Cohors quingenaria equitata

Table of Organisation & Equipaggiamento

Cohors quingenaria equitata is the Roman denominazione of a partially mounted cohort con a nominal strength of 480 fanti e 128 cavalieri. The table below is based on the organization of Cohors II Raetorum civium Romanorum equitata, an auxiliary formation raised in the province of Raetia which covered the Italian Alps, Tyrol, Grischuna, eastern Switzerland, eastern Württemberg, e southern Bavaria. The entire cohort had been granted Roman citizenship in recognition of distinguished service. The picture shows a reproduction of the oval shield (scutum) used by Cohors II Reatorum.

In 138 D.C., Cohors II Raetorum was transferred to the Roman fortification of Saalburg, just north of Frankfurt/Main, in the Roman province of Germania Superior (upper Germania). The new Saalburg garrison provided immediate support for a section of the Limes Germanicus, a fortified borderline separating Germania Superior from the Cherusci, Chatti, Marcomanni, e many other tribes settled in unpacified Germania Magna. Limes Germanicus, ed its south-eastern continuation, Limes Raeticus, consisted of 900 watchtowers con 550 km of wooden palisade in front. The 370 km stretch of Limes Germanicus was later strengthened by a dry ditch e rampart immediately behind the palisade; Limes Raeticus eventually received a wall which connected the towers.

The soldiers of Cohors II Raetorum built a larger, e stronger fortifaction on the site of a wooden castle dating back to the 88-89 D.C. ribellione in Germania Superior, e they maintained the watchtowers e palisades in their sector of the Limes Germanicus. The unit was based at Saalburg until the Limes had to be given up in 260 D.C., e the Roman army withdrew to the Rhine river line. Recruits for Cohors II Raetorum were drawn from the area around Saalburg.

Cohors quingenaria equitata

• Praefectus (Cohort Commander)
  • Centuria
    • Centurio (Captain)
    • Optio (Lieutenant)
    • Signifer (NCO Standard Bearer)
    • Tessarius (NCO)
    • Approximately 80 footsoldiers
      • Immunes (privates first class)
      • Pedites (footsoldiers)
  • Centuria (same as above)
  • Centuria (same as above)
  • Centuria (same as above)
  • Centuria (same as above)
  • Centuria (same as above)
  • Turma
    • Decurio (cavalleria Captain)
    • Duplicarius (NCO on double pay)
    • Sesquiplicarius (NCO on one-and-a-half pay)
    • Approximately 30 mounted soldiers
      • Immunes (privates first class)
      • Equites (mounted soldiers)
  • Turma (same as above)
  • Turma (same as above)
  • Turma (same as above)

Actual unit strength varied between 500 e 600 men, enough to repel raiding parties e minor incursions. In the event of determined enemy attacks, the Saalburg garrison would receive support from Legio XXII Primigenia Pia Fidelis based at Mogontiacum (Magonza), Legio VIII Augusta based at Argentoratum (Strassbourg), o Legio III Italica re-deployed to Castra Regina (Ratisbonane), in the province of Raetia, by Marc Aurel (161-180 D.C.).

Bibliografia

• le costume et les armes des soldats de tous les temps, L. & F. Funcken, Vol. 1, p. 65

Domande più frequenti

Per ulteriori informazioni, per favore contatta la redazione di Rivista Military Miniatures nel Miniatures Forum.

Soldatini Antichi

– Pubblicato: 1996 – Aggiornato: 18.06.2008
© 1996-2011 by IDL Software GmbH, Darmstadt, Germania. Tutti diritti reservati.