The ever growing glossary for new readers
Glossary:
Mediolanum: A town in northern Italy, near the site of Milan.
Noviomagus: A town in what is now east Netherlands, near modern day Nijmegen.
Legion: A military unit of about 5000-6000 men.
Cohort: A sub-unit of the Legion, of about 500 men.
Century: A sub-unit of a cohort, about 80 men. The first century of any legion was considered an elite unit, and contained the best fighters of that legion. It was often a double strength formation of 160 men instead of 80. Special operations were usually assigned to the first century.
Centurion: Head officer of a century. They were promoted through the ranks, kind of like sergeants today.
Optio: An aid to the Centurion. One necessary qualification for this position was literacy. The Optio read orders and relayed them to the Centurion (who was often not literate) and composed reports.
Consul: Commander of the legion, usually nominated by the Senate to a 1-2 year stint, and almost always selected from amongst the aristocratic families of Rome. This was sort of like a Field General position.
Tribune: There were usually 3-4 of these per legion, and were second in command after the Consul. Some were nominated from aristocratic families; others rose up through the ranks.
Lyceum: A school of rationalists in Greece, founded by the famed philosopher Aristotle.
Pilum: A short Roman spear issued to each legionnaire. They were designed to be thrown at short range before the troops closed for combat.
Gladius: A short Roman sword designed for thrusting not cutting. It was the standard weapon of the Roman legionnaire.
Lorica Hamata: Armor issued to some Roman units. It was made of a finely crafted mesh of bronze or iron rings, often termed chainmail.
Mediolanum: A town in northern Italy, near the site of Milan.
Noviomagus: A town in what is now east Netherlands, near modern day Nijmegen.
Legion: A military unit of about 5000-6000 men.
Cohort: A sub-unit of the Legion, of about 500 men.
Century: A sub-unit of a cohort, about 80 men. The first century of any legion was considered an elite unit, and contained the best fighters of that legion. It was often a double strength formation of 160 men instead of 80. Special operations were usually assigned to the first century.
Centurion: Head officer of a century. They were promoted through the ranks, kind of like sergeants today.
Optio: An aid to the Centurion. One necessary qualification for this position was literacy. The Optio read orders and relayed them to the Centurion (who was often not literate) and composed reports.
Consul: Commander of the legion, usually nominated by the Senate to a 1-2 year stint, and almost always selected from amongst the aristocratic families of Rome. This was sort of like a Field General position.
Tribune: There were usually 3-4 of these per legion, and were second in command after the Consul. Some were nominated from aristocratic families; others rose up through the ranks.
Lyceum: A school of rationalists in Greece, founded by the famed philosopher Aristotle.
Pilum: A short Roman spear issued to each legionnaire. They were designed to be thrown at short range before the troops closed for combat.
Gladius: A short Roman sword designed for thrusting not cutting. It was the standard weapon of the Roman legionnaire.
Lorica Hamata: Armor issued to some Roman units. It was made of a finely crafted mesh of bronze or iron rings, often termed chainmail.
posted by Horsey at 12:00 AM
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