Military Vocabulary 2425

galea, -ae, f.

helmet (worn by Roman soldiers)

pugio, -ōnis, m.

dagger (a short stabbing weapon)

gladius, -ī, m.

sword (especially the short Roman sword used in close combat)

vagina, -ae, f.

sheath, scabbard (for a sword or dagger)

scutum, -ī, n.

shield (especially the large rectangular shield used by legionaries)

lorica, -ae, f.

cuirass, body armor (e.g., lorica segmentata, plate armor worn by Roman soldiers)

caliga, -ae, f.

military boot or sandal (worn by Roman soldiers, especially legionaries)

cingulum, -ī, n.

military belt (part of the uniform, often worn with decorations)

hasta, -ae, f.

spear (thrusting weapon used by soldiers or cavalry)

pilum, -ī, n.

javelin (heavy throwing spear used by Roman soldiers)

telum, -ī, n.

missile weapon, spear, dart (any projectile weapon)

impedimenta, -ōrum, n. pl.

baggage, equipment (the load carried by an army)

signum, -ī, n.

standard, signal (military standard or signal for movement, battle, etc.)

aquila, -ae, f.

eagle (military standard of a Roman legion, symbol of Rome’s power)

dux, ducis, m.

leader, general (commander of an army)

lēgātus, -ī, m.

legate, envoy (senior officer, often second-in-command to a general)

centuriō, -ōnis, m.

centurion (commander of a century, about 80 men)

mīles, mīlitis, m.

soldier

signifer, -ī, m.

standard-bearer (carried the signum of a unit)

aquilifer, -ī, m.

eagle-bearer (carried the aquila of the legion)

sagittārius, -ī, m.

archer (soldier equipped with a bow)

catapulta, -ae, f.

catapult (siege engine that launched projectiles)

scorpiō, -ōnis, f.

scorpion (a type of torsion siege engine for shooting bolts)

ballista, -ae, f.

ballista (large missile launcher, similar to a crossbow)

onager, onagrī, m.

onager, catapult, "wild ass" (siege engine for hurling stones, named for its kick)

testūdō, -inis, f.

"tortoise" formation (formation where soldiers held shields overhead and on the sides for protection)

aciēs, -ēī, f.

battle line, line of battle (array or formation of troops)

exercitus, -ūs, m.

army

castra, -ōrum, n. pl.

camp (always plural in Latin)

vallum, -ī, n.

rampart, palisade (defensive wall of a camp)

fossa, -ae, f.

ditch, trench (usually dug around a camp or fort