Numerus (Roman military unit)

As a number (Latin numerus, plural numerical; literally: " number", mutatis mutandis: "Unity " ) was referred to a small but usually independently operating unit auxiliary troops of the Roman army.

Definition

Number designated in the Roman military organization initially some unspecified unit of the army. Subsequently, this term established from the 2nd century for smaller units, which were often recruited by barbarian tribes.

Number originally meant " the crowd ", that is, those units were excavated only when needed and disbanded when their use again. At a later time, but these troops walked to a standing associations. They were among the Roman auxiliary troops, but were not as well drilled as the Auxilia that were a regular part of the Roman army. Their relatives were (= not strangers, in possession of Roman citizenship ) enlisted as peregrini and served to support border troops. They also differed in terms of their armament and organization not substantially different from the regular troops. However, their legal status and prestige was still below the auxiliaries. Apparently not automatically received the Numbers after their release from active duty, the Roman citizenship.

Development

The Numbers emerged at the end of the 1st century, when the first forts along the Limes were built. The demand for smaller units for border surveillance grew over time enormously, which also had financial consequences for the Empire. So young volunteers were dug and reassigned with lower wages and standard of education in the newly established locations at the border. They were used by Emperor Hadrian among others as scouts ( exploratori ) or observers. The strength of a numerus was initially between 140 and 160 man, that was approximately two standard Centuries ( centuria ) of a Roman legion. In later times, but also larger Numbers have been provided. Over time, even the Romans went into these units, so that the irregular character of these troops slowly disappeared.

Unit designations

For all Numeriformationen notice that they - lead next to the name of troops no order number - unlike legions and auxiliaries. The Numbers were usually referred to by its original ethnic origin, such as number Exploratorum Germanicianorum Divitiensium (right bank of the Rhine Germania ) or numerus Brittonum ( UK). In unit terms, but their function or even geographical concepts were often included, such as when stationed in Upper Germany and Britain

• Numerus Brittonum Elantiensum (on the Elz )
• Numerus Brittonum Murrensium ( an der Murr ), or the
• Numerical defensorum ( guard / defender), and the
• Numerical exploratorum ( reconnaissance ).

Vexillations stationed over a longer period in an outpost and far away from their parent unit, were also referred to as numeric. In this case, the place name is added to the device name, such as Cattharensium ( fort Alteburg-Heftrich/Taunuslimes ). In later times, these names have been retained as a tradition names on without even having a concrete reference to the origin and the current composition of the force.

Officers

As commander of a number, a simple member or veteran centurion was in the normal case ( centurion ) of a legion or Auxiliartruppe abkommandiert and called Praepositus Numbers. But also tribune ( tribune numeric ) or even prefect ( praefectus nu ) were used for this, since the units had increased in late antiquity partially Since the beginning of the 3rd century.

Numeruskastelle

The Numeruskastelle on the Rhine ( Rhenus ) and upper Danube ( Danuvius ) covered an area average of 0.6 to 0.8 ha As the fort Hesselbach shows the older Odenwald Limes, here was a tactically self-contained unit, as it has its own headquarters building ( Principia ) and commander of residence possessed. The approximately 120 to 160 -strong crew was organized into four Centuries and housed in four barracks. Numbers of this strength manned certainly adjacent, yet smaller systems such as Rötelsee at Welzheim (12 to 20 men ) to a number of 80 men.

Further examples of such forts are in Germany, the castle Kapersburg the Upper Germanic Limes, the fort Ellingen, the fort on the Rhaetian Limes Böhming and the castle Boiodurum in Passau on the Danube Limes Insstadt.