Thracians at War. The Bar-Kochba Revolt Reflected in the Military Diplomas from the Balkan Province

Soldiers recruited from Balkan provinces (especially from Moesia Inferior and/or Thracia) and from the rural areas of these provinces are increasingly found in epigraphic sources (especially military diplomas) in recent decades. Dan Dana and Florian Matei-Popescu identified the main moments of enlistment for the Dacians mentioned in the military diplomas. The analysis of soldiers recruited from the rural areas of Moesia Inferior and/or Thrace revealed the same moments of enlistment, but I identified more such periods. One of them is the Roman suppression of the Bar-Kochba revolt in Judea. The Bar-Kochba revolt was mentioned not only in literary sources, but also indirectly in military diplomas. The constitutiones issued in 157–160 provides a high number of troops involved in this condflict. I noticed that on several occasions both for legions and for auxilia, the Bar-Kochba revolt was an important moment for recruiting soldiers from the regions inhabited by Thracians. I will present the detailed analysis of the epigraphic record of these enlistments, and the light they shed on the soldiers. Did they return home after discharge or did they stay in other provinces? And why did they choose one of these alternatives?