Tasks and age of Military Tribunes during the Late Republic and Principate

[Corvus]

I am specificallycificly interested in the angusticlavii tribunes, but information on senatorial military tribunes is welcome as well.

I couldnt find any infos about their specific tasks. What did they do in battle and on a normal daily basis? 
And how old were they? Were the narrow stripe tribunes as the senatorial ones?

[Nathan Ross]

What did they do in battle and on a normal daily basis? And how old were they? Were the narrow stripe tribunes as the senatorial ones?

These questions are rather easier to answer for the principiate than for the late republic, but detailed information is a bit scanty for any era!

In brief: during the republic there were six tribunes alloted to each legion (there was no distinction between types of tribune at this point). Most were probably in their early twenties, many of them the sons of senators or other prominent men, and their posts would have been gained via patronage: Cicero arranged a tribunate for a friend, who seems to have acted as a legal advisor on campaign.

Some tribunes do seem to have had combat experience, although what sort of role the officer ended up taking probably depended on his aptitude and inclinations. The threads linked below have some examples of tribune roles under the republic.

Under the empire the situation was different. The laticlavius (broad stripe) tribune was a young candidate for the senate, and would have served for a couple of years shortly after completing the vigintivirate junior magistracy at 18 or so. The oldest known senatorial tribune, I think, was aged 21. Their role seems to have been to accompany and observe the legion legate, gaining experience (and connections, probably) that would help them in their future careers.

The angusticlavius (narrow stripe) tribunes were military professionals of the equestrian order, serving the second of three traditional posts (the tres militiae). Many seem to have held positions in provincial or city government, or as priests of imperial cults, beforehand, and would already have served several years as cohort prefects before beginning their tribunate. Eric Birley estimates that the average age of a legion tribune was around 38, although there are cohort prefects of 23-24 recorded in inscriptions, so presumably some men started their careers earlier and may have become tribunes in their later twenties.

Again, duties varied. Pliny served as an equestrian tribune and spent his time auditing the books of neighbouring auxiliary units. Aemilius Macer, in the 3rd century, wrote that the tribune's duties were "To keep the troops in camp, to bring them out for training, to keep the keys of gates, from time to time to go the rounds of the guards, to be present at the soldiers' mealtimes and to test the quality of their food; to keep the quartermaster from cheating, to punish offences, to hear the soldiers' complaints and to inspect their sick quarters." (Digest XXXXIX.16).

Other men, however, apparently fought in battle, some leading detachments of their legion on campaign, and recorded their service on their tombstones.

For more detailed information, including some helpful quotes and references, you might like to look through these two older threads:

The role of the Tribunes in the republican legion

Military Tribunes and their significance

[Steven James]

Nathan wrote:
In brief: during the republic there were six tribunes alloted to each legion (there was no distinction between types of tribune at this point).

Livy (7 4) “That year (365 BC), for the first time, the military tribunes were elected by the popular vote; previously they had been nominated by the commander-in-chief, as is the case now with those who are called Rufuli.”

Festus (368L) RUFULI. “Thus were called the tribunes of soldiers appointed by the consul and not by the people, whose rights had been determined by a law proposed by Rutilius Rufus, and which took various precautions against them. (Indeed, they had been classified in such a way that preponderance belonged to those who had been created by the votes of the people.) According to the nickname of Rutilius, they were first called Rufi and in the following Rufuli.”

Another term for a military tribune is “comitiati.” It could be that a comitie was elected by the people and a “rufuli” selected by a consul.

[Nathan Ross]

On the subject of the ages of tribunes, the youngest known example appears to be Sicinius Maximus (AE 1913, 00172) who died at Viminiacum as tribune of Legio IIII Flavia, aged only 23. He had previously served as decemvir stlitibus judicandis, however, so he may have been a laticlavius tribune.

C Julius Pudens (CIL 03, 06758) died at Ancyra while serving his second tribunate with Legio XII Fulminata at the age of 30, so he must have served his first in his later twenties.

M Titius Proculus (AE 2003. 01530) was also 30 when he died, as tribune of IIII Flavia in Moesia. Versenius Granianus (CIL 11, 1937) from Perugia served two tribunates and died aged 32, although whether he was still in the army at the time is unclear.

There are several other tribunes attested as dying in their mid to late thirties. Aurelius Gallus (CIL 11, 705) from Bologna was a tribune of Legio VII Claudia and died 'in the Thracian war' aged 40. Two tribunes from Mauretania Caesariensis both died aged 45 (CIL 08, 08940 & 09381), although it's not clear whether they were still in the army at the time of death. Crescens Licinianus (AE 1905, 00240) also came from Mauretania and died at Carnuntum as a tribune aged 46, so he was presumably still in service.

The oldest tribune I can find was aged 61, although he was almost certainly retired. The oldest still serving at the time of death might be the tribune Rufinus, who died at Bremenium while commanding I Vardullorum (a milliarian cohort commanded by a tribune), who 'lived 48 years, 6 months, 25 days', according to the inscription set up by his wife.

So while the average age of a legion tribune based on age at death would be around 40, the majority were probably younger, lived longer, and went on to further posts. The youngest known cohort prefect, incidentally, was aged only 14 (AE 2006, 00019), while there are several other prefects who died aged 21-24, who presumably would have gone on to be tribunes in their mid twenties, had they lived.

As for the praefecti alae, the third rung of the tres militiae, aside from one anomalous and perhaps Augustan 19-year-old praefectus equitum, the youngest known example died aged 39 and most of the small sample are in their 40s or 50s, with the oldest at 66 - although most of them would have retired from the army before they died.

M Macrinius Avitus Vindex (CIL 06, 01449) served as cohort prefect, legion tribune and twice as cavalry prefect, won military honours in the Marcomannic war and was appointed procurator of Dacia before being promoted (adlected) to the senate and appointed governor of both Moesias and suffect consul, all before dying at the age of 42 in AD176. Unless he was holding his posts for a very short period of time, he must have been legion tribune in his late twenties and would have held his first cavalry praefecture in his early to mid thirties.

[Corvus]

Some tribunes do seem to have had combat experience, although what sort of role the officer ended up taking probably depended on his aptitude and inclinations. The threads linked below have some examples of tribune roles under the republic.

Thanks! Very informative discussions. 

Again, duties varied. Pliny served as an equestrian tribune and spent his time auditing the books of neighbouring auxiliary units.

Was he an equstarian tribune though? And if he was, how did he manage to go straight to Tribunate at such young age without prior command expirience?

Aemilius Macer, in the 3rd century, wrote that the tribune's duties were "To keep the troops in camp, to bring them out for training, to keep the keys of gates, from time to time to go the rounds of the guards, to be present at the soldiers' mealtimes and to test the quality of their food; to keep the quartermaster from cheating, to punish offences, to hear the soldiers' complaints and to inspect their sick quarters." (Digest XXXXIX.16).

Other men, however, apparently fought in battle, some leading detachments of their legion on campaign, and recorded their service on their tombstones.

Wouldnt it made the most sense for Tribunes to lead Cohorts? The non combat tasks honestly sound not very "significant"

---

Nathan wrote:
In brief: during the republic there were six tribunes alloted to each legion (there was no distinction between types of tribune at this point).

Livy (7 4) “That year (365 BC), for the first time, the military tribunes were elected by the popular vote; previously they had been nominated by the commander-in-chief, as is the case now with those who are called Rufuli.”

Festus (368L) RUFULI. “Thus were called the tribunes of soldiers appointed by the consul and not by the people, whose rights had been determined by a law proposed by Rutilius Rufus, and which took various precautions against them. (Indeed, they had been classified in such a way that preponderance belonged to those who had been created by the votes of the people.) According to the nickname of Rutilius, they were first called Rufi and in the following Rufuli.”

Another term for a military tribune is “comitiati.” It could be that a comitie was elected by the people and a “rufuli” selected by a consul.

If I remember correctly Caesar was elected Military Tribune in the beginning of his career, so this distinction even existed after the marian reforms I guess.

---

On the subject of the ages of tribunes, the youngest known example appears to be Sicinius Maximus (AE 1913, 00172) who died at Viminiacum as tribune of Legio IIII Flavia, aged only 23. He had previously served as decemvir stlitibus judicandis, however, so he may have been a laticlavius tribune.

C Julius Pudens (CIL 03, 06758) died at Ancyra while serving his second tribunate with Legio XII Fulminata at the age of 30, so he must have served his first in his later twenties.

M Titius Proculus (AE 2003. 01530) was also 30 when he died, as tribune of IIII Flavia in Moesia. Versenius Granianus (CIL 11, 1937) from Perugia served two tribunates and died aged 32, although whether he was still in the army at the time is unclear.

There are several other tribunes attested as dying in their mid to late thirties. Aurelius Gallus (CIL 11, 705) from Bologna was a tribune of Legio VII Claudia and died 'in the Thracian war' aged 40. Two tribunes from Mauretania Caesariensis both died aged 45 (CIL 08, 08940 & 09381), although it's not clear whether they were still in the army at the time of death. Crescens Licinianus (AE 1905, 00240) also came from Mauretania and died at Carnuntum as a tribune aged 46, so he was presumably still in service.

The oldest tribune I can find was aged 61, although he was almost certainly retired. The oldest still serving at the time of death might be the tribune Rufinus, who died at Bremenium while commanding I Vardullorum (a milliarian cohort commanded by a tribune), who 'lived 48 years, 6 months, 25 days', according to the inscription set up by his wife.

So while the average age of a legion tribune based on age at death would be around 40, the majority were probably younger, lived longer, and went on to further posts. The youngest known cohort prefect, incidentally, was aged only 14 (AE 2006, 00019), while there are several other prefects who died aged 21-24, who presumably would have gone on to be tribunes in their mid twenties, had they lived.

As for the praefecti alae, the third rung of the tres militiae, aside from one anomalous and perhaps Augustan 19-year-old praefectus equitum, the youngest known example died aged 39 and most of the small sample are in their 40s or 50s, with the oldest at 66 - although most of them would have retired from the army before they died.

M Macrinius Avitus Vindex (CIL 06, 01449) served as cohort prefect, legion tribune and twice as cavalry prefect, won military honours in the Marcomannic war and was appointed procurator of Dacia before being promoted (adlected) to the senate and appointed governor of both Moesias and suffect consul, all before dying at the age of 42 in AD176. Unless he was holding his posts for a very short period of time, he must have been legion tribune in his late twenties and would have held his first cavalry praefecture in his early to mid thirties.

Thank! The carreer of M. Macrinus sounds quiet impressive.

[Nathan Ross]

Was he an equstarian tribune though? And if he was, how did he manage to go straight to Tribunate at such young age without prior command expirience?

Pliny the younger's military service is a bit of a mystery - he started out as an equestrian, but later became a senator, so which type of tribune he was at the time is unclear, I think. Perhaps he served only a brief stint intended to equip young equestrians for higher things without having to go through the full tres militiae?

Pliny the Elder, meanwhile, did the full three command positions back in the 40s-50s.

Wouldnt it made the most sense for Tribunes to lead Cohorts?

It might make sense to us, but perhaps not to the Romans! It seems that (legion) cohorts did not have a dedicated commander.

[Flavius Inismeus]

Was he an equstarian tribune though? And if he was, how did he manage to go straight to Tribunate at such young age without prior command expirience?

Pliny the younger's military service is a bit of a mystery - he started out as an equestrian, but later became a senator, so which type of tribune he was at the time is unclear, I think. Perhaps he served only a brief stint intended to equip young equestrians for higher things without having to go through the full tres militiae?

I'm certain Pliny the Younger was a decemvir stlitibus iudicandis, then a laticlavius - having embarked upon the senatorial cursus honorum, how could he serve as an equestrian tribune? Syme in "Pliny's Early Career," RP VII (1991), p. 552-553, and Chastagnol in "La fortune d'un sénateur: l'exemple de Pline le Jeune," Le Sénat romain à l'époque impériale (1992), p. 146, have him as a laticlavius.

[Nathan Ross]

having embarked upon the senatorial cursus honorum, how could he serve as an equestrian tribune?

Ah yes, you're surely right. I was confused by Pliny becoming sevir equitum romanorum after his tribunate, but it seems that other holders of this honorary office were bound for entrance to the senate. So although he's nowhere actually described as laticlavius (as far as I know) we can probably assume this was his position.

[Flavius Inismeus]

having embarked upon the senatorial cursus honorum, how could he serve as an equestrian tribune?

Ah yes, you're surely right. I was confused by Pliny becoming sevir equitum romanorum after his tribunate, but it seems that other holders of this honorary office were bound for entrance to the senate. So although he's nowhere actually described as laticlavius (as far as I know) we can probably assume this was his position.

Thank you for the explanation, now I see. Serving senators could and did take up the sevirate too - there's a prosopography in L'ordre équestre sous les Julio-Claudiens (1988) by Ségolène Demougin, pp. 226-240, that has a few ex-pretors, as well as tribunicians and quaestorians. 

https://www.persee.fr/doc/efr_0000-0000_1988_ths_108_1