Legatus legionis

Legatus legionis Campaign history of the Roman military
Active	- August 476
Country	Ancient Rome
Type	Infantry
Part of	Roman Legion
Garrison/HQ	Castra
Patron	Mars
Equipment	Gladius, Scutum, Galea
Insignia
Senatus popolusque romanus and l'Aquila legionaria

Legatus legionis was a title awarded to legion commanders in Ancient Rome.

History

By the time of the Roman Republic, the term legatus delegated authority (usually a consul or proconsul). Julius Caesar made wide use of the title throughout the Gallic Wars.^[1]

From Augustus, the emperor gave the title of legatus legionis to senior commanders (former military tribunes) of a legion, except in Egypt and Mesopotamia, where the legions were commanded by a praefectus legionis of an equestrian rank. The legatus legionis was under the supreme command of Legatus Augusti pro praetore of senatorial rank. If the province was defended by a single legion, the Legatus Augusti pro praetor was also in direct command of the legion.

A legatus legionis could order capital punishment.^[2]

The senatorial legatus legionis was removed from the Roman army by Gallienus, who preferred to entrust the command of a legionary unit to a leader chosen from within the equestrian order who had a long military career.

This post generally lasted 3 or 4 years, but could be much longer.^[3] A legatus legionis was usually from a wealthy or important family.^[4]

In literature

• The book Voluptas by Jonathan Shane O'Brien contains a character, Vincent, who is a legatus legionis.^[5]
• The Eagle series by Simon Scarrow features Vespasian, the future Emperor, during his years as legatus legionis of the Legio II Augusta during the Roman conquest of Britain.

Bibliography

• EB Thomasson, Legatus: Beiträge zur römischen Verwaltungsgeschichte, Stockholm, Göteborg, 1991
• Sir William Smith, A dictionary of Greek and Roman antiquities, Volume 1, Ed. William Wayte and George Eden Marindin, 3rd Edition, J. Murray, 1901^[6]
• L. Keppie, The Making of the Roman Army, from Republic to Empire, 1984.

References

1. Smith (1901) Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities Vol. 1 PA797. Books.google.com. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
2. Smith (1901) Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities Vol. 1 PA811. Books.google.com. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
3. "Roman Legion". Unrv.com. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
4. "The Roman Army Essay". Exampleessays.com. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
5. "Voluptas (9780982188200): Jonathan Shane O'Brien: Books". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
6. A dictionary of Greek and Roman... - Google Books. Books.google.com. 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2011-04-16.