Stefan Zehetner

The diploma thesis: "Der Signifer. Stellung und Aufgaben in der kaiserzeitlichen Armee" is engaged on closer examination of the military rank of signifer. The paper is divided in three parts. Part I takes a look at the positioning of the signifer in the ranks of the roman military and the ranking system itself. In part II the duties of signiferi are examined. Therefor terms like depositum and fiscus are on closer inspection for the pay of roman soldiers. Part III finaly is engaged in the depicts of signiferi and the signa.

Centurions in legions were advancing through ranks, which were indicated by the cohort and the maniple they were serving in. But how did they exactly move through these ranks? How were the primi ordines fitting into the ranking system? How did a centurion advance to the rank of primus pilus? All these questions seem to be clear, but have not yet been considered in an exact manner. Alfred von Domaszewski and Brian Dobson have already made first attempts to show the advancing through the ranks of the centurions. There were very good approaches, but there have arisen new findings, that enhance these considerations. Cohort and maniple still are important to reach the top levels of centurion-ship. But there is also the centuria, which is not unimportant, especially in relation to the prior and posterior rankings. It is these facts, that make us an exact statement about the primi ordines and the advancement to primus pilus.

A view on the Roman cavalry Forces, especially the equites legionis. The article describes a possible organizational chart of the legionary cavalry Formation in imperial times. By analyzing Primary sources the organization, command and Manpower of the equites legionis will be described in a new manner.

There is also given a view on auxiliary cavalry organization and command to demonstrate differences between auxiliary cavalry, legionary horsemen and equites singuläres Augusti.

As Primary sources often times contradict each other and epigraphy or papyrology only can give snapshots of situations, it is not an easy work to take a look on the legionary cavalry in Roman imperial times. But combining all sources given a proper view on the subject and so this article will give a new examination. Because of the discrepanscies, which already are given by Primary sources the article only can be a try to open more discussions in this Special subject.

The Roman army was the most modern, up-to-date military service in ancient times. The organization, tactics, strategies and technologies were exemplary to most modern military structures, including present-day armies. But the Roman military was not only a simple fighting unit. As the first professional army in history it was, of course, in charge of the imperial security. But it was also responsible for the Empire's infrastructural development. In times of peace the soldier was employed in many different professional branches. There were many young men, who brought their professions to their new garrisons and the army allowed them to carry their jobs out and also gave them the right to execute these in their lives after their military service. Engineers, technicians and artisans not only manned and serviced artillery batteries but also were busy with roadmaking and building technologies. Medical corpsmen took care for the health of military comrades, their relatives and even civil personnel. Educated writers served in the governor's office and administrated the province as a kind of civil service. For each professional branch the best and most capable personnel was recruited by the Roman military. Soldiers, who not only brought in their special knowledge but also were able to expand this knowledge during their term of service.

Ensigns are seen in military units to date. Even though in this day the colour sergeants carry these in ceremonial occasions only, threir ranks are some of the oldest military functions, which were already used in ancient armies. The Signifer in the Roman army was much more than a simple colour sergeant. Although he carried the ensign into battle and defended it in a life-to-death struggle, acted as an ideal to other soldiers and was tasked with battlefield communications, he also was in charge of pay and savings of his comrades. An assignment, which was delivered to the rank by the times of the transition from a mercennary militia to a professional Roman army.
This book takes a closser look to the military function of Signifer and his positioning in the Roman army's rank structure. With the help of ancient epigraphical and papyrological resources it also examines the Signifer's duties as a bailiff of pay and savings. The book therefore is limited to the times of Roman emperors until the mid third century AD.

Schulung und Vortrag im Rahmen der KulturvermittlerInnenausbildung in der Region Bucklige Welt - Wechselland für die Niederösterreichische Landesausstellung 2019 in Wiener Neustadt.
Themen: Ur- und Frühgeschichte, Archäologie, Antike Geschichte, Keltologie, Völkerwanderung, Früh- und Hochmittelalter, 18. und 19. Jahrhundert (Bourbonen, Erzherzog Johann, Wildensteiner Ritterschaft auf Blauer Erde)

Ein Vortrag zur Geschichte der Gemeinde Hochwolkersdorf und deren umgebende Region Bucklige Welt im Rahmen der Jungbürgerfeier am 26.10.2015.
Von den Siedlungen der Jungsteinzeit über die Römerstraßen zur erstmaligen urkundlichen Erwähnung und zum Ereignis, welches Hochwolkersdorf zum Geburtsort der Zweiten Republik machte.

Eine Sonderausstellung zum Gedenkjahr 2015. Siebzig Jahre Kriegsende bedeuten siebzig Jahre leben in Frieden und Freiheit.
Zeitzeugenberichte aus der Region Bucklige Welt stellen einen Teil der Sonderausstellung dar. Die einzigartigen Kontakte der Organisatoren zum Russischen Kriegsarchiv sowie zum Russischen Staatsarchiv geben Einblick in die militärische Situation in den April- und Maitagen 1945 in der Buckligen Welt während der "Wiener Operation" der sowjetischen Streitkräfte. Die Originaldokumente der Korrespondenz zwischen Josef Stalin und Dr. Karl Renner, die durch den Leiter des Russischen Staatsarchivs für Soziale und Politische Geschichte, Andrey Sorokin, Persönlich nach Hochwolkersdorf, in den Geburtsort der Zweiten Republik, gebracht wurden, stellen ganz besondere und in Österreich einzigartige Ausstellungsstücke dar.