The Unsung Heroes of the Roman Army: A Look at the Auxiliary Units

🛡️The Roman Auxiliary Units consisted of non-Roman citizens who brought unique military skills to the battlefield.

🏹Auxiliaries served in specialized units, including infantry, cavalry, archers, and horse archers.

🌍Auxiliary units could become ethnically mixed over time, and the Romans respected local traditions within these units.

💼Auxiliaries performed administrative tasks and mimicked the organizational structure of the legions.

🎖️Some auxiliaries were granted Roman citizenship for their exceptional service.

What were the roles of the Roman Auxiliary Units?

—The Roman Auxiliary Units played a support role for the legions, performing tasks such as providing additional infantry, cavalry, archers, and horse archers during military campaigns. They also served in administrative roles and carried out various non-combat duties.

What were the advantages of serving in the Roman Auxiliary?

—Serving in the Roman Auxiliary offered the opportunity to acquire military skills, receive a salary, and potentially gain Roman citizenship. However, promotion opportunities and retirement benefits were generally less favorable compared to legionaries.

Were all auxiliaries non-Roman citizens?

—Not all auxiliaries were non-Roman citizens. Some units consisted of Roman citizens who chose to serve in the auxiliary forces, and others were granted Roman citizenship for their exceptional service.

Did the Roman Auxiliary Units have their own social structures?

—Yes, the Roman Auxiliary Units maintained their own social structures, which included addressing their native officers with local titles and practicing their local religions. They often had distinct languages and cultural traditions within their units.

What were the main differences between the Roman Auxiliary and legionaries?

—The Roman Auxiliary Units faced lower status, lower pay, longer service periods, and fewer promotion opportunities compared to legionaries. Legionaries, on the other hand, enjoyed higher prestige and retirement benefits.

00:00Ancient Roman sources show a hierarchical separation between the Roman army, with legions representing pure Roman citizens and auxiliary units consisting of non-Roman citizens.

02:32Auxiliary units were hired for their unique military skills and native combat style, which complemented the strengths of the legions.

05:28Auxiliary units varied in composition, including purely infantry, cavalry, archers, horse archers, or a combination of all.

07:02Some auxiliaries were granted Roman citizenship for their exceptional service, and their units could become ethnically mixed over time.

08:18Auxiliary units mimicked the organizational structure of the legions and performed administrative tasks in addition to their combat roles.

09:45Despite their important contributions, promotion opportunities and retirement benefits for auxiliaries were generally less favorable compared to legionaries.