| Summary: | This thesis examines the Urban cohorts, part of the Rome garrison under the Roman Empire, and explores the genesis of the corps as well as their history and role throughout successive dynasties. Chapter 1 describes the Urban prefecture and the creation of the permanent Urban prefecture, as one of the Augustan reforms related to the Urban cohorts. As a whole, this work will encompass the history of the Urban cohorts from their inception under Augustus to their disappearance/probable demise in the early 4th century under Constantine the Great in chapters 2 and 4-7. Chapter 3, follows chapter 2 (the Augustan and Tiberian Urban cohorts) with a discussion on the organisation ofthe corps. Chapter 8 examines the creation and deployment of two Urban cohorts from Rome to the provinces (Gaul and Africa). A discussion of the recruitment patterns and role of the Urban cohorts follows this chapter and examines the recruitment of the Urban cohorts before and after the Severan period when major changes took place in the Rome garrison during the 3rd century. Throughout the thesis, 'there will be a re-examination of previous arguments about the corps as well as are-appraisal of their role within the city of Rome and the role they may have played within Imperial politics. The evidence comprises both epigraphic and literary materials and have been used to elucidate matters of organisation and the role ofthe Urban cohorts. The thesis will contain an epigraphic commentary that updates the existing corpus of epigraphic material and a short section on the equipment of the Urban cohorts.
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