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03-19-2003, 11:29 AM

Salve, 
 
Here is my glossary of Latin and Greek Roman military terms. Not to be reproduced without prior permission and proper statement of origin. 
 
Regards, 
 
Sander van Dorst 
 
A 
 
A copiis militaribus (LA): 'in charge of military supplies'; imperial secretary responsible for military expenses. 
A rationibus (LA): 'in charge of accounts'; imperial secretary responsible for the treasury. 
A rationibus castrensis (LA): camp accounting secretary'; offical responsible for accounting supplies and provisions. 
Ab actis (LA): 'in charge of acts'; clerk. 
Ab epistulis (LA): ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Ân charge of letters'; imperial secretary responsible for military promotions. 
Absentia rei publicae causa (LA): absence on behalf of the state; military service meant that most types of legal action against a soldier were frozen untill his discharge. 
Accensus (LA): 'reservist'; light legionary infantry soldier. 
Acceptarius (LA): discharged soldier. 
Acceptum (LA): amount received by soldier after deductions from his pay. 
Acies (LA): battle line. 
Acies duplex (LA): double battle lines. 
Acies triplex (LA): triple battle lines. 
Aclis (LA): javelin. 
Actarius (LA): clerk. 
Ad pila et spathas (LA): close quarter combat. 
Ad signa (LA): 'with the standards'; present with unit. 
Ad stercus (LA): latrine fatigue duty. 
Ad triarios redisse (LA): 'to fall back on the triarii (LA)'; to have reached a desperate situation. 
Adaeratio (LA): recruitment tax. 
Adcrescens (LA): adolescent; soldier's offspring that would follow in the hereditary military service of the fourth century AD and received rations before taking up actual service. 
Adiutor (LA): assistant; batman. 
Adiutor librarii (LA): assistant clerk. 
Adiutor praetorii (LA): headquarter's adjutant. 
Adiutor signorum (LA): assistant of the standards. 
Adiutrix (LA): 'supporter'; title borne by two legions raised from naval soldiers. 
Adlectus (LA): picked or transferred soldier. 
Adlocutio (LA): formal speech. 
Adstatus (LA): variant spelling of hastatus (LA). 
Aedes (LA): sanctuary in the HQ where the standards were stored and a likeness of the emperor was kept. 
Aenator (LA): military musician. 
Aerarium (LA): treasury; pay chest. 
Aerarium militare (LA): military pension fund. 
Aestiva (LA): summer campaigning camp. 
Aetos (GR): eagle standard. 
Agens in rebus (LA): late Roman intelligence operative. 
Ager publicus (LA): 'public land'; confiscated land belonging to the Roman state. 
Agger (LA): (1) earth wall; (2) assault ramp. 
Agmen (LA): column. 
Agmen quadratum (LA): square marching formation. 
Agrimensor (LA): surveyor. 
AichmÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¨ (GR): spear; javelin. 
AkontistÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¨s (GR): javelineer; light infantryman. 
Ala (LA): 'wing'; (1) unit of the allies; (2) unit of auxiliary cavalry. 
Ala dromedaria (LA): cavalry unit with attached camel riders. 
Ala milliaria (LA): auxiliary cavalry unit with an establishment strength of some thousand men. 
Ala quingenaria (LA): auxiliary cavalry unit with an establishment strength of some five hundred troopers. 
Ala sociorum (LA): unit of several thousand soldiers drawn from the socii (LA) or allies. 
Alaris (LA): 'wingman'; soldier serving in ala (LA). 
Alaudae (LA): 'crested larks'; cognomen (LA) for the legio (LA) V originally raised by Caesar as a legio vernacula (LA). 
Album veteranorum (LA): list of veterans. 
AllagÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¨ (GR): relief of duty. 
Allectus (LA): chosen man; elite soldier. 
Ambulatio (LA): marching exercise. 
Ambulatura (LA): marching exercise. 
Amentum (LA): thong attached to a throwing spear to increase range and accuracy. 
Angareia (GR): requisition of transport. 
Angaria (LA): requisitioning of transport. 
Angusticlavius (LA): decorated with thin purple stripe. 
Angusticlavus (LA): thin purple stripe on tunic indicating membership of the equestrian order. 
Ankoon (GR): catapult arm. 
Annona (LA): (1) provisions; (2) tax in kind. 
Annona foederatica (LA): subsidy given to allies. 
Annona militaris (LA): 'military ration'; (1) ration; (2) tax in kind to provide for rations. 
Antecursor (LA): 'front runner'; advanced skirmisher. 
Antepilanus (LA): 'in front of the spearbearers'; soldier stationed in first or second battle line. 
Antesignanis (GR): elite legionary. 
Antesignanus (LA): soldier fighting in front of the standards; elite legionary foot soldier capable of fighting as both heavy and light infantry. 
Anularium (LA): money grant received from military association. 
Aper (LA): boar; one of the five original legionary standards of a republican legio (LA) and symbol of the imperial legio XX and llegio X Fretensis. 
Apollinaris (LA): dedicated to Apollo. 
Aquila (LA): eagle standard. 
Aquilae natalis (LA): 'birthday of the eagle'; anniversary of the official founding of a legio (LA). 
Aquilifer (LA): eaglebearer; standardbearer carrying the legion's eagle. 
Archigybernes (LA): senior helmsman. 
Architectus (LA): engineer; constructor of torsion guns. 
Archoon tou kontuberniou (GR): 'commander of the tent party'; squad leader, term used as equivalent of dekarchos (GR). 
Arcuballista (LA): torsion gun; crossbow. 
Arcus (LA): bow. 
Arcuarius (LA): bowyer. 
Areani (LA): late Roman scout/spy unit based in Britannia. 
Aries (LA): battering ram. 
Arithmos (GR): military unit; Greek equivalent of numerus (LA). 
Arma (LA): weapons. 
Arma antesignana (LA): the weapons of the antesignani (LA); lonchÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¨ (GR) or lancea (LA) and aspis (GR). 
Arma legionaria (LA): legionary weapons. 
Arma postsignana (LA): the weapons of the postsignani (LA); 
xyston (GR) or pilum (LA) and thyreos (GR) or scutum (LA). 
Arma velitaria (LA): the weapons belonging to the velites (LA); hasta velitaris (LA) and parma (LA). 
Armamentarium (LA): weapons storage. 
Armatura (LA): (1) advanced weapons training; (2) weapon instructor; (3) soldier with advanced weapons training; (4) armament. 
Armatura duplaris (LA): weapons instructor on double rations. 
Armatus (LA): armed. 
Armicustos (LA): soldier tasked with the administration and supply of weapons and equipment. 
Armidoctor (LA): equivalent of doctor armorum (LA); weapons instructor. 
Armiger (LA): 'weaponbearer'; armed man. 
Armilausa (LA): military clothing item. 
Armilla (LA): arm band used as military decoration. 
Artifex (LA): artisan. 
Arx (LA): fortress. 
Aspis (GR): shield. 
Aspis koilÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¨ (GR): curved shield used by legionary heavy infantry. 
Aspis platea (GR): flat shield used by legionary light infantry. 
Assiduus (LA): propertied citizen with military service obligation. 
Aurum tironicum (LA): money tax levied instead of protostasia (GR). 
Auspicia (LA): supreme authority. 
Auxilia (LA): auxiliaries. 
Auxilia palatina (LA): late Roman crack infantry units. 
Auxiliaris (LA): auxiliary soldier. 
Auxilium (LA): late Roman infantry unit. 
Auxilium palatinum (LA): elite late Roman field army infantry unit. 
 
 
B 
 
Bacaudae (LA): late Roman rebel group in Gaul. 
Ballista (LA): torsion gun. 
Ballista quadrirotis (LA): ?fourwheeled torsion gun?; mobile catapult. 
Ballistarius (LA): artillery soldier. 
Balteus (LA): military belt. 
Bandifer (LA): Byzantine standard bearer. 
Bandon (GR): late Roman military unit. 
Bandum (LA): late Roman military standard. 
Barbaricum (LA): the world beyond the imperial frontiers. 
Barbarus (LA): non Roman; foreigner. 
Baro (LA): servant; groom. 
Barcarius (LA): bargeman. 
Barritus (LA): battle cry. 
Basileus (GR): emperor. 
Basilica equestris exercitatoria (LA): cavalry training hall. 
Basilica exercitatoria (LA): drill hall. 
Basilikon telos (GR): imperial guard. 
Basilikos (LA): imperial. 
Batavus (LA): (1) Batavian; (2) nickname of imperial horse guard trooper. 
Battualia (LA): fighting exercise. 
Bearcus (LA): variant spelling of biarchus (LA); late Roman noncom. 
Bearcus draconarius (LA): late Roman senior standardbearer. 
Bebra (LA): barbarian heavy javelin. 
Bellator (LA): fighter; warrior. 
Bellum (LA): war. 
Belos (GR): missile. 
Beneficium (LA): military promotion. 
Beneficiarius (LA): (1) soldier on special assignment; (2) military police. 
Beneficiarius consularis (LA): soldier attached to a provincial governor's staff. 
Beneficiarius legati legionis (LA): soldier attached to staff of legionary commander. 
Beneficiarius tribuni (LA): soldier attached to the staff of a tribunus (LA). 
Benephikiarios (GR): Greek equivalent of beneficiarius (LA). 
Biarchus (LA): late Roman NCO. 
Bipennis (LA): double headed axe. 
BoukellarÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¨os (GR): personal retainer, Greek equivalent of Buccellarius (LA). 
Bracae (LA): trousers. 
Brittunculus (LA): 'little Briton'; derogatory name for Roman adversary in Britannia. 
Buccellarius (LA): private retainer. 
Buccellatum (LA): hard tack; ration. 
Bucculla (LA): helmet cheeck piece. 
Bucina (LA): musical instrument. 
Bucinator (LA): trumpeter. 
Bucinator principalis (LA): trumpeter with NCO rank. 
Burgarius (LA): soldier stationed at burgus (LA). 
Burgus (LA): small fortification. 
 
 
 
 
C 
 
Cacula (LA): military servant. 
Caesim ferire (LA): to slash (with a sword). 
Calceus (LA): shoe; boot. 
Calciarium (LA): 'shoe money'; bounty demanded by troops for prolonged marching. 
Caliga (LA): leather personnel carrier; military boot. 
Caligatus (LA): person wearing caligae (LA); soldier, NCO or officer below the social rank of eques Romanus (LA). 
Calo (LA): horse groom; military servant. 
Campicursio (LA): military exercise. 
Campidoctor (LA): drill instructor. 
Campigenus (LA): 'born at the exercise field'; elite legionary soldier. 
Campus (LA): cavalry training area; exercise field. 
Campus Martius (LA): field of Mars where during the republic troops were assembled prior to military campaigns. 
Canabae (LA): civilian settlement attached to military base. 
Candidatus (LA): (1) soldier awaiting promotion; (2) late Roman guardsman. 
Cannensis (LA): the nickname of the soldiers who had survived the defeat at Cannae and were kept in service until Carthage was defeated in the Second Punic War. 
Capite censi (LA): 'head count'; citizens that could not meet the property demands required for military service. 
Capsa (LA): container with bandages and medical implements carried by medics. 
Capsarius (LA): medic. 
Caput contubernii (LA): head of tentparty. 
Caput porcinum (LA): 'boar's head'; attack column or wedge formation. 
Carcer (LA): prison cell. 
Carcerarius (LA): prison guard. 
Carroballista (LA): torsion artillery. 
Cassis (LA): helmet. 
Castellum (LA): fort. 
Castigatio (LA): corporal punishment. 
Castra (LA): camp. 
Castra aestiva (LA): summer campaigning camp. 
Castra hiberna (LA): winter base. 
Castra movere (LA): to break camp. 
Castra nova (LA): 'new camp'; second base for imperial horse guard at Rome after the unit was increased in size. 
Castra peregrina (LA): military base at Rome for personel seconded from the provincial armies. 
Castra praetoria (LA): praetorian camp; (1) base of the praetorian guard at Rome established by Tiberius; (2) dense close ordered formation in the late Roman army. 
Castra priora (LA): 'earlier camp'; original base of imperial horse guard at Rome. 
Castrense peculium (LA): possessions acquired by soldier during military service which remained outside the patria potestas (LA). 
Cataphracta (LA): body armour. 
Cataphractarius (LA): heavily armoured cavalryman. 
Cataphractus (LA): heavily armoured cavalryman. 
Catapulta (LA): 'shield smasher'; torsion gun. 
Causarius (LA): soldier discharged for wounds or other medical reasons. 
Cedo alteram (LA): 'give me another'; nickname of a hated centurio killed in the Pannonian mutiny of AD 14 who used to break his vine sticks on the back of his men. 
Celeusta (LA): naval officer. 
Cenaticum (LA): provision of (money for) food; often extorted by soldiers billeted on civilians. 
Centenaria (LA): small fortification. 
Centenarius (LA): late Roman officer of equivalent rank as centurio (LA). 
Centenus (LA): unit of nominally a hundred men. 
Centuria (LA): 'hundred'; military unit of some thirty to two hundred foot soldiers. 
Centurio (LA): 'commander of hundred'; centurion; officer. 
Centurio alti ordinis (LA): centurion of higher rank. 
Centurio classicus (LA): naval centurion. 
Centurio deputatus (LA): centurion on detached duty. 
Centurio exercitator (LA): cavalry training officer. 
Centurio frumentarius (LA): centurion of the military intelligence service. 
Centurio legionarius (LA): legionary centurion. 
Centurio ordinarius/ordinatus (LA): centurion commanding a 
centuria (LA). 
Centurio posterior (LA): second in command of a manipulus (LA). 
Centurio prior (LA): senior centurion of a manipulus (LA). 
Centurio protector (LA): 'bodyguard centurion'; officer among the protectores (LA). 
Centurio regionarius (LA): district centurion responsible for administration and law enforcement. 
Centurio retentus (LA): centurion serving on after term of service. 
Centurio speculatorum Augustorum (LA): officer attached to the speculatores (LA) of the praetorian guard. 
Centurio statorum (LA): centurion in charge of military constabulary. 
Centurio stratorum (LA): officer in charge of horse supply to the army which was at times placed in command of the pedites singulares (LA). 
Centurio supernumerarius (LA): supernumerary centurion with special assignments. 
Cervus (LA): 'animal horn'; obstacle made of pointed stakes. 
Cetra (LA): shield; small Hispanic buckler. 
Cetratus (LA): (1) soldier equipped with a small shield; (2) skirmisher. 
Charax (GR): wall. 
Cheloonion (GR): catapult block. 
Cheiroballistra (GR): torsion artillery. 
Chiliarchia (GR): unit of nominally a thousand men. 
Chiliarchos (GR): 'commander of a thousand'; Greek term for tribunus (LA). 
ChoortÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¨ (GR): cohort. 
Cibaria (LA): rations. 
Cibariator (LA): commissariat clerk. 
Cibus (LA): food; ration. 
Cinctus (LA): 'girded with sword belt'; combat ready. 
Cingulum (LA): late Roman military belt. 
Cingulum militare (LA): late Roman military belt. 
Circitor (LA): late Roman junior cavalry NCO originally tasked with making rounds to inspect sentries. 
Circumvallatio (LA): circumvallation. 
Civis Romanus (LA): Roman citizen. 
Civium Romanorum (LA): epithet of auxiliary units that were either originally recruited from Roman citizens or had received a mass grant of the citizenship for outstanding service. 
Clades (LA): defeat. 
Clades Lolliana (LA): 'Lollian defeat'; defeat of governor Lollius against invading Germanic tribesmen in 16 BC. 
Clades Variana (LA): 'Varian defeat'; defeat of Varus in the Teutoburgian forest in 9 AD. 
Classiarius (LA): sailor; marine. 
Classicum (LA): military musical salute. 
Classicus (LA): naval soldier; sailor, marine. 
Classis (LA): (1) part of population with military service obligations; (2) fleet. 
Classis Germanica (LA): 'German fleet'; Rhine fleet. 
Classis praetoria (LA): 'praetorian fleet'; main naval fleet stationed at Ravenna or Misenum. 
Classis praetoria Ravennatium (LA): 'praetorian fleet of Ravenna'; main Roman fleet based in Adriatic Sea. 
Classis praetoria Misenatium (LA): 'praetorian fleet of Misenum'; main Roman fleet based in Tyrhenean Sea. 
Clavarium (LA): 'hobnail money'; allowance given to soldiers for purchase of extra nails when involved in prolonged marching. 
Clavis lignea (LA): wooden practice sword. 
Clavicula (LA): curved wall and ditch extension protecting a gate of a marching camp. 
Clavicularius (LA): guard stationed at the gate. 
Clavus (LA): tunic decoration. 
Clibanarius (LA): 'field oven man'; heavily armoured cavalry trooper. 
Clibanus (LA): field oven. 
Clinicus (LA): medic. 
Clipeus (LA): buckler. 
Cognomen (LA): (honorary) nickname. 
Cohors (LA): military unit. 
Cohors alaria (LA): allied - or auxiliary unit. 
Cohors classica (LA): auxiliary unit originally formed of sailors and marines. 
Cohors equitata (LA): unit of auxiliary infantry with attached mounted squadrons. 
Cohors Germanorum (LA): the unit of Germani custodes corporis (LA). 
Cohors milliaria (LA): 'thousand strong unit'; military unit with an establishment strength of a 1000 soldiers. 
Cohors palatina (LA): 'palace unit'; tetrarchic title of cohors praetoria (LA). 
Cohors peditata (LA): infantry unit. 
Cohors praetoria (LA): (1) bodyguard of a general during the republic; (2) unit of imperial guard. 
Cohors quingenaria (LA): military unit with an establishment strength of 500 men. 
Cohors speculatorum (LA): guard unit of Marcus Antonius composed of scouts. 
Cohors togata (LA): unit of praetorian guard in civilian dress tasked with duties within the pomerium (LA). 
Cohors torquata (LA): auxiliary unit granted a torques (LA). 
Cohors tumultuaria (LA): irregular auxiliary unit. 
Cohors urbana (LA): urban cohort; military police unit. 
Cohors vigilum (LA): cohort of the watchmen; unit of the police force annex fire brigade. 
Cohortalis (LA): soldier belonging to a cohors. 
Collatus (LA): soldier picked for service in other unit. 
Collega (LA): member of the same unit. 
Comes (LA): 'companion'; (1)friend of the emperor; (2) late Roman army commander (3) elite cavalryman. 
Comes domesticorum (LA): commander of the household troops. 
Comes domesticorum equitum (LA): 'count of the household cavalry'; late Roman guard cavalry commander. 
Comes rei militaris (LA): 'count of military affairs'; late Roman military commander. 
Comitatensis (LA): soldier belonging to late Roman field army. 
Comitatus (LA): 'following'; imperial field army of the third century AD. 
Comites dominorum nostrorum (LA): 'companions of our lords'; imperial horse guards from the tetrarchy. 
Comitia centuriata (LA): popular assembly based on ancient army structure of centuriae (LA). 
Comitiatus (LA): senior officer elected by popular assembly. 
Commanipularis (LA): fellow soldier; brother in arms. 
Commoda (LA): discharge benefits. 
Commodiana (LA): 'Commodus' own'; honorary unit title. 
Commeatus (LA): leave. 
Commentariensis (LA): legal staff administrator. 
Commentarii (LA): field commander's report to the senate. 
Commilito (LA): fellow soldier. 
Comminus (LA): close quarter fighting. 
Compar (LA): soldier of the same rank. 
Conalaris (LA): 'fellow wingman'; trooper belonging to same cavalry unit. 
Concha (LA): ?seashell?; shipwreck. 
Concordia exercituum (LA): 'concord of the armies'; propaganda slogan used on coins. 
Conditorium (LA): depot. 
Conductor (LA): supply contractor. 
Congeries armorum: pile of military equipment. 
Conquisitor (LA): recruiting officer. 
Consilium (LA): imperial advisory council. 
Consistorium (LA): late Roman imperial advisory council. 
Constitutio (LA): service regulation. Several sets of military constitutiones (LA) were formulated by emperors, among them Augustus and Hadrianus. 
Consul (LA): consul; highest magistrate in republican Rome commanding major military forces. 
Consularis (LA): former consul (LA). 
Contarius (LA): heavy cavalry soldier armed with two handed pike. 
Contiro (LA): fellow recruit. 
Contributus (LA): transferred soldier. 
Contubernalis (LA): (1) officer cadet; (2) squad member. 
Contubernium (LA): tentparty; group of soldiers sharing a tent. 
Contus (LA): spear; heavy two handed thrusting spear. 
Conubium (LA): legal marriage. 
Conveteranus (LA): fellow veteran. 
Copiae (LA): (1) military forces; (2) supplies. 
Cornicen (LA): horn-blower. 
Cornicularius (LA): NCO with administrative duties. 
Cornicularius consularis (LA): NCO heading provincial governor's administrative staff. 
Cornicularius legati (LA): NCO at head of administrative staff of legionary legate. 
Cornicularius praefectorum praetorio (LA): NCO supervising administrative staff of praetorian prefects. 
Cornicularius praefecti classis (LA): NCO at head of administrative staff of fleet prefect. 
Cornicularius praefecti Aegypti (LA): NCO supervising administrative staff of governor of Egypt. 
Cornicularius praefecti legionis (LA): NCO at head of administrative staff of legionary prefect. 
Cornicularius praesidis (LA): NCO heading administrative staff of equestrian governor. 
Cornicularius procuratoris Augusti (LA): NCO at head of imperial procurator's administrative staff. 
Cornicularius tribuni (LA): NCO supervising tribune's administrative staff. 
Corniculum (LA): small horn used as a military decoration. 
Cornu (LA): (1) horn; (2) wing of battle formation. 
Cornuti (LA): 'horned ones'; late Roman auxilium palatinum (LA). 
Corona (LA): wreath or crown awarded as military decoration. 
Corona aurea (LA): gold crown. 
Corona civica (LA): wreath of oak leaves awarded for saving a fellow citizen's life. 
Corona classica (LA): fleet crown; naval decoration. 
Corona exploratoria (LA): crown awarded to scouts. 
Corona graminea/obsidionalis (LA): grass crown awarded for saving an entire army. 
Corona muralis (LA): crown awarded to first man reaching the top of an enemy wall. 
Corona navalis (LA): naval crown. 
Corona vallaris (LA): crown awarded to first man on top of an enemy rampart. 
Corvus (LA): 'raven'; movable boarding bridge. 
Covinus (LA): Celtic war-chariot. 
Cratis (LA): wickerwork shield. 
Crista (LA): helmet crest. 
Crista transversa (LA): transverse helmet crest used as recognition mark of centurion. 
Cristatus (LA): crested. 
Cuneus (LA): 'wedge'; (1) attack column or wedge formation; (2) cavalry unit. 
Cuneus equitum (LA): cavalry unit. 
Cura copiarum (LA): supply management. 
Cura explorationis (LA): responsibility for scouting. 
Curam agens (LA): soldier in charge. 
Curator (LA): (1) soldier, NCO or officer with special responsibilities; (2) supply administrator. 
Curator cohortis (LA): interim commander of auxiliary regiment. 
Curator Germanorum (LA): commander of the Germani custodes corporis (LA), the imperial bodyguard. 
Curator operis armamentarii (LA): person in charge of arms supply. 
Curator veteranorum (LA): officer in charge of time served soldiers awaiting discharge. 
Cursores (LA): 'runners'; assault troops. 
Cursus clabularis (LA): wagon post; imperial wagon transportation service. 
Cursus honorum (LA): the public career path of Roman nobles consisting of both civilian and military posts. 
Cursus publicus (LA): imperial posting system. 
Custos (LA): guard; guardian; sentry. 
Custos armorum (LA): soldier tasked with the registration and supply of weapons and equipment. 
Custos basilicae (LA): caretaker of training hall. 
Custos vivarii (LA): guard of animal enclosure. 
 
 
 
D 
 
Decanus (LA): commander of contubernium (LA) or tentparty. 
Decimipilus (LA): centurion of the pili of the tenth cohort of a legion. 
Decumanus (LA): soldier of the legio X. 
Decurio (LA): cavalry officer; (1) officer commanding ten to thirty horse men in the legion of the early republic; (2) officer commanding a turma (LA) in the auxilia (LA). 
Decurio exercitator (LA): cavalry training officer. 
Decurio praepositus (LA): decurion placed in command. 
Decurio princeps (LA): officer in charge of unit's administration. 
Decursio (LA): military exercise. 
Dediticius (LA): someone who has surrendered; prisoner of war. 
Deditio (LA): unconditional surrender. 
Deducticius (LA): settled veteran. 
Defector (LA): deserter. 
Defensores (LA): 'defenders'; troops in close order defensive formation. 
Dekanos (GR): militia man; police man. 
Dekarchos (GR): (1) cavalry officer; Greek equivalent of decurio (LA); (2) section commander, equivalent of decanus (LA). 
Delectus (LA): picked soldier. 
Deposita (LA): savings. 
Deposita ad signa (LA): 'deposits at the standards'; savings. 
Deputatus (LA): medical orderly. 
Dexa (GR): 'catch!'; motto inscribed on lead sling bullets. 
Diaseismos (GR): 'shakedown'; extortion was a relatively common military vice. 
Dictator (LA): senior magistrate granted emergency powers originally appointed for a period of six months. 
Difalangia (LA): double battle order, ie facing front and rear. 
Digmata (LA): shield decoration. 
Dilectator (LA): official in charge of conscription levy. 
Dilectus (LA): conscription levy. 
DiogmitÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¨s (GR): urban militia man. 
Dioostra (GR): catapult slider. 
Diploma (LA): discharge certificate. 
Direptio (LA): sack. 
Discens (LA): trainee. 
Discens architecti (LA): trainee artillery constructor. 
Discens aquiliferum (LA): trainee eagle standard bearer. 
Discens aquiliferorum (LA): trainee eagle standard bearer. 
Discens capsariorum (LA): soldier training for function as medical orderly. 
Discens equitum (LA): trainee cavalryman 
Discens lanchiariorum ((Bad) LA): trainee javelineer. 
Discens mensorem (LA): trainee surveyor. 
Discens phalangarium (LA): soldier training as a phalangarius (LA): during the third century AD several experiments were conducted with Macedonian phalanx tactics, apparently requiring special training in weapons handling and drill. 
Discens signiferorum (LA): trainee standardbearer. 
Dispensator (LA): imperial treasury slave. 
Distributio numerorum (LA): distribution of units; the order of battle of the Roman army in the Notitia Dignitatum. 
Doctor (LA): instructor. 
Doctor armorum (LA): weapons instructor. 
Dolabra (LA): axe. 
Dolator (LA): sailor in charge of rigging sail. 
Dolus (LA): trick, ruse. 
Domesticus (LA): 'household man'; late Roman imperial guard soldier. 
Domitiana (LA): 'Domitian's own'; honorary title for loyal army units in Domitian's reign. 
Dona militaria (LA): military decorations. 
Donativum (LA): extraordinary grant of money. 
Donis donatus (LA): rewarded with decorations. 
Dory (GR): spear. 
Dory makron (GR): long spear or pike; weapon used by legionary phalangarii (LA) in third century. 
Doryphoros (GR): 'spearman'; guard soldier. 
Doux (GR): military commander. 
Draco (LA): 'dragon'; windsock standard. 
Draconarius (LA): dragon bearer; late Roman standardbearer. 
Dromedarius (LA): camel trooper. 
Ducenarius (LA): late Roman officer. 
Duovir navalis (LA): republican era naval commander. 
Duplaris (LA): NCO on double basic pay. 
Duplicarius (LA): NCO on double basic pay. 
Duumvir navalis (LA): member of naval committee of two; republican era naval commander. 
Dux (LA): commander. 
Dux ripae (LA): 'river bank commander'; subordinate commander of frontier section. Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=sandervandorst@romanarmytalk>Sander van Dorst</A> at: 4/20/03 7:20:17 pm

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