Welcome to the Database of Military Inscriptions and Papyri of Early Roman Palestine! This site is designed to aid the study of the military in the early Roman period for those interested in Judaism and Christianity of the first few centuries CE. This website is still deep under construction, but has basic functionality at this point.

The search function is small but effective. If you are looking for a specific entry, search for it as a four-digit number (e.g., entry 23 can be found as 0023). You can search the text or translation easily: finding all centurions, texts from Jerusalem, all inscriptions mentioning cohors I Sebastenorum, etc. by a simple search. Here are some categories of common interest: Jewish soldiers, Palestinian soldiers, soldier-civilian interactions, Jewish civilians interacting with soldiers, military religion, the Herodian dynasty, the Jewish War (66-73 CE), War of Quietus, and pre-Constantinian Christian soldiers.

Each entry lists the original language text, an English translation, a brief commentary on the find, relevant bibliography, and information on its provenience. Eventually search functionality will be supplemented by an “advanced search” page that will have a Greek keyboard and allow more specific searches.

DMIPERP entries are divided roughly as follows: entries 1-132 were all found in Palestine and listed in roughly chronological order; entries 133-201 were texts not found in Palestine but discuss either the military in Palestine or those of a Palestinian background (especially Jews and Gentiles born in Palestine); entries 202-224 are all surviving military diplomas for Judaea and Syria Palaestina; entries 225-296 are military diplomas of units or people originating in Palestine; entries 297-340 are Palestinian milestones erected by the military; entries 341-362 are all known pre-Constantinian military inscriptions involving Christians; entries 363-400 were added after DMIPERP’s launch. There are 400 entries in total, with new entries being added following that number. Note that the source of a translation is indicated by an asterisk in the bibliography. There is more information on how to use this site as well as an updates page for any changes, updates, or new finds. Not sure where to start? Try browsing till you find something interesting!

If you would like to support this website, please consider purchasing (or asking your library to purchase) The Roman Army and the New Testament .