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Auxilary-hastat

Евсеенков А.С.

Auxilia (Latin auxilia) - a warrior of the auxiliary units of the ancient Roman army, recruited from non-citizens of Rome: vassal and allied peoples, as well as foreign mercenaries. One of the most common types of auxiliary troops were spearmen armed with a spear (gastum) and a small shield (clipeus).

In addition to spearmen, there were several types of auxiliaries, including light cavalry, archers, and slingers. What united them primarily was their common origin. Unlike legionaries, they were recruited from subject peoples who were not Roman citizens and therefore did not enjoy the rights of Roman citizens. Recruitment was partly through hiring and partly through compulsory conscription from dependent peoples. These warriors did not belong to the regular composition of legions but formed separate units called "auxilia", the size and organization of which could vary considerably. The length of service, after which an auxiliar could acquire Roman citizenship rights, reached 25 years. Auxiliary units were replenished, as a rule, in the provinces where they were stationed. There is a considerable amount of information available about auxiliaries. Numerous visual and written sources have been preserved.

Auxiliary-spearman. Trajan's column. Early second century
Tombstone of Auxiliarus Lycaeus of the First Pannonian Cohort (Lat. Cohors I Pannoniorum). Museum of Wiesbaden, Germany. Second half of the 1st century AD
Tombstone of Auxiliary Annai Daverz of the auxiliary IV Dalmatian cohort (Lat. Cohors IV Delmatarum) from Bingium. Roman Hall Museum, Bad Kreuznach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Second half of the 1st century AD

Equipment

The equipment of an auxiliary spearmen during the 1st-2nd century AD could consist of the following items:

Fabric/Leather Items:

Protective Equipment incorporating metal:

Weapons items:

Additional Accessories:

Not all equipment items were universally used. For example, according to visual sources, auxiliaries often fought without armor. Additionally, auxiliaries could be armed with lances and serve as skirmishers.

Image of a Roman auxiliary with lanceae. Bas-relief of the pedestal of one of the columns that decorated the courtyard in front of the complex of buildings of the headquarters (praetorium and principia) of the citadel of the Roman city of Mogontiac (Latin Mogontiacum, modern. German city of Mainz). "Land Museum", Mainz, Germany. Second half of the first century AD

Reenactment

If we consider the most traditional portrayal of an auxiliary spearmen, it is advisable to focus on simpler helmet designs, while the hamata lorica would be the most suitable armor. The main differences between periods would lie in the choice of helmet, gladius, and pugio, which should be approached with special attention.

Creating the image should start with the basic elements of the minimal kit: a woolen tunic in green, blue, red, undyed, or gray shades, footwear (caligae/calcei), and a belt (cingulum).

Auxiliary, reconstruction
Auxiliary, reconstruction
Auxiliary, reconstruction

Related topics

Auxilia, Penula, Sagum, Focale, Subarmalis, Tunic, Braccas, Subligaculum, Caligae, Calceus, Lorica squamata, Lorica hamata, Cingulum, Gasta, Gladius, Pugio, Clipeus, Fibula, Liner, Socks, Legion, Legionnaire

Literature

The Auxilia of the Roman Imperial Army.pdf

Auxilia Moesiae Superioris.pdf

De cohortibus cantabrorum et de vexillis et cantabris // Sabino Perea Yébene. Universidad de Murcia. 2010

Military Encyclopedia // Edited by V. F. Novitsky et al., St. Petersburg: I. V. Sytin Publishing House, 1911-1915, vol. 3.

Gallery

Auxiliary-spearman. Trajan's column. Early second century
Auxiliary-spearman. Trajan's column. Early second century
Auxiliary-spearman. Trajan's column. Early second century
Tombstone auxilaria A firm from the auxiliary Rhaetian cohort (Latin cohors Raetorum). Rhenish Local History ("land") Museum, Bonn, Germany. 1st century AD
Bosporan tombstone of Rodon, son of Helios, early 1st century AD
Auxiliary-spearman. Trajan's column. Early second century
Auxiliarus-spearman. 2-3 century AD.