Original research article
Palamedes

Where did the Third Legion of Augustan Egypt Have its Base?

2014/2015, Tom 9/10

Tomasz Derda

0000-0002-1419-9650

University of Warsaw, Faculty of Archaeology, Department of Epigraphy and Papyrology

Adam Łajtar

0000-0003-3842-2180

University of Warsaw, Faculty of Archaeology, Department of Epigraphy and Papyrology

Tomasz Płóciennik

0000-0002-4120-9877

University of Warsaw, Faculty of Archaeology, Department of Epigraphy and Papyrology

Publication date

26.09.2026

Publishing model

open access

License type

CC BY 4.0 Int.

Field

Humanities

Discipline

history

Language of publication

English

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PDF 287 KB

Article

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Abstract

The scientific article analyzes a historical mystery regarding the stationing place of the third Roman legion in Egypt during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Based on newly examined papyri from Qasr Ibrim, the authors challenge the previous theory locating the base in Thebes and demonstrate that it was stationed in the strategically located Koptos.

Keywords:

Egypt,emperor Augustus,Roman legion,Koptos,papyrology,stationing of Roman troops,Qasr Ibrim papyri