Military Vocabulary

pedites

infantry, backbone of army

legio, -nis

largest unit, originally 6,000 men, but Caesar's averaged 3,600

cohors

cohort, a tenth of a legion, 360 men

manipulus

a third of a cohort, 120 men, divided into two centuries

centuria

the smallest unit, 60 men. originally had 100 men

levis armaturae pedites

light armed foot soldiers, mostly from gaul and german

funditores

slingers, from Balearic Islands

sagittarii

bowmen or archers, from Crete and Numidia

equites

cavalry

ala

squad of about 300 men

turma

a squad of about 30 men

decuria

squad of 10 men

calones

slaves who performed menial tasks for the officers and camp

mercatores

traders who conducted canteens outside camp, selling extra provisions

muliones

muleteers who took care of the pack animals and their heavy baggage

fabri

engineers or mechanics employed to construct bridges, ships, war engines, etc.

exploratores

scouts, sent ahead of army to secure enemy info

speculators

spies, sent ahead of army on marc

dux

commanding officer, general,

legati

staff officers, equivalent to U.S lieutenant general

quaestores

quartermasters, elected for one year

tribuni militum

military tribunes, lowest-ranking commissioned officers

centuriones

centurions or captains, noncommissioned

praefecti

prefects, in command of auxiliaries of cavalry

decuriones

decurions, in command of decuriae

tunica

tunic, short sleeved woolen undergarment, almost reaches knee

sagum

a woolen cloak for severe weather, which could also serve as a blanket

caligae

leather shoes with heavy soles, with straps

lorica

a cuirass, or breastplate, made of leather and metal bands

galea

helmet, leather/metal

Scutum

Curved, rectangular shield made of wood

pilum

javelin or pike

Gladius

sword

Frumentum

grain

Aquila

eagle

Signum

standard of cohort of maniple, holder called signifer

Vexillum

standards for auxiliaries, red over commanders tent was to prepare for battle

Acies triplex

triple line, the usual formation they used

Prima acies

first line (of atttack), consisted of 4 cohorts of experienced soldiers

Secunda acies

second line (of atttack), consisted of 3 cohorts about 150 feet behind the first line, they were supposed to relieve wounded and dead soldiers

Tertia acies

third line (of atttack), consisted of the last 3 cohorts, they were farther back. They were reserve and defense from being attacked from the back

Tuba

trumpet

Cornu

horn

Primum agmen

vanguard of scouts, cavalry, and light-armed infantry

Agmen

Main columb of legionaries

Novissimum agmen

rear guard, least experienced soldiers

Impedimenta

heavy baggage, followed behind the legion, usually mules and horses

Sarcina

personal pack of a soldier, carried all of the soldiers personal equipment.

Impeditus

encumbered, soldier wearing sarcina

Expeditus

unencumbered

Iter

march, from sunrise to noon, was about 15 miles

Iter magnum

forced march, approximately 25 miles

Castra

camp, had two main streets, and 4 gates

Viae principales

main streets

Portae

gates

Fossa

ditch dug around camp, 7-10 ft deep, 12-18 ft wide

Agger

embankment made from the earth moved for the fossa, 10 ft high and 10 ft wide