This five-hundred strong infantry unit was recruited from the Delmatae tribesmen inhabiting the Adriatic coast of modern Croatia. This regiment is attested on a number of inscriptions at High Rochester in Northumberland, forward of Hadrian’s Wall, two of them dated to the reign of Antoninus Pius in the period 138-61AD, although the unit is well attested in the fort at Maryport in Cumbria during the same period. It is possible that a tombstone recovered from the High Rochester fort may instead be attributed to Cohors I Dacorum.
Evidence for the presence of Cohors Primae Delmatarum in Britain
- Military Diplomata 122AD
- Cil Vii.1195 privilegia militvm; dated: September 16th 124AD.
- L’Année Épigraphique 1997.1001 diploma dated 27th February 158AD.
- Chesters (RIB 1496a).
- Maryport (RIB 810 altar; 847 altar; 831 altar 138-161AD; 850 138-161AD).
- High Rochester (RIB 1289 tombstone poss. Coh I Dacorum).