The Roman Army: A Social and Institutional History - Karatunov.net

Appendix
Rank Structure in the Roman Army
Legatus Augusti pro praetore
O f f i cers
Commander in chief of all the armed forces in a single province. A senator who
had reached the consulship, with experience of civil administration posts and
army commands in different parts of the Empire. Responsible for the civil government
and the defense of his province, commanding up to four legions, and
several auxiliary units. Promotion and next post: the governor of a garrisoned
province was at the zenith of his career. He could hope for a second consulship
and a post as govern or of a larger provi n ce su ch as Britain or Syri a , the two
most prestigious appointments of the Empire.
Legatus legionis
Legi on s
Com m a n der of a legi on . A sen a tor who had served as a military tri bune and
had experience of civil posts. Legionary legates were appointed by the emperor
and usually served for about three years, commanding 5,000 to 6,000 men. Promotion
and next post: as propraetor, or governor of an unarmed province for
two or three years, with predominantly civilian administrative duties, then election
to the consulship.
Tribunus laticlavius
“ Broad stri pe” tri bu n e , s econd in command of a legi on . A young man of t h e
senatorial class, but not yet a senator, in his first important military post, usually
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