Army and Economy. The Role of the Legion XI Claudia in the Economic Development of Durostorum (2nd – 3rd C. AD)

This article examines the role of the Legion XI Claudia in the development of agriculture in Durostorum in the 2nd-3rd century. To determine its impact, the minimum grain requirements of the legion as well as the civilian population are calculated. On the basis of these data, and at a given yield kg/ha, an attempt is made to calculate the amount of arable land required, and the number of people engaged in feeding the military and civilian population. The proposed calculations show that about 1, 550 tons of grain were needed to supply the grain requirements of the fighting personnel of the XI Claudian Legion (5,240 men) alone for a year, and an additional 241 tons if the quantities for the legion's servants (819 men) were added. Additional quantities of grain must also be provided for the civilian population of Durostorum - over 1,300 or 1,900 tons of grain. Based on these data and with a wheat yield of 385 kg/ha, between 8,000-9 600 ha of land were needed to feed the military and civilian population of Durostorum, and probably as much more set aside. These lands can be cultivated by 1 340-1 600 people.