Legatus legionis
 Campaign history of the Roman military | |
|---|---|
| Active | - August 476 |
| Country | Ancient Rome |
| Type | Infantry |
| Part of | Roman Legion |
| Garrison/HQ | Castra |
| Patron | Mars |
| Equipment | Gladius, Scutum, Galea |
| Insignia | |
| Senatus popolusque romanus and l'Aquila legionaria |
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Legatus legionis was a title awarded to legion commanders in Ancient Rome.
History
By the time of the Roman Republic, the term legatus delegated authority (usually a consul or proconsul). Julius Caesar made wide use of the title throughout the Gallic Wars.[1]
From Augustus, the emperor gave the title of legatus legionis to senior commanders (former Tribunes) of a legion, except in Egypt and Mesopotamia, where the legions were commanded by a praefectus legionis of an equestrian rank. The legatus legionis was under the supreme command of Legatus Augusti pro praetore of senatorial rank. If the province was defended by a single legion, the Legatus Augusti pro praetor was also in direct command of the legion.
A legatus legionis could order capital punishment.[1]
The senatorial legatus legionis was removed from the Roman army by Gallienus, who preferred to entrust the command of a legionary unit to a leader chosen from within the equestrian order who had a long military career.
This post generally lasted 3 or 4 years, but could be much longer.[2] A legatus legionis was usually from a wealthy or important family.[3]
In popular culture
- Most famously, on Maximus' left arm in the movie Gladiator. As a slave, he removes it using a sharp instrument (possibly a sharpened stone) as he feels betrayed by the leaders of Legatus legionis.
- The book Voluptas by Jonathan Shane O'Brien contains a character, Vincent, who is a legatus legionis.[4]
- The book When the Eagle Hunts by Simon Scarrow features General Vespasian (who became Emperor in 69 AD), when he served as legatus legionis in Britain.
- In Fallout: New Vegas, the Legate Lanius was a Legatus Legionis.
- In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Legate Rikke is a Legatus Legionis.
Bibliography
- EB Thomasson, Legatus: Beiträge zur römischen Verwaltungsgeschichte, Stockholm, Göteborg, 1991
- Sir William Smith, A dictionary of Greek and Roman antiquities, Volume 1, Ed. William Wayte and George Eden Marindin, 3rd Edition, J. Murray, 1901[5]
- L. Keppie, The Making of the Roman Army, from Republic to Empire, 1984.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Smith (1901) Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities Vol. 1. Books.google.com. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
- ↑ "Roman Legion". Unrv.com. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
- ↑ "The Roman Army Essay". Exampleessays.com. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
- ↑ "Voluptas (9780982188200): Jonathan Shane O'Brien: Books". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
- ↑ A dictionary of Greek and Roman... - Google Books. Books.google.com. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
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