbšbhken `Rouf‹non tÕn ™p…klhn ¢kÒreston, Öj Ãn Ûparcoj
aÙtù, turann…da melet»santa toà mn skopoà Øpr lusitele…aj tîn koinîn ™kpese‹n,
e„j b£raqron d' ¢canj t¾n ¢rc¾n katarr‹yai. aÙt…ka mn g¦r Ð basileÝj tÁj ™k
 THE STATE FACTORIES (FABRICAE) DURING THE TIME OF TETRARCHY 63

master's officiorum hands took place in 396 A.D.97. Whereas James reffered to
information from Ammianus Marcellinus98 magister officiorum watcher over
armour workshops through his subordinates99 in the first half of 4th century, and
appropriate competence in this issue he obtained earlier with vocation of this
office100.
Taking into account the circumstances of taking over the authority
by first Christian Emperor, James's hypothesis based on earlier Seeck and
Grosse's researches in my opinion seem to be most probable. The international
dismemberment of prefecture which was the main motive of country administrative
made by Constantine. This process created a perfect moment to devolution over
fabricae to new vocation clerk, who was magister officiorum. This moment we
can explain by willingness of consolidation gained by the Emperor position
through surrounding of trustworthy collaborators, who taking the control over
most important elements of the country. These elements were mainly army and
administration. Supervision over those two “force resorts” let to lead in new order
in the country. It was the foundation of the next new Imperium Romanum rules.
Creation of armour workshops system, being under civil servants control
allowed to coordinate actions which main goal was to deliver weapon to units
placed in individual Empire provinces. Essential meaning was also the fact that
independently of working place of fabricae each of them exclusive of workshops of
specific weapon e.g. for heavy armed ride units, produced equipment used by most
part of army. From the logistic point of view uniform soldiers equipment allowed
to avoid difficulties, which appeared with the necessity of provision different
kinds of weapon. What is more identical equipment was the recognizable sign of
the army, which gave the feeling of belonging to the particular working group.
Monolithic armour, produced on a large-scale, allowed also to avoid problems
connected with technical progress and changes in martial craft. Introduction
of new kind of weapon to common use took effect in changing workshops into
production which was in line with orthodox standards.

tîn Óplwn „scÚoj ¢faire‹tai t¾n ¢rc»n, eta tÁj tîn legomšnwn fabrikîn, oŒon
e„ Ðplopoiïîn, ™xous…aj, tÁj <te> toà dhmos…ou drÒmou front…doj kaˆ tÁj ˜tšraj
aÙqent…aj di' ïn tÕ legÒmenon sunšsth magistšrion. More details about Rufin see: PLRE
I, p. 778-781 (Rufinus 18); Sz. Olszaniec, op. cit., p. 454–466.
97
J.P. Waltzing, Étude historique sur le corporations professionelles chez le Romains
depuis le origines jusqu’a la chute de l’Empire d’Occident, t. 1, Louvain 1895, p. 241.
98
Ammianus Marcellinus, XV. 5. 12–14.
99
Master's officiorum subordinates about who Ammianus is writing was Florentius,
tenuring since 355 A.D. agens pro magistro officiorum. See: PLRE I, p. 363 (Florentius 3);
Sz. Olszaniec, op. cit., p. 404–407. What is more clerks fabricae: S. James, The Fabricae…,
p. 273–274.
64 PIOTR LETKI

Taking into account changes which took place in Roman soldiers armaments
in the turn of 3rd and 4th century, this system allowed to mildly fluently meet new
challenges of the battleground.

Translated by Beata Nowak

Warsztaty zbrojeniowe (fabricae) czasów tetrarchii

Streszczenie

Artykuł opisuje państwowy system warsztatów zbrojeniowych (fabricae) funkcjonujących

w czasach tetrarchii. Przedstawia ich lokalizację i jej uwarunkowania, pokrótce charakteryzuje
poszczególne typy zakładów produkujących broń, omawia ich znaczenie dla przemian w rzymskim
systemie wojskowym, jakie zaszły na przełomie III i IV wieku n.e. Poruszona została również
kwestia nadzoru administracyjnego nad fabricae w tym okresie.

Abbreviations:
ANRW Aufstieg und Niedergang der Römischen Welt
BJ Bonner Jahrbücher
CAH The Cambridge Ancient History
CHGRW The Cambridge History of Greek and Roman Warfare
CIL Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum
CRA A Companion to the Roman Army
CTh Codex Theodosianus
JbAC Jahrbuch für Antike und Christentum
JRMES Journal of Roman Military Equipment Studies
JRS Journal of Roman Studies
ND Notitia Dignitatum
NP Der Neue Pauly Enzyklopädie der Antike
PH Przegląd Historyczny
RE Paulys Realencyclopädie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft