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Romans in Britain - Glossary of military terms Category: History and Culture > Romans Date & country: 12/12/2007, UK Words: 983

Socii Nominis Latini
'Allies of the Latin name'. Latin league allies.

Socius
Ally.

Solliferreum
Javelin made wholly of iron.

Spatha
Sword. often, but by no means invariably a sword with a long blade.

Spathè
Sword.

Spathè makra
Long sword.

Speculator
A - scout/spy. B - mounted legionary or praetorian serving as bodyguard and executioner.

Speculator Augusti
Cavalryman attached to a praetorian cohort.

Speira
Military unit.

Speira stratègis
Greek term for cohors praetoria . unit of imperial guard.

Sphendonètès
Slinger.

Spiculum
Javelin. late Roman pilum successor.

Spina
Reinforcing spine on shield.

Spolia
Spoils. plunder.

Spolia opima
The plundered weapons and equipment of a conquered enemy champion or commander. To dedicate the spolia opima brought great prestige.

Spongia
Samnite triple disc body armour.

SPQR
Acronym for S(enatus) P(opulus)Q(ue) R(omanus). the senate and people of Rome.

Statio
A - military post. B - tour of duty.

Statio expleta
Completed tour of duty.

Statio frumentariorum
Post of military intelligence service.

Statio vigilum
'Watch post'. police post annex fire department station.

Stationarius
Soldier stationed on outpost.

Statmouchos
A - billeting official. B - civilian housing soldiers.

Stator
Military policeman.

Stellatura
Deduction made by officer from a soldier's allowance.

Stephanos
Helmet crest.

Stigma
Mark, tattoo.

Stimulus
'Goad'. type of defensive trap.

Stipendarius
Soldier serving for pay.

Stipendiosus
Soldier serving for pay.

Stipendium
A - regular soldier's pay. B - year of military service.

Stratarchès
Legionary commander.

Stratègos
Commander. general.

Stratègos hypatos
'Supreme commander'. Greek term for consul .

Strateia
A - military service. B - equestrian officer post. Greek equivalent of militia .

Stratia
Army.

Stratiè
A - army. B - legion.

Stratiootès
Soldier.

Stratopedarchè
Commander. Greek term for praefectus castrorum .

Stratopedon
A - camp. B - legion.

Strator
Soldier in charge of horse supply to the army.

Striga
Pair of barracks housing a manipulus .

Sub aquila
'Under the eagle'. on active duty.

Sub cura
Under the care of.

Sub iugum missus
POW who passed under the yoke.

Sub signis
'Under the standards'. in military service.

Sub vexillo
'Under the flag'. veteran duty with lighter service.

Subarmalis
A - arming doublet. B - type of spear, possibly a short javelin.

Suboptio
'Under optio'. naval soldier subordinate to an optio .

Subpraefectus
Subordinate commander.

Subsidia
Supporting troops. auxiliaries.

Subsignanus miles
Soldier on active duty.

Sudis
Stake.

Summus curator
Senior administrator in charge of supply.

Suovetaurilia
Sacrifice of a pig, sheep and bull.

Symmacharis
Ally. auxiliary.

Symmachikon
Allied or auxiliary force.

Symmachos
Ally.

Symphoniacus
Flute player. musician indicating the rowing speed on smaller war ships.

Synaspismos
A - locked shields formation. B - Greek term for testudo .

Synedrion
Military council.

Syntagma
Military unit.

Synteleia tiroonoon
Conscription levy.

Sysstratiootès
Fellow soldier, brother-in-arms.

Tabula ansata
Winged board.

Tabularium
Administrative department.

Tabularium equitum
Administrative office of the legionary cavalry.

Tagma
Military unit. term used by Josephus for legion.

Tarentinos
Light cavalryman armed with javelins.

Taxiarchos
Senior military officer. used as equivalent of tribunus .

Taxis
Military unit.

Tector
Cavalry trooper equipped with large shield.

Tegimentum
Protective garment worn over armour.

Tegimentum scuti
Protective shield cover.

Telos
Military unit. word used by Josephus for legion.

Telum
Missile.

Terebra
Siege machine for drilling holes in walls.

Tèroon
Recruit.

Tertius ordo
'Third officer'. A - centurion of the third cohort of a legion B - naval officer of uncertain rank.

Tès hippou stratègos
'General of the cavalry'. Greek term for magister equitum , a senior late Roman commander.

Tessera
Writing tablet.

Tesserarius
NCO in charge of the watchword.

Testamentum militare
Military will. soldiers were granted the right to make a will that did not have to conform to all formal legal requirements.

Testudo
Tortoise formation.

Thoorakitès
Skirmisher equipped with body armour.

Thoorax
Body armour.

Thoracomachus
Padded armour.

Thyreophoros
'Shieldbearer'. A - any soldier equipped with body shield B - light infantryman equipped with large shield in Hellenistic armies.

Thyreophoros lonchophoros
Shieldbearing javelineer. legionary javelineer deployed in the four rear ranks of Arrian's battle formation.

Thyreos
Large shield.

Thyreos epimèkès
Oblong shield.

Tibiale
A - legging. B - greave.

Tiro
Recruit.

Tirocinium
Recruit's first campaign.

Titulum
Stretch of wall and ditch in front of a marching camp gate.

Tolleno
Siege crane.

Tormentum
Torsion gun.

Torques
Neck ornament awarded as military decoration.

Tou tagmatos hippikon
Legionary cavalry.

Toxon
Bow.