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Auxiliary Units

Auxiliaries (from Latin: auxilia = "supports") formed the standing non-citizen corps of the Roman army of the Principate (30 BC–284 AD), alongside the citizen legions. By the 2nd century, the auxilia contained the same number of infantry as the legions and in addition provided almost all the Roman army's cavalry and more specialized troops (especially light cavalry and archers). The auxilia thus represented three-fifths of Rome's regular land forces at that time. Like their legionary counterparts, auxiliary recruits were mostly volunteers, not conscripts.

Auxiliary troops were mainly recruited from the peregrini, i.e. free provincial subjects of the Roman Empire who did not hold Roman citizenship and constituted the vast majority of the empire's population in the 1st and 2nd centuries (ca. 90% in the early 1st century). Auxiliaries also included some Roman citizens and probably barbarians (barbari, as the Romans called peoples located outside the Empire's borders). This was in contrast to the legions, which admitted Roman citizens only.

The auxilia developed from the varied contingents of non-Italian troops, especially cavalry, that the Roman Republic used in increasing numbers to support its legions after 200 BC. The Julio-Claudian period (30 BC–68 AD) saw the transformation of these motley temporary levies into a standing corps of regiments with standardized structure, equipment and conditions of service. By the end of this period, there were no significant differences between legionaries and most auxiliaries in terms of training, or thus combat capability.

Auxiliary regiments were often stationed in provinces other than the province in which they were originally raised, to increase the process of Romanization and unification of the provinces into a single empire. The regimental names of many auxiliary units persisted into the 4th century, but by then the units in question were different in size, structure, and quality from their predecessors.

Regardless of what unit or type of unit you were in a Roman officer was always placed in charge of the unit. Generally it was either a Prefect or a Tribune who was the commanding officer. The reason behind this was to train new and young officers on how to run large military units, and for the Romans to keep control over the units. There were three basic auxiliary units throughout the Roman Republic/Empire. The first was infantry or spearmen, the next were cavalry, and missile unit (archers, slinger, javelin, etc.). Depending on where the person came from sometimes dictated on what type of auxiliary unit he would be placed into. If your people were well known horsemen then chances were they you were going to placed into a cavalry unit.

For the purposes of our reenactment group we encourage new recruits that if you are looking into joining as an auxiliary that you join as either an infantry unit or an archer/slinger. This is due to the fact that we neither own horse, have access to them, nor can we transport them to events. Below is a basic list of items for an auxiliary kit.