Transcript slides

Augustus’ Reforms of the Legions
1. Reduced army to 25-26 legions (150,000 men)
2. Standardised pay and length of service (16
years, gradually increased to 25 during reign)
3. Continued settling veterans on their own lands
with additional privileges (at state expense
after 6 AD)
4. Discharge reward changed to 3,000 denarii
in 13 BC
Praetorian Guard
1. Imperial bodyguard composed of Roman
citizens
2. c. 5,000 men, of which only 1,500 in Rome
3. Hand picked, well-paid, enjoy shorter term of
service (12-16 years)
4. Protected emperor or family on campaigns
5. Later influenced imperial succession
The Legions
1. Numbered from I to XXII, and also named
2. Offered wages, food, clothing, other benefits
3. Mostly from Italy
4. Consisted only of free-born Roman citizens
Legion
legatus legionis
tribunus laticlavius (senatorial tribune)
5 equestrian tribunes + praefectus castrorum
cohort I
12 “centuries”*
(960 men)
cohorts II-X
6 “centuries” each*
(480 men each)
*each headed by a centurion, and including principales (optio
[deputy centurion], signifer [standard bearer] and tesserarius
[guard sergeant]), immunes (specialists) and milites (legionaries)
pilum (javelin)
helmet
woollen tunic
lorica segmentata (armour)
gladius (short sword)
scutum (shield)
heavy sandals
Auxiliary Units
1. Cohors peditata (six [sometimes ten]
“centuries” of infantry, under praefectus
cohortis)
2. Cohors equitata (mixed unit of either 380
infantry and 120 cavalry or 760 infantry
and 240 cavalry)
3. Ala (cavalry unit commanded by praefectus
alae, consisting of 16 turmae [troops,
sometimes 24] of 32 men plus decurio)
Auxiliary Units
1. Initially under native chieftains, later under
Roman officers of equestrian rank
2. Rank and file were rarely Italians and even
more rarely Roman citizens. Mostly from
Gaul, Spain or Thrace. Had to be free born
3. Received regular pay and some benefits. No
fixed term of service
4. Supported legions and patrolled provinces