Praesidium
PRAESI´DIUM the name of several fortified places established by the Romans.
1.In Lusitania, on the Douro. (Itin. Ant. p. 428.)
2.In Baetica, on the road from the mouth of the Anas to Emerita (Ib. 431); thought by some to be S. Lucar de Guadiana.
3.In Gallaecia, not far from the Douro. (Ib. 422.)
4.In Britannia Romana, in the territory of the Cornavii (Not. Imp. ), supposed to be Warwick. (Camden, p. 602.) [T.H.D]
PRAESI´DIUM a military post on the Greater Syrtis, between Tagulae or Tugulae (Kasr-el-Atech) and Ad Turrem. (Peut. Tab. ) The result of Barth's (Wanderungen, pp. 372--377) laborious researches upon the ancient topography of the Great Syrtis, is to place this station at Jehudîa, where there are remains of antiquity.
[E.B.J]PRAESIDIUM [TARICHIAE.]
A fortress on the limes Arabiae, 22.4 km NE of Aila on the Via Nova Traiana in the wadi Yitm. In the 4th c. A.D. the Cohors IV Frigium was stationed here (Not. Dig. 74.41). In a surface survey, remains of a trapezoidal, irregularly shaped fortress, with round towers and rooms inside its walls, were observed. On account of the numerous Nabatean sherds found here, it has been suggested that a Nabatean occupation preceded the Roman and Byzantine ones.
BIBLIOGRAPHYH. Vincent, RB 41 (1932) 594-95; A. Alt, ZDPV 58 (1935) 27-28; N. Glueck, AASOR 15 (1935) 54; 18-19 (1939).
A. NEGEVA fortress along the inner line of the fortifications of the limes Arabiae, bordering the Arabah, S of the Dead Sea. In the 4th c. A.D. the ala II Felix Valentiniana was stationed here (Not. Dig. 73.35). In surface surveys remains of a building 75 m square, of mud brick on stone foundations, were recorded. On account of the Nabatean-Roman pottery, a Nabatean origin for this fortress has been suggested.
BIBLIOGRAPHYF. Frank, ZDPV 57 (1934) 210-11; A. Alt, ibid., 58 (1935) 6-9; N. Glueck, AASOR 15 (1935) 9-10; 18-19 (1939) 147-49.
A. NEGEV