A Roman Fire Service

“familia publica”

Bands of slaves were employed as firefighters

"The Corps of Vigiles" were established after a particularly disastrous fire in AD 6

Service in the Corps of Vigiles was seen as an honourable means of obtaining full Roman citizenship

The history of Rome is littered with the records of great fires that devastated the city from time to time.

During the early years of the Roman Republic, bands of slaves were employed as firefighters. They were called the ‘familia publica’. Unfortunately, they were poorly trained, poorly equipped and not very motivated.

After one particularly disastrous fire in AD 6, the Emperor Augustus passed responsibility for firefighting duties to the Roman Army and established the Corps of Vigiles who were to protect the city of Rome and its Empire for the next five hundred years.

Only citizens of Rome could join the Roman Army, those free at birth. But, as the first Vigiles were recruited from freed men they were never considered true Roman soldiers and the Vigiles carried no banners. However, because recruitment was slow, the inducement of full citizenship was offered to freed men after six years service. Consequently, service in the Corps of Vigiles was seen as an honourable means of obtaining full Roman citizenship. A normal period of service with the Corps lasted 26 years.

Quite interestingly, firefighting was not the only duty of the Vigiles. At night they would ‘police’ the cities and towns and quite often be required to track down and recapture runaway slaves. During the day they would be stationed at public baths to watch over the clothes of the bathers to prevent pilfering by the public and bath attendants.

The Corps of Vigiles were established after a particularly disastrous fire in AD 6, service in the Corps of Vigiles was seen as an honourable means of obtaining full Roman citizenship

Three ranks have been identified within the Corps of Vigiles.

The Aquarius - This was a firefighter whose main duties were the supply of water to the siphos or pumps and the organisation of ‘bucket chains’.

The Siphonarius - This firefighter was responsible for the supervision and operation of the water pumps. And

The Uncinarius - This firefighter was a ‘hook’ man. He carried a large fire hook for pulling off burning roofs.

All firefighters carried knives, axes and spades to help them in their duties.

All this equipment and the training the Romans received was as varied and extensive as any you may have found in any early 19th century Fire Brigade in Britain. The Romans were remarkably forward thinking with their fire prevention and firefighting methods.

The Corps of Vigiles was not confined to Rome. The army list drawn up in AD 410 gives various locations of Vigiles stationed throughout the Roman Empire including Britain. However, with Rome threatened, the Legions started withdrawing to Italy and the Corps of Vigiles, recognised as a highly disciplined force, was armed and used to protect the outposts of the Empire. Vigiles finally disappeared with the disintegration of Rome.

"Europe was not to know another well-trained and well-equipped Fire Brigade for a thousand years"