Unit Browser for RTR: Imperium Surrectum

Short description

The Tribunus Militum is a general given overall command of a Legion.

Description

In the Republican period, there were six tribunes appointed to each legion. Authority was given to two at a time, and command rotated among the six. Tribunes were men of Senatorial status appointed by the Senate. To attain the position of tribune, one only needed to be a member of the ruling class - ability was not considered. Additionally, in the early Republic, military tribunes were sometimes chosen in place of the annually elected consuls to be the heads of the Roman State. These are known in Latin as 'tribuni militum consulari potestate', "Military Tribunes with Consular Authority." Instead of the usual two consuls, between four and six military tribunes were elected for the year. The reasons for this choice are obscure, though Livy often cast the decision according to the class struggles he saw as endemic during this period, with patricians generally favouring consuls and plebs the military tribunes. This practice eventually fell out of use after 366 BC, and Tribunes were limited to command of Rome's Legions, while larger armies of multiple legions and their associated Italian alae were commanded by the consuls.

This bodyguard is made up of the best-equipped and best-mounted troops Rome can provide. To that end, they are armed with spears, and protected by cuirasses and large shields. They can act as a mobile reserve in battle, keeping the general safe in the clash of melee while charging home as heavy shock cavalry.