Dictionary of Greek and Roman antiquities. Ed. by William Smith. Illustrated by numerous engravings on wood.

EXERCITUS. EXERCITUS. 4951
posed of men in the full vigour of life, divided in triple, containing 3 manipuli, 180 privates, 6 cenlike manner into fifteen maniples, all heavily armed turions, and 3 vexillarii. In these triple manipuli
(scutati omnnes), and distinguished by the splendour the veterans or triarii proper formed the front
of their equipments (insignibus maxime armis). The ranks; immediately behind them stood the Rorarii,
two lines of the Hastati andPrincipes taken together inferior in age and prowess (mninus roboris aetate
amounted to thirty maniples and formed the Ante- factisque), while the Accensi or supernumeraries,
pilani. The third line, the Triarii, composed of less trustworthy than either (minimce fiduciae
tried veterans (veteranu militem spectatae virtutis), manure), were posted in the extreme rear. The
was also in fifteen divisions, but each of these was battle array may be thus represented.
}~-1 - l | l l l t of Hastati.
I _ _l _ii I I I I I! 15 Manipuli
of Principes.
Triarii proper i I i
15 triple
Rorarii..I I [ | L | I I J lanipuli orf
Accensi. Triarii.
The fight was commenced by the Rorarii, so In deference to a great name, we ought not to
called because the light missiles which they omit mentioning that Niebuhr (Hist. of Rone,
sprinkled among the foe were like the drops which vol. iii. p. 97), while he admits that the text of
are the forerunners of the thunder shower (Festus Livy is sound and consistent with itself, argues,
s. v. Rorarios nmilites), who, running forward be- we venture to think, somewhat unreasonably, that
tween the ranks of the antepilani, acted as tirail- he did not understand his excellent materials, and
leurs; when they were driven in they returned to although clear at first, became eventually completely
their station behind the triarii, and the battle bewildered and wrote nonsense.
began in earnest by the onset of the hastati; if Third Period. Polybiss. - Polybius describes
they were unable to make any impression they re- minutely the method pursued in raising the four
tired between the ranks of the principes, who now legions, which under ordinary circumstances were
advanced and bore the brunt of the combat, sup- levied yearly, two being assigned to each consul.
ported by the hastati, who had rallied in their rear. It must be observed that a regular consular arIny
If the principes also failed to make an impression, (justus consularis exercitus) no longer consisted of
they retired through the openings between the Roman legions only, but as Italy became gradually
maniples of the triarii, who up to this time had subjugated, the various states under the dominion
been crouched on the ground (hence called sub- of Rome were bound to furnish a contingent, and
sidiarii), but now arose to make the last effort the number of allies (socii) usually exceeded that
(whence the phrase rem ad triarios redisse). No of citizens. They were, however, kept perfectly
longer retaining the open order of the two first distinct, both in the camp and in the battle field.
lines, they closed up their ranks so as to present 1. After the election of consuls was concluded,
an unbroken line of heavy armed veterans in front, the first step was to choose the twenty-four chief
while the rorarii and accensi, pressing up from be- officers of the legions, named tribuni militum, and
hind, gave weight and consistency to the mass, - by the Greek writers XlXriPXoL. Of these, fouran arrangement bearing evidence to a lingering pre- teen were selected from persons who had served
dilection for the principle of the phalanx, and ex- five campaigns of one year (annua stipendica, E'syavhibiting, just as we might expect at that period, (rtous aTpaTreLas) and were termed juniores (ol ec65the Roman tactics in their transition state. It rTEOL roev XLXLCdpXWp), the remaining ten (seniores,
must be observed that the words ordo, manipulus, 7rpc(ruvrE'po0), from those who had served for ten
yexilium, although generally kept distinct, are campaigns. The manner of their election will be
throughout the chapter used as synonymous; and explained below, when we treat more particularly
in like manner, Polybius, when describing the of the legionary officers. (Polyb. vi. 19.)
maniple, remarks (vi. 20), Kal Trb a,'v prposr ca- 2. All Roman citizens whose fortune was not
a-Toy Ercderoav ical rdciyLa Aicl orepav seal slcyaial. rated under 4000 asses were eligible for military
Livy concludes by saying, that four legions were service from the age of manhood up to their fortycommonly levied, each consisting of 5000 infantry sixth year, and could be required to serve for
and 300 horse. We must suppose that he speaks twenty years if in the infantry, and for ten years,
in round numbers in so far as the infantry are con- if in the cavalry. Those whose fortune was below
cerned, for according to their own calculations the the above sum were reserved for naval service,
numbers will stand thus:- except in any case of great necessity, when they
Hastati.. 15 x G0 900 also might be called upon to serve for the regular
Principes. 15 x 60 - 900 period in the infantry.
Triarii, &c.. 15 x 3 x 60 2700 The consuls having made proclamation of a day
Centuriones.... 150 upon which all Roman citizens eligible for service
Vexillarii.. - 75 must assemble in the Capitol, and these being in
attendance at the time appointed in the presence of
4725 the consuls, the tribunes were divided into four