Name Origin of Name Time of Creation I Adiutrix pia fidelis Assistant, i.e. raised to supplement the legionary strength Nero I Italica Raised in Italy Nero I Macriana Raised by Clodius Macer Nero I Flavia Minervia After Minerva Domitian I Parthica Raised for campaigns in the East Severus II Adiutrix pia fidelis Assistant, i.e. raised …
The fighting equipment and dress of the auxilia present a very complicated picture. Not only were there changes from time to time, but most of the units were differently equipped from the beginning. The only literary description which has survived is from the time of Hadrian about the army in the east. The armoured cavalry …
City gods were the pride of the ancient municipalities they were destined to watch over. As civilizations throughout the ancient world flourished, from the Mediterranean to the Fertile Crescent, cities both grand and humble were founded. With these cities came the all-powerful gods that guided them. After all, during times of uncertainty, it would be …
What does the word chaos mean? Out of chaos comes order. But someone needs to create that chaos in the first place. That’s why most ancient cultures believed that there was someone – or something – up there in the material universe, wreaking havoc before the other gods came along and put a stop to …
The Recruit of the Republican Armybefore the Reforms of Marius War offered the Roman citizen of the republic the possibility of returning covered in glory, having won both land and money. To the Romans of the early republic serving in the legion and war itself were the same thing. For Rome had no army unless …
The Men from the Ranks The main supply for the centurionate of the legions came from the ordinary men from the ranks of the legion. Though there was a significant number of centurions from the equestrian rank. Some of the late emperors of the empire prove very rare examples of ordinary soldiers who rose all …