01-20-2013, 01:51 AM
Today I have read another small hint, which I forgot in our discussion so far.
The auxilia and ala were commanded by a prefect if quingenaria (500 men) or a tribune if millaria (1000 men). But there was one exception: an auxilia cohors c.R. (of roman citizens) had to be led by a tribune. A prefect was not enough, even if he is also of equestrian rank like the tribune.
So the romans were obviously very traditional if it comes to roman citizens and even for the auxilia they requested for the traditional republican rank of a tribune for commander.
No proof, because we are talking about auxilia here, but another hint, that a centurio perhaps had not the proper rank by tradition in order to lead a cohors of romans citizens. Centurions commanded cohors of non-romans, but for romans even a prefect was not sufficient.
Well, perhaps you guys can find examples which proof the authors (Francois Jacques and John Scheid) wrong, but I have read this rule more than once.
The auxilia and ala were commanded by a prefect if quingenaria (500 men) or a tribune if millaria (1000 men). But there was one exception: an auxilia cohors c.R. (of roman citizens) had to be led by a tribune. A prefect was not enough, even if he is also of equestrian rank like the tribune.
So the romans were obviously very traditional if it comes to roman citizens and even for the auxilia they requested for the traditional republican rank of a tribune for commander.
No proof, because we are talking about auxilia here, but another hint, that a centurio perhaps had not the proper rank by tradition in order to lead a cohors of romans citizens. Centurions commanded cohors of non-romans, but for romans even a prefect was not sufficient.
Well, perhaps you guys can find examples which proof the authors (Francois Jacques and John Scheid) wrong, but I have read this rule more than once.
Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas
