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

G l o s s a ry 341
tribunus plebis: officials drawn from the plebeian classes (plebs) to represent their
interests at meetings of the Senate. Tribunes were allowed to veto any proposals
made by senators if they were considered detrimental to the plebs.
triumph: a triumph was granted by the Senate to victorious generals, who valued this
opportunity to show off their captives and the spoils of war by processing along the
Via Sacra in Rome to the Temple of Jupiter. The triumphator rode in a chariot with
his face painted red. Beside the triumphator stood a slave constantly reminding him
that he was mortal. The triumphator was then supposed to approach the temple on
his knees to dedicate the spoils. Augustus recognized the inflammatory nature of
the triumph and took steps to limit it to members of the Imperial family. Other
generals were denied the procession and were granted triumphal ornaments
instead (ornamenta triumphalia).
tuba: a long straight trumpet
tubicen: soldier who blew the tuba to transmit signals
turma: smallest unit of an ala or the mounted contingent of a cohors equitata,
commanded by a decurio and probably containing thirty-two men
valetudinarium: hospital
velites: light-armed infantry of the Republican army
veterinarius: veterinarian, used for civilian practitioners as well as soldiers; also listed
as medicus veterinarius
vexillarius: bearer of the vexillum
vexillatio: a detachment of troops, often drawn from different units to fulfill a
temporary purpose
vexillationes: late Roman cavalry units, possibly instituted by Gallienus. Their
strength is disputed, perhaps consisting of 500 men, but some scholars argue for
about 1,000.
vexillum: military standard of fringed cloth, usually red or purple, hung from a cross
bar on a lance
viaticum: traveling money, given to new recruits who had passed their probatio to
help them on the journey to the units to which they had been assigned
vicarius: governor of a diocese, answerable to the Praetorian Prefects
vicus: a rural village or an area within a town. In the military context it refers to the
civilian settlement outside a Roman auxiliary fort. See also canabae
vigiles: the fire brigade of the city of Rome, organized in military fashion by Augustus