The arms and equipment of Roman vigiles or urban cohorts?

[mr ed]

Exception proves the rule.

No, you're right, didn't think of that. However, like you said, these were either urban cohorts (i.e. from Rome) sent abroad or troops raised for a specific purpose. They're mentioned in our sources (Suetonius?) likely because their deployment was an extraordinary measure. Also Lyon was deemed a "second Rome", site of an important imperial mint, while Carthage was the hub for grain supply from North Africa – other provincial cities were less likely to get that kind of attention.

Nit-picking apart, still recommend using militia-type figures for police actions across the Roman Empire. Be they urban cohorts, praetorians, beneficiarii, equites/pedites singulares, you name it.

Agreed on all points. I’m not sure on the source though, I think it could be epitaphs.

[WuZhuiQiu]

@Mad Doc Morris

Policing the Roman Empire: Soldiers, Administration, and Public Order

Thanks for the reference! I think that I might have come across it in a web search, but will now look for a copy...