Glossary of Roman army terminology

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<strong>E</strong><br>
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<em>Eirenarchos</em> (GR): militia commander.<br>
<em>Eirènikè schèma</em> (GR): peacetime attire ie without full equipment.<br>
<em>Ektaxis</em> (GR): battle order.<br>
<em>Ektraordinarios</em> (GR): Greek term for <em>extraordinarius</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Elephans turritus</em> (LA): turreted elephant.<br>
<em>Emansor</em> (LA): deserter.<br>
<em>Emerita statio</em> (LA): completed tour of duty.<br>
<em>Emeritus</em> (LA): soldier having served mandatory time; veteran.<br>
<em>Eparchos</em> (GR): officer.<br>
<em>Eparchos ilès</em> (GR): 'wing commander'; Greek term for <em>praefectus alae</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Eparchos speirès</em> (GR): equestrian officer; Greek equivalent of <em>praefectus cohortis</em> (LA) and <em>praefectus alae</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Eparchos toon toxotoon</em> (GR): commander of archers.<br>
<em>Epi toon topoon</em> (GR): ín charge of the vicinity'; Greek title for <em>centurio regionarius</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Epibata</em> (LA): marine.<br>
<em>Epibatès</em> (GR): marine.<br>
<em>Epikouros</em> (GR): auxiliary.<br>
<em>Epilektos</em> (GR): elite soldier.<br>
<em>Epimelètès</em> (GR): officer; commander.<br>
<em>Epiploos</em> (GR): ship's guard.<br>
<em>Epistula commendaticia</em> (LA): letter of recommendation; credential.<br>
<em>Eques</em> (LA): cavalryman.<br>
<em>Eques alaris</em> (LA): cavalryman belonging to auxiliary <em>ala</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Eques Augustorum</em> (LA): praetorian cavalry trooper.<br>
<em>Eques Batavus</em> (LA): (1) Batavian horseman; (2) imperial horse guard trooper, not necessarily recruited from that particular tribe.<br>
<em>Eques capsarius</em> (LA): mounted medical orderly.<br>
<em>Eques cohortalis</em> (LA): trooper belonging to <em>cohors equitata</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Eques dominorum nostrorum</em> (LA): 'horseman of our lords'; tetrarchic imperial horse guard trooper.<br>
<em>Eques indigena</em> (LA): local cavalryman.<br>
<em>Eques legionis</em> (LA): legionary horseman.<br>
<em>Eques praetorianus</em> (LA): cavalryman attached to <em>cohors praetoria</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Eques promotus</em> (LA): mounted legionary or praetorian.<br>
<em>Eques protector</em> (LA): legionary cavalryman acting as bodyguard.<br>
<em>Eques Romanus</em> (LA): 'Roman knight'; member of equestrian class.<br>
<em>Eques sagittarius</em> (LA): horse archer.<br>
<em>Eques singularis</em> (LA): (1) auxiliary trooper serving in the governor's guard; (2) legionary cavalryman serving as bodyguard of senior officers.<br>
<em>Eques singularis Augusti</em> (LA): trooper of imperial horse guard.<br>
<em>Eques speculator</em> (LA): 'scout' or 'spy'; mounted scout.<br>
<em>Eques stablesianus</em> (LA): 'stableboy'; mounted legionary.<br>
<em>Equisio</em> (LA): horse attendant.<br>
<em>Equitatus</em> (LA): cavalry.<br>
<em>Equus</em> (LA): (1) horse; (2) horse standard, one of the five original legionary standards in the republican Roman army.<br>
<em>Equus publicus</em> (LA): horse provided at state expense to a select body of Roman knights and senators.<br>
<em>Equus privatus</em> (LA): mount provided at own expense.<br>
<em>Ergodotes</em> (LA): naval soldier; sailor.<br>
<em>Evocatus</em> (LA): reenlisted veteran.<br>
<em>Evocatus Augusti</em> (LA): reenlisted veteran from <em>cohortes praetoriae</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Euzonos</em> (GR): light infantryman.<br>
<em>Ex frumentario</em> (LA): former military intelligence officer.<br>
<em>Exactus</em> (LA): accountant.<br>
<em>Exarchus</em> (LA): late Roman cavalry officer.<br>
<em>Exauctoritas</em> (LA): discharge from military service.<br>
<em>Excerptor</em> (LA): shorthand secretary; clerk.<br>
<em>Excubia</em> (LA): guard post.<br>
<em>Excubitor</em> (LA): late Roman guardsman.<br>
<em>Excubitus</em> (LA): guard duty.<br>
<em>Exculcator</em> (LA): skirmisher.<br>
<em>Exercitatio</em> (LA): military exercise.<br>
<em>Exercitator</em> (LA): cavalry instructor.<br>
<em>Exercitus</em> (LA): army.<br>
<em>Exercitus Germanicus Inferior</em> (LA): the provincial army of <em>Germania Inferior</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Expeditio</em> (LA): imperial field campaign.<br>
<em>Expeditus</em> (LA): (1) soldier without marching pack; (2) soldier with light equipment.<br>
<em>Exploratio</em> (LA): reconnaissance mission.<br>
<em>Explooratoor</em> (GR): scout; transliteration of <em>explorator</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Explorator</em> (LA): scout.<br>
<em>Extraordinarius</em> (LA): picked soldier from republican allies.<br>
<em>Exuviae</em> (LA): plundered weaponry and equipment.<br>
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<strong>F</strong><br>
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<em>Faber</em> (LA): artisan.<br>
<em>Faber navalis</em> (LA): ship's carpenter.<br>
<em>Fabrica</em> (LA): workshop.<br>
<em>Fabrica ballistaria</em> (LA): artillery workshop.<br>
<em>Fabrica cohortis</em> (LA): cohort's workshop.<br>
<em>Fabrica legionis</em> (LA): workshop of the legion.<br>
<em>Fabricensis</em> (LA): artisan.<br>
<em>Falarica</em> (LA): javelin.<br>
<em>Falx</em> (LA): battle-scythe.<br>
<em>Familia</em> (LA): late Roman squad.<br>
<em>Fascia</em> (LA): socks.<br>
<em>Felix</em> (LA): fortunate; lucky; nickname borne by some imperial units.<br>
<em>Feminalia</em> (LA): breeches.<br>
<em>Ferentarius</em> (LA): (1) republican legionary light infantryman; (2) republican legionary slinger; (3) republican legionary light cavalryman; (4) military servant.<br>
<em>Feriale Duranum</em> (LA): military calendar of festivals.<br>
<em>Ferrata</em> (LA): 'ironclad'; nickname of one of the <em>legiones</em> VI.<br>
<em>Fetialis</em> (LA): priest involved with religious ceremonies surrounding declaration of war.<br>
<em>Fidelis</em> (LA): loyal.<br>
<em>Finis</em> (LA): border.<br>
<em>Finitus commeatus</em> (LA): restricted leave.<br>
<em>Fisci curator</em> (LA): praetorian guard <em>armicustos</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Fiscus</em> (LA): imperial treasury.<br>
<em>Flavia</em> (LA): 'Flavian'; raised or reconstituted either by Vespasianus for early imperial units or by Constantius in case of late Roman units.<br>
<em>Flavialis</em> (LA): late Roman NCO.<br>
<em>Focale</em>(LA): scarf.<br>
<em>Foederatus</em> (LA): ally.<br>
<em>Foedus</em> (LA): treaty.<br>
<em>Forfex</em> (LA): pincer.<br>
<em>Forma</em> (LA): map.<br>
<em>Fossa</em> (LA): ditch.<br>
<em>Fossa fastigata</em> (LA): V-shaped ditch.<br>
<em>Fossa Punica</em> (LA): 'Punic ditch'; ditch with inward sloping side and outward nearly vertical side.<br>
<em>Foulkon</em> (GR): Greek equivalent of <em>fulco</em> (LA); close packed defensive formation similar to the <em>testudo</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Framea</em> (LA): Germanic spear.<br>
<em>Fretensis</em> (LA): 'smashing' or 'destroying'; legionary nickname derived from a battle fought in the <em>Fretum</em>, the sea passage between Sicily and Italy.<br>
<em>Frumentarius</em> (LA): soldier responsible for grain supply; military intelligence operative.<br>
<em>Frumentatio</em> (LA): collection of grain supplies; fouraging.<br>
<em>Frumentum menstruum gratuitum</em> (LA): free monthly grain allowance; priviledge enjoyed by praetorian soldiers from Nero's reign.<br>
<em>Fuga</em> (LA): flight.<br>
<em>Fulco</em> LA): close packed defensive formation similar to the <em>testudo</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Fulminata</em> (LA): 'thunderbolt'; legionary nickname of <em>legio</em> XII.<br>
<em>Funditor</em> (LA): slinger.<br>
<em>Furca</em> (LA): baggage carrying pole.<br>
<em>Fustibalis</em> (LA): staff sling.<br>
<em>Fustis</em> (LA): baton; staff used as badge of office.<br>
<em>Fustuarium</em> (LA): death penalty by stoning or cudgeling.<br>
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<strong>G</strong><br>
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<em>Gaesum</em> (LA): spear.<br>
<em>Gaesatus</em> (LA); spearman; Celtic mercenary.<br>
<em>Galea</em> (LA): helmet.<br>
<em>Galearius</em> (LA): military servant.<br>
<em>Gastrapheta</em> (LA): 'belly bow'; heavy crossbow / light torsion gun.<br>
<em>Gastraphetès</em> (GR): 'belly bow'; heavy crossbow / light torsion gun.<br>
<em>Gemina</em> (LA): twin.<br>
<em>Geminensis</em> (LA): soldier belonging to a unit named <em>Gemina</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Gentilis</em> (LA): foreigner; barbarian.<br>
<em>Germanicianus</em> (LA): soldier belonging to the provincial armies of <em>Germania Superior</em> (LA) and <em>Germania Inferior</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Germanus custos corporis</em> (LA): German bodyguard of Julio-Claudian dynasty.<br>
<em>Gladiator</em> (LA): swordfighter.<br>
<em>Gladius</em> (LA): general term for sword, NOT necessarily a shortsword.<br>
<em>Gladius Hispanicus</em> (LA): 'Spanish sword'; double edged cut-and-thrust weapon with a tapering blade and a point suited for ripping open mail armour.<br>
<em>Gladius Hispaniensis</em> (LA): 'Spanish sword'; double edged cut-and-thrust weapon with a tapering blade and a point suited for ripping open mail armour.<br>
<em>Gladius pugnatorius</em> (LA): fighting - or combat sword; ie not a training weapon.<br>
<em>Glans</em> (LA): slingshot.<br>
<em>Globus</em> (LA): (1) fast moving unit; (2) square.<br>
<em>Gorytos</em> (GR): quiver.<br>
<em>Gradus</em> (LA): (1) marching pace; (2) military rank.<br>
<em>Gradus deiectio</em> (LA): reduction in military rank.<br>
<em>Gradus militaris</em> (LA): measured military marching pace.<br>
<em>Gradus plenus</em> (LA): full step; more relaxed step better suited for marching.<br>
<em>Gravis armatura</em> (LA): heavy armed.<br>
<em>Gregalis</em> (LA): private; common soldier.<br>
<em>Gregarius</em> (LA): private; ranker.<br>
<em>Groma</em> (LA): surveying instrument.<br>
<em>Grosphomachos</em> (GR): javelineer; legionary skirmisher.<br>
<em>Grosphos</em> (GR): javelin.<br>
<em>Gubernator</em> (LA): helmsman.<br>
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<strong>H</strong><br>
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<em>Halysidootos</em> (GR): mail coat.<br>
<em>Harpago</em> (LA): harpoon.<br>
<em>Hasta</em> (LA): spear.<br>
<em>Hasta amentata</em> (LA): thonged javelin.<br>
<em>Hasta pura</em> (LA): spear without iron tip used as a military decoration.<br>
<em>Hasta velitaris</em> (LA): light throwing spear with soft iron tip.<br>
<em>Hastarius</em> (LA): spearman.<br>
<em>Hastatus</em> (LA): 'spearman'; legionary heavy infantryman.<br>
<em>Hastatus centurio</em> (LA): centurion in charge of unit of <em>hastati</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Hastatus posterior</em> (LA): deputy to <em>hastatus prior</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Hastatus prior</em> (LA): centurion commanding a <em>manipulus</em> (LA) of <em>hastati</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Hastile</em> (LA): (1) wooden practice spear; (2) staff of the <em>optio centuriae</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Hastiliarius</em> (LA): weapons instructor.<br>
<em>Hastula</em> (LA): small spear.<br>
<em>Hègemoon</em> (GR): commander.<br>
<em>Hekatontarchès</em> (GR): 'commander of hundred'; Greek term for <em>centurio</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Hekatontarchès lonchophoroon</em> (GR): 'centurion of the spearmen'; commander of elite legionary <em>lonchophoroi</em> (GR) or <em>lancearii</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Hekatontarchia</em> (GR): 'unit of hundred'; Greek term for <em>centuria</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Helepolis</em> (GR): siege tower.<br>
<em>Hemistrigium</em> (LA): barracks buiding housing a <em>centuria</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Herculiani</em> (LA): 'Hercules's own'; tetrarchic elite legion.<br>
<em>Hexeris</em> (LA): 'six banked galley'; heavy war ship.<br>
<em>Hiberna</em> (LA): winter quarters.<br>
<em>Hippago</em> (LA): horse transport.<br>
<em>Hipparchos</em> (GR): cavalry commander.<br>
<em>Hippeus</em> (GR): cavalryman.<br>
<em>Hippeus lègionarios</em> (GR): legionary cavalryman.<br>
<em>Hippeus singoularis</em> (GR): guard cavalryman.<br>
<em>Hippeus tès legioonos</em> (GR): legionary horseman.<br>
<em>Hippika gymnasia</em> (GR): 'cavalry sports'; spectacular demonstration manoeuvres in which two teams of cavalrymen showed off their horsemanship and weapons skills.<br>
<em>Hippikon</em> (GR): cavalry.<br>
<em>Hippotoxotès</em> (GR): horse archer.<br>
<em>Hodopoios</em> (GR): pioneer; road-surveyor.<br>
<em>Holosidèros</em> (GR): heavily armoured soldier; Greek term for <em>cataphractus</em> (LA) or <em>clibanarius</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Honesta missio</em> (LA): honourable discharge.<br>
<em>Honesta missio ex causa</em> (LA): honourable discharge granted to wounded or sick soldiers.<br>
<em>Hoplomachia</em> (LA): weapons training.<br>
<em>Hoplon</em> (GR): weapon.<br>
<em>Hoplitès</em> (GR): heavy armed soldier.<br>
<em>Hoplitikon</em> (GR): the heavy armed; Greek equivalent of <em>gravis armatura</em> (LA).<br>
<em>Horrea</em> (LA): granaries.<br>
<em>Hospitalitas</em> (LA): 'hospitality'; quartering and provisioning arrangements.<br>
<em>Hospitium</em> (LA): forced billeting.<br>
<em>Hostis</em> (LA): enemy.<br>
<em>Hyparchos</em> (GR): officer.<br>
<em>Hypaspistès</em> (GR): guard soldier.<br>
<em>Hypèretès</em> (GR): staff officer.<br>
<em>Hypothema</em> (GR): counter plate.<br>
<em>Hyssos</em> (GR): spear; Greek equivalent for <em>pilum</em> (LA).<br>
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<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=sandervandorst@romanarmytalk>Sander van Dorst</A> at: 4/20/03 7:07:53 pm<br></i>