Tribunus angusticlavius

A tribunus angusticlavius ("narrow-striped tribune"; pl.: tribuni angusticlavii) was a senior military officer in the Roman legions during the late Roman Republic and the Principate.

Tribunus angusticlavius

The tribunus angusticlavius was a junior military tribune who was at least 20 years old,^[1] chosen from among the Equestrian order, as opposed to the tribunus laticlavius, who was chosen from the Senatorial class. There were five to each legion, identified by a narrow purple stripe (angustus clavus or angusticlavus) on their tunics.^[2] Despite their youth, the tribunes had previous experience, usually as a praefectus leading a quingenary auxiliary cohort.^[2] Their duties varied, mostly staff work, but also lead two cohorts.^[3] The next step of promotion was often as praefectus of a 500-strong cavalry ala.^[2] There were 141 of these at a time.^[4]

References

1. Sara, Phang; Iain, Spence; Douglas, Kelly; Peter, Londey (2016). Conflict in Ancient Greece and Rome [3 volumes]: The Definitive Political, Social, and Military Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 1273. ISBN 9781610690201.
2. Southern, Pat (2007). The Roman Army: A Social and Institutional History. Oxford University Press. p. 332. ISBN 0195328787.
3. Sara, Phang; Iain, Spence; Douglas, Kelly; Peter, Londey (2016). Conflict in Ancient Greece and Rome [3 volumes]: The Definitive Political, Social, and Military Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 1140. ISBN 9781610690201.
4. Maxfield, Valerie A. (1981). The Military decorations of the Roman army. University of California: University of California Press. p. 241. ISBN 9780520044999.