GLOSSARY
A
A DIVINIS - Suspended “a divinis”; the expression refers to a disciplinary action taken by church authorities towards a priest/minister who thus cannot exercise his priestly powers.
A FORTIORI - With stronger reason.
A LIBELLIS - Secretary to the Emperor assigned to handle petitions, libelli.
A POSTERIORI - After the event.
A PRIORI - Before the event.
A.D. - Anno Domini; from the year of our Lord Jesus Christ.
AB ABSURDIS - see ab absurdo
AB ABSURDO - From absurd, from folly; it is used mainly in geometry when some demonstrations are derived from erroneous conditions, ab absurdo, at the beginning of the demonstration itself.
AB AETERNO - From eternity, from always. Also found as ab eterno.
AB ANTIQUO - From antiquity; since old times.
AB EXTRA - from without.
AB IMIS - see ab imis fundamentis
AB IMIS FUNDAMENTIS - (abbrev. ab imis), from the very foundations. It is said of something that needs total renovation, to be done again from the bottom-up. This phrase was used by Francis Bacon:”Instauratio facienda ab imis fundamentis”, the renewal must be done from the very foundation.
AB IMMEMORABILI - from immemorable times.
AB IMO PECTORE - From the bottom of the heart.
AB INITIO - From the beginning.
AB INTRA - From within
AB INTUS - From the inside.
AB IRATO - With anger, from anger.
AB OVO - From the beginning.
AB OVO USQUE AD MALA - From the egg to the fruit; i.e. from the beginning to the end. Found in the first book of Satirs, by Horace.
AB UNO DISCE OMNES - From (only) one you will know all (the others). From book II of The Eneid in which, the trick carried out by the Greek Sirone, allowed the entry of the wooden horse, into Troy.
ABSIT AMEN - May there be no ill omen.
ABSIT INVIDIA - Let there be no ill-will
ABSIT INVIDIA VERBO - Let it be said without prejudice, without the intention to offend. These are words of the historian Titus Livius.
ABUSUS NON TOLLIT USUM - Abuse does not condone the use of: legal rule of the Roman Code whereby the practice or enjoyment of an illegality does not invalidate the law that forbids it.
ABYSSUS ABYSSUM INVOCAT - The abyss calls (another) abyss; an evil attracts another evil; an error causes another error. From Psalm 41.
ACCENSI - Reserve troops who followed the army as supernumeraries to take the place of those who fell in
battle. Also a acivil assistant to a public officer.
ACHERONTA MOVEBO - Strong determination to reach the objective no matter what it takes. The phrase was used by Virgil in the Eneid “flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo”: If I cannot bend the Gods in heaven, I will move hell.
ACIES
Line of battle; Prima Acies, first line of batlle. Media Acies, middle line of battle.
ACTA - Official documents, acts. Today it is used for scientific publications of academic institutions and
professions.
ACTUARTUS - Clerk who kept accounts. Compare with the term actuary we use today.
AD ABUNDANTIAM - Until there is plenty; until it burst. In modern times used to mean, “if that was not enough; additionally; to exaggerate
AD AUDIENDUM VERBUM - To listen to the word. It is used to refer to one’s superior when the latter is giving instructions, decisions, or reprehensions.
AD AUGUSTA PER ANGUSTA - For highs through narrows. Through difficulties high goals can be reached.
AD CALENDAS GRAECAS - At the Greek calends, i.e. never, as the Greek calendar did not have calends. This phrase is attributed to the Roman historian Suetonius, and to the Emperor Augustus who used it to refer to those chronic issues that were never resolved.
AD EXCLUDENDUM - As an exclusion.
AD EXPERIMENTUM - By way of experiment, as a trial.
AD FINEM - To the end.
AD HOC - For this special object.
AD HOMINEM - To the measure of the man. It is used in connection with anything that is related to a person. In philosophy it is used to argue and convince the other person taking, as a starting point, the level of knowledge of the other person, whether that is true or false; see ad personam.
AD HONOREM - In honour. When one receive an office which carries no executive powers, hence an honorary post.
AD INFINITUM - Taken to infinity.
AD INTERIM - Temporarely, provisionally. It is used to refer to an office, post, taken while waiting for a designated person to be nominated and posted to that office. In the meantime.
AD LIBITUM - (ad lib.) for the sake of pleasure
AD LIMINA - The early Christian used to prostrate themselves at the entrance to cathedrals/churches of the apostles Peter and Paul. Ad limina therefore
means “at the threshold”. Today it is used to refer to the 5-yearly visit that each Roman Catholic bishop makes to the Pope.
AD LITTERAM - Literally; when a translation is done word by word.
AD MAIORA - To higher things. It is used to wish even more success to those who have already achieved success.
AD MAIOREM DEI GLORIAM - For the greater glory of God. Motto of the order of Gesuits.
AD MAIOREM DEI MEMORIAM - To remember something even better. Found in inscriptions and abbreviated A.M.R.M.
AD METALLA - Sentence of forced labour in a
mine passed on a prisoner.
AD MULTOS ANNOS - Many happy returns, to wish you long life.
AD NAUSEAM - To the point of disgust.
AD PATRES - (abbrev. of ire ad patres), To go to the ancestors, i.e. to pass away.
AD PERPETUAM REI MEMORIAM - For ever to be rememberd; found on monumemts and inscriptions.
AD PERSONAM -
1- To (for) the person; it is used to refer to events or references concerning an individual person.
2- When a title, appointment or privilege is granted ad
personam, i.e. is not transferable; see ad hominem.
AD REFERENDUM - For consideration.
AD REM - To the point; to return to our subject; used after a digression to mean: “let’s go back to the subject in question”. An alternative expression is REDITUR AD REM: to return to the subject.
AD TEMPUS - At the proper time.
AD UNGUEM - To the fingernail, i.e. to perfection, derived from the first book of Horaces’s Satyres, who refered to the practice of Roman sculptors to check the smoothness of their sculptures with their fingernails.
AD UNUM OMNES - To a man all.
AD VALOREM - According to value.
AD VERBUM - With clarity and precision.
ADDENDA - Things that must be added.
ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA - Things that must be added and corrected.
ADESTE FIDELES - Come, o ye faithful.
ADIUTOR - A common name for a military officer. Adjutant.
ADSUM - I am here; present!
AEDES - 1-House; 2-In a fort, the centre room at the
end of the principia, the headquarters building.
AEDICULA - Small niche surrounded by columns and an architrave. A small temple such as those still found along many streets and houses in Italy.
AEDILIS - Town magistrate who supervised the day-to-day administration of the city, such as maintaining order, effect prosecutions for non-political offenses,
repairing streets, maintain public works, inspect buildings and make provisions for adequate corn
supplies for the city. Until 22 BC aediles (pl.) also controlled public games, on which they often spent much of their private wealth.
AEQUAM MEMENTO REBUS IN ARDUIS MENTEM
In grave situations, remember to keep calm. Taken from Horace’s.
AEQUO ANIMO - With a tranquil soul, heart.
AERARIUM - The State Treasury.
AERARIUM MLITARE - Military treasury.
AETERNUM VALE - So long for ever.
AGER - Arable land.
AGGER - Rampart; a mound of earth used in defence works.
AGMEN - A military marching column.
AGRIMENSOR - A surveyor, see Metatores.
ALA
1- (pl. alae) Side wing; opening to right or left at the far end of an atrium.
2- Cavalry regiment.
ALBO NOTANDA (OR SIGNANDA) LAPILLO DIRES
A day to be marked with a white stone, derived from the habit by Roman families to mark with black or
white stones bad from good days, respectively.
ALBUM - 1- White 2- Board covered in white chalk and used in public buildings for writing notices.
ALEA IACTA EST
The dices are thrown; the historian Suetonius referred to Julius Caesar when in 49 B.C. he crossed the
Rubicon, which signalled the beginning of the Civil war between Caesar and Pompey.
Today this phrase is used to indicate a final decision that cannot be undone.
ALIAS - Abbreviation of alias dictus, otherwise known; a.k.a., also known as.
ALMA MATER - Benign mother; used to refer to one's own university.
ALTER EGO - Another person like myself; a close friend.
ALTER IDEM - Another exactly the same.
AMBULATURAE - Field manoeuvres, military practices.
AMEN - Verily; derived from "amen, amen dico vobis"; verily, verily I say unto you.
AMETHYSTUS - Amethist: bluish-violet precious
stone to which the Romans attributed supernatural powers which prevented the usual effects of excessive drinking. It would be worn on a ring or brooch or pendant as a gemstone.
AMOR PATRIAE - Love of one's country.
AMPHORA - Vessel with two handles used to
hold liquids, especially wine or oil; usually made of clay.
AMULUM - Wheat starch for which cornflour is a good substitute. Used to thicken sauces.
AN - Abbreviation of annorum; of... years, of age; lived ... years. From annus, pl. anni, gen. pl. annorum.
AB INTESTATO - Without testament; a person (the testator) who did not leave a will after passing away.
ANGLICE - Medieval Latin from Anglicus (in English). Example: Venezia, anglice Venice.
ANNO AETATIS SUAE - in the year of his (or her) age.
ANNO DOMINI- A.D.- in the year of our Lord.
AB URBE CONDITA - A.U.C.- from the year of the foundation of the City (Rome).
ANNONA MILITARIS - Annual military tax. A tax in kind (com) from the province which the Wall defended.
ANNUS HORRIBILIS - year of disasters
ANNUS MERABILIS
year of wonder.
ars longa vita brevis
art is long life is short.
ANTEMERIDIAM
before noon
ANTEFIXA
Ornamental gable-tiles;
ANTESIGNASUS
Elite legionary. Soldier who
fought in the front line, before the
standards with lighter arms.
According to Arrian the front
lines were
eight rank deep. The first four
ranks -the first line- were armed
with
the pilum, the four rear ranks -the
second line- had lanceae which
they
hurled over the heads of those
before them.
ANTIQUA ORDINATIO
Old order. According to Vegetius
a legion of the Republic consisted
of
10 cohorts. Each cohort had 5
centuriae, each of 100 men, and
66
cavalry. Every century had also
10 decani, one decanus for each
10
soldiers. A centurion therefore
commanded 110 men, 100
legionaries and
10 decani. The first cohort was
twice as strong, therefore 10
times 110
men, or 1100 men, plus 5
centurions, making a total of
1105.
APERTIS VERBIS
With clear words, very openly.
APOCHAE
Receipts issued by a creditor to
acknowledge repayment of debt.
APODYTERIUM
Changing room at the bath house.
AQUILA
Eagle standard which was carried
by each legion. During the
empire it was made of gold. See
Vexillum.
AQUILIFER
Senior standard bearer, the one
who carried the eagle (aquila).
ARBITER ELEGANTIARUM
(QRELEGANTIAE)
A judge in matters of taste.
ARCHITECTUS
Architect.
AREA
The open part of a Vestibulum.
AREANI
Frontier scouts who operated
north of Hadrian's Wall. In
England
they were disbanded in A.D. 368.
ARMA ANTESIGNANA
Weapons of those who fought
before the standards.
ARMA POSTESIGNANA
Weapons of those who fought
behind the standards.
ARMILLA
Arm band; a rniltary decoration.
ASAFOETIDA
Essence of
AT UTUMQUE PARATUS
Ready for anything, for either
eventuality.
ATLANTES
Supports in the form of carved
male figures.
ATRIUM
For a long time this was the most
important room in a Roman
house, Domus.
It was generally the largest room
and exhisted in some shape or
other in
all houses, great or small. The
Atrium was always placed
opposite to the
principal entrance, the Ostium,
and following the Prothyrum. In
nearly
all cases it had an aperture called
Impluvium (impluere = to rain
upon) in
the centre of the ceiling, open to
the sky, and with the surrounding
roof
sloping towards it in order that
the rain could be conducted down
and
fall into a reservoir called
Compluvium, formed in the floor
of the
atrium.
The atrium was the main room of
the family, friends and visitors
were
received there. Originally, the
fireplace (focus) of the house was
placed in the centre and all the
cooking was done there; this was
convenient as the smoke could
escape through the impluvium.
A small
alter was erected next to the focus
AUGUR
A priest who examines natural
happenings to see if they are
propritious.
AUGUSTALES
Group of freedmen who
celebreted the cult of the
emperor, instituted by
Tiberius in honour of Augustus.
AULOS
A pipe with a shrill note used at
sacrifices to drown any noise.
AUT VINCERE AUT MORI
death or victory.
AUXLIARES
Soldiers other than legionaries.
B
BALLISTA
A military machine to throw
projectiles. Originally it was
different from a Catapulta which
was used to for throwing
arrows, but afterwards
interchanged with it.
BALLISTARIUM
A catapult-platform as can be
seen at High Rochester.
BALLISTARTUS
Gunner
BALNEUM
Bath house.
BALTEUS
Baldric; a sword belt passing over
the shoulder,
BASILICA
Colonnaded public hall in the Forum, used for commercial transactions and the dispensing of justice.
BASILICA EQUESTRIS
EXERCITATORIA
A cavalry drill-hall. The Roman
name is recorded in an
inscription at Netherby. Little is
known of these halls
in Britain. At Haltonchesters one
was built during the
Severan reconstruction.
BASILICA EXERCITATORIA
A drill hall.
BENEFICIARIUS
Soldiers who, through the favour
of their commanders, were
exempt from menial services such
as throwing up entrenchments
and foraging, they were the
orderlies, or rather aides, of
senior officers. In the late 2nd
century we find the
beneficiarius used as a custom
officer. There was one at
Housesteads. At Risingham an
altar to Mogons was erected by
a beneficiarius consularis.
BIPENNIS
Double-bladed axe.
BIREME
A gallery with two bands of oars.
BIS DAT QUICITO DAT
He/she who offers without
hesitation offers twice.
BIS IN IDEM
"twice in the same thing", i.e.
ehrn one falls in the same trap,
twice
over, or commits the same error
more than once.
BIS vivrr QUI BENE VIVIT
"Twice lives, who lives well", i.e.
who lives his/her existence
without
worries lives longer.
BONA FIDE
In good faith
BRACAE
Trousers or breeches originally
worn by barbarians. Later, in
cold climates, the legionaries
were allowed to wear bracae of
leather. They were skin tights and reached below the knee. BRATAE MEMORIAE of blessed memory. BREVIMANU It refers to something that is personally delivered without intermediaries.
BUCCELLATA
Biscuits. Corn-meal baked hard
and used when on campaigns.
BUCCELLATA
Soldiers' biscuits. Corn-meal
baked hard and used when on
campaigns.
BUCINA
A crooked horn or trumpet (the
tuba is usually straight). It was
used for ceremonial occasions
and for regulating the watches.
Ad prima bucinam^at the first
watch.
Ad secundam bucinam= at the
second watch.
The soldiers that blew them were
called bucinatores.
BUCINATORES
Soldiers who blew the bucina for
regulating watches, or for
ceremonial occasions.
BURGUS
Watch-tower.
CFC
Abbreviation of Coniunx
Faciendum Curavit, used in
tombstones.
CAETRA
A short Spanish shield.
CAETRA
Small round shield.
CAETRATI
Troops armed with the caetra.
CALDARIUM
Hot room in the baths.
CALIGA
A military shoe or boot.
CALO
A servant (usually a slave) acting
as a batman for the legionaries.
CAMEO
Stone with two or more layers of
colours such as onyx or sardonyx
decorated in relief.
CANABA
A hovel or hut, a "booth". Name
used for a civilian settlement
(vicus) round a legionary fortress.
The people were called
canabenses.
CANABENSES
Local people who lived in huts or
canabae round a legionary
fortress.
In sufficient number they made
up a vicus. The vicus at
Housestead
shows a clear evolution from
canabae to small stone built
houses.
CAPITAL
Crowing member of a column.
CAPSA
Box (especially for papyrus rolls).
Used by a capsarius to keep
bandages (fascie) in the field of
battle.
CAPSARIUS
1- Medical orderly, he was a
dresser or bandager who carried a
round
box of bandages (capsa) in the
field.
2- Also used for a slave who took care of the clothes in the baths. CARCER
(pi. carceres) Underground room at the amphitheatre where gladiators and
wild beasts waited their turn to fight. CARDO
Road from north to south. CARMINA NON DANT PANEM
Poetry does not feed you, it does not allow you to make a living. CAROENUM
Very sweet wine reduced to one-third of its volume through boiling, and mixed with honey. CARPE DIEM enjoy the present day. CARROBALLISTA A ballista mounted on a carriage. CASSIS A helmet, see galea.
CASTRUM
Roman fort.
CASUS BELLI
something that involves war.
CATAPHRACTUS
Armoured cavalryman.
Cataphracts, or rally armoured
horsemen, were
used in the Roman Army in the
time of Hadrian. His Governor
of
Cappadocia in A.D. 137, in his
famous work on tactics, wrote:
"in
the armoured cavalry
(cataphraetarii) both horse and
man are protected,
the horses on the sidess and front,
the rider with body-armour of
mail and thigh guards." Fora
fine reconstruction of a
cataphractus
refer to "The Armour of the
Roman Legions", by H. Russell
Robinson, 1980.
CATAPULTA
Arrow shooting machine.
CATTUS
Moveable shed as protection for
beseigers (also called pluteus or
vinea).
CAVEA
Lower section of tiered seating in
the theatre or amphitheatre.
CELLA
Inner sanctum of a classical
temple housing the cult statue.
CELLA OSTIARII
Small lodge or box occupied by a
porter (lanitor or Ostiarius) sited
somewhere in the vestibulum or
near the main entrance of a
house. The
lanitor kept watch observing all
who passed in or out of the house.
CENA
Evening meal. One of two meals
in the army, see Prandium.
CENSOR
Chief registrar and leading
financial officer at Rome. He
kept the lists
which recorded the property and
status of the citizens, and was
ultimately responsible for the
collection of revenues. By virtue
of
their powers censors came to have
a moral authority over the whole
state.
CENTAUR
Mythical creature, half man and
half horse.
CENTENARII
Early name for centurion.
CENTURIA
In the early Republic, a unit of
100 men; later it became a unit of
SO
men,
CENTURIO
Captain, centurion.
CERA
Wax.
CERARIUS
A clerk. One who wrote on wax
(cera).
CERVUS
A chevaux-de-frise. A quick-set
thorn hedge, often used on
a slope for defence purposes.
CETERA DESUNT
The rest is wanting.
CETERIS OMISSIS
Other things omitted
CETERIS PARIBUS
Other things being equal.
CINGULUM
Belt.
CINGULUM MILITARE
Military belt.
CIPPUS
A wooden stake used as a
boundary mark or sharpened to
form
a protective wall.
CITHARA
Greek and Roman stringed
instrument.
CLASSES
The king, Servius Tullius,
removed the curiae and instituted
five social classes differentiated
according to their wealth.
The first class required to possess
at least 100000 assi.
The last class at least 12500 assi.
One ass approx. = Lit 100-130.
Polling took place by centuriae.
the first class had 98 centuriae.
In all there were 193 centime. In
practice the 1st class could
obtain a majority even without
support from the other classes.
CLASSICUM
A fanfare. Battle signal upon the
trumpet.
CLAVICULA
Method of defending a gate by a
ditch which swung outwards
in a curve, see Titulum.
CLIBANARIUS
A soldier clad in mail. See
cataphractarii.
CLIBANUS
Small oven for baking bread.
CLIENT
Man who in return for his
protection would help a powerful
patron in both
political and private life.
CLIPEUS
A round shield.
CLOACA MAXIMA
Great drain at Rome which still
carries water from the Forum
valley to
the Tiber.
COFFER
Recess in a ceiling which (a) led
to a saving in materials and (b)
provided an interesting play of
light and shade.
COHORS
Cohort. An infantry unit
normally consisting of either ten
(miliaria) or five (quingenaria)
centuries of 80 men.
COHORS EQUITATA
A unit of cohors consisting of
500 or 1000 men were part
infantry and part cavalry.
COLON!
Farmers who rented land from
conductores.
COLONIA
Colony, a settlement of Roman
citizens, usually army veterans,
founded on
a new site under the control of
Rome. Colonies enjoyed the his
Italicum,
excemption from land taxes.
COLUMBIARIA
A tomb with many niches.
COMES
Count. The title was created by
Constantine, cf. comes
litoris Saxonici.
COMITATENSES
Field armies as opposed to
frontier troops.
COMITIUM
Meeting place in the forum where
magistrates assembled for voting.
COMPLUVrUM
Square central opening in the
roof over the domestic atrium.
COMPOS MENTIS
sane
CONCILIUM
Council representing a conventus
or province.
CONDUCTORES
Chief tenants (contractores) of
land from the state aerarium.
CONSUL
One of two annually elected
officials: the highest magistracies
in the
Roman Republic.
CONTARII
A type of cavalry who were
armed in the nornal manner but
carried a contus, "the lance used
by the Persians,
Parthians and Sarmatian heavy
avalry. The only representation
of Roman contrarii is on the
Trajan Column where they
are shown in undress uniform
standing in a group holding their
horses with their great lances
held vertically.
Because the stirrup had not been
invented the effect of such
a lance as a shock weapon was
extremely limited."
H. Russel Robinson.
CONTUBERNIUM
Eight-man group of legionary
that lived and ate together.
CONTUS
A lance or pike.
CONUBIUM
The right to marry and raise
children by a soldier. When a
soldier was discharged from the
army he was given Roman
citizenship and conubium,
CONVENTUS
Meeting. In law: local assizes.
CORAM POPULO
in the presence of the people
openly.
CORNICE
Overhanging eaves of a Roman
building.
CORNICEM
A horn blower.
CORNICULARIUS
The head of the administartive
staff in a legion. Pay clerks
reported to
him. In a fort he usually
occupied the end right-hand side
room near the
tribunal, and the room next to it
in between the aedes (shrine), in
the
principia, the headquarters
building.
CORNICULARIUS
A secretary or adjutant of a
centurion or tribune, etc.
CORNU
A large curved horn. Associated
with the standards.
CORONA
1- A crown.
2- A military decoration
During the republic military decorations were won on merit regardless of rank. The most prized crown was won for the rescue of a besieged army, it was made of grass and called corona obsidionalis.
The corona civica, made of oak leaves, was awarded to a soldier who saved the life of a fellow citizen.
The corona muralis, in gold, was awarded to the first man over the enemy's wall during a siege and the corona vallaris, likewise in gold, to the first man over the rampart during a siege.The corona navalis was awarded for the capture of an enemy ship. It could only be worn by a consul.
During the Empire decorations
were restricted to certain
ranks and a single gold crown
(corona aurea) was awarded
to centurions and higher ranks.
COROPLAST
Worker in terracotta.
CORPUS DELICTI
the substance causing the offence;
the body of the victim of murder.
CORRIGENDA
things to be corrected.
CORVUS
1-Raven
2- (mil.) grapnel, a boarding
bridge, in naval terms.
CRATER
Large Greek vessel used for
mixing wine and water, a
common practice in
the ancient world.
CRISTA
The crest of a helmet.
CRISTA TRANSVERSA
Crest of a centurion which was
worn in a transverse position
and ornamented with silver so
that they could be easily
distinguished.
CUCULLUS
Hooded cloak worn by auxiliares
in cold weather.
CUT BONO?
for whose benefit is it (i.e. the
crime in a law case).
CUIRASS
Bronze breastplate.
CUM GRANO SALIS
with reservation with a grain of
salt.
CUNEUS
Unit of irregular cavalry. See
numerus.
CURATOR VETERANORUM
Men in a legion who were
serving after retiring age were in
a
separate unit under their own
commander (curator). CURATORES
Workers contracted for the up¬keep of Italian roads.
CURIA
Senate house on the Forum where the decurion council met.
CUSTOS ARMORUM
Armourer.
DE DIE IN DEEM from day to day DE FACTO actually in fact.
DE GESTIBUS NON EST DISPUTANDUM
there is no arguing about tastes.
DE JURE IN LAW by right.
DE MORTUIS NIL NISI BONUM
say nothing but good about the dead.
DENOVO anew
DE PROFUNDIS out of the depth. The first words of Psalm 130 DEAGRATIAS thanks be to God DECANUS Leader of ten men. DECUMANUS Road from east to west.
DECURIA
In the early Republic a unit of 10 knights supplied by each curia. Originally there were 30 curiae, and each curis supplied one centuria
(100 soldiers) and one ducuria. A legion therefore consisted of 3300 soldiers and knights.
DECURIO
A cavalry officer. - ,•(&-••
DEFRUCTUM
Cooking wine reduced to half its volume by boiling down before use.
After boiling the wine acuires a thick consistency. DEI GRATIA by the grace of God.
DENARIUS Principal silver coin of the
Romans, first minted in c. 211
EC. The
issuing magistrates would often
place on their coins types
referring to
their family history or their own
exploits.
DENTILS
Tooth-like decorative features
frequently used instead of a frieze
on an
ancient building.
DEO VOLENTE (D.V.)
God willing
DEPOSITA
Soldiers' saving bank.
DEUS ET MACHINA
literally a god out of the
(theatrical) machine i.e.a too
obvious device in the plot of a
play or story.
DIES NON
a day on which judges do not sit.
DIPLOMA
A certificate of Roman
citizenship.
DISJECTA MEMBRA
the scattered remains
DIVUS
Divine. In imperial Rome an
Emperor, after his death, was
elevated to
the rank of divus and made the
object of a cult. Only the
Emperors
Caligula, and Nero pretented to
become divi during their lifetime.
The
first divus was Romulus, the
founder of Rome, who is also
referred to as
the "divus Julius, pater patriae".
DM
Abbrev. of Dis Manibus: to the
spirit of the departed, inscription
found
on tombstones used for
sanctifying the memory of the
departed. Followed
by personal details of the defunct,
which if given in full, would
include
his full name, the father's name,
voting group, and birthplace. In
the
case of legionaries or soldiers, it
would include the voting tribe,
the
rank, and the length of service.
The inscription would close with
the
name of the heir who was
responsible for having the
tombstone erected.
DOLABRUM
Pick-axe. At one end was a
cutting edge, at the other a tine or
projecting point.
DOLIUM
(pi. dolia).
Large earthenware jar, globular
in jar, with a wide mouth.
DOMINIUM
Ownership of land.
DOMUS
Roman dwelling house; home;
aedes privatae.
DRACO
A standard in the form of a
dragon.
DRACONARIUS
A standard bearer. He carried
what is known as a dragon
standard
which was a streamer that
wriggled in the breeze like the
tail of
a dragon.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
the characters in a drama
DROMOS
Pathway leading up to the
entrance of an Etruscan tomb.
DUOVIR (pi. duoviri).
Two senior magistrates of a colony, elected annually by the whole
plebiscite, who presided over the decurion council and had law-giving powers.
DUPLICARIUS
Troop commander. A soldier
who receives double pay as a
reward.
DUPLICARIUS
second-in-command to a decurio.
DUX
Duke. The Notitia Dignitatum
records that a Dux Britanniarum
commanded the troops on the
Roman Wall.
ECCE HOMO!
behold the man pronounced by
Pilate St John c!9 v5.
EMERITUS
retired from office.
ENTABLATURE
That part of an ancient temple
between the capitals and the
cornice.
EPLURIBUS UNUM
one out of many (motto of the
USA)
EQUES
1- member of the equestrian order.
2- (mil) horseman, trooper,
knight
EQUITES
Cavalry; plural of eques.
EQUITES
Literally "knights", and originally
members of the cavalry service of
the
army, but later the upper middle
class in Rome which became an
effective
political force. The equites
controlled industries. Entry to
the rank
of the equites was limited by
property qualification.
EQUITES SINGULARES
Governor's bodyguards.
EQUO MERERE
Serve in the cavalry.
EQUUS :
Horse.
ERRARE EST HUMANUM
to err is human
ERRATUM
(pi errata) error
ERRATUM
(pi errata) error
ET CETERA
(etc.) and the rest.
ET SEQUENTES (ET SEQ.)
and those that follow. -»..«,,
EX CATHEDRA
from the chair of office hence
with authority.
EXLIBRIS
from the books... (followed by the
name of the owner)
EX OFFICIO
by virtue of his office.
EXPARTE
on one side partisan.
EXACTOR
Tac collector.
EXACTUS
Clerk.
EXEAT
let him go out; formal leave of
absence
EXEMPLI GRATIA (E.G.)
for example
EXEUNT OMNES
all go out
EXIT
goes out
EXOSTRA
A hanging bridge, applied by
besiegers to the walls of a
besieged
city.
EXPLORATOR
A scout.
FC
Abbreviation of Faciendum
Curavendum
FABRICA
A workshop.
FABRICENSES
Armourers.
FACILE PRTNCEPS
an easy first
FAIENCE
In an Egyptian context, a mixture
of sand and clay fired to a
temperature
at which the surface fuses to a
blue or green glaze.
FALCES MURALIS
Hooks on long poles with which
to pull down walls.
FASTIGATA
A V-shaped ditch.
FAUCES
This was a general name given to
narrow passages leading from one
part
of the house to another. There
was generally a fauces on each
side of
a Tablinum.
FELIX
Fortunate.
FELODESE
a suicide literally a "felon of
himself."
FESTINA LENTE
hasten slowly
FIAT LUX
let there bi light.
FIBULA
Ancient equivalent of a safety
pirn.
FIDEIDEFENSOR
defender of the faith.
FIGLINARIUS
Potter.
FINIS
to the end.
FISCUS
The Inland Revenue, tax.
FLAGRANTE DELICTO
in the very act red-handed.
FOEDERATI
Neighbouring people allied to
Rome. The first settlement of
foederati in Britain was in 417.
FONS ET ORIGO
the source and origin.
FORUM BOARIUM
Site of a cattle market at Rome in
the area between the Aventine
and the
Capitol, on the banks of the
Tiber.
FORUM ROMANUM
Geographical, social and political
centre of the city of Rome.
FOSSA
Ditch.
FOSSATUM
A flat-bottomed ditch.
FRETUM GADITANUM
Straits of Cadiz (Gades), i.e.
Gibraltar. So named by the
Romans because
of the proximity of Gades, the
oldest Spanish city.
FRIEZE
Band of relief decoration on a
Roman building.
FRIGIDARrUM
Cold room at the baths.
FRUMENTARIUS
Supplier of com. (Mil.)
Intelligence officer. n.v
FRUMENTUM
Corn, grain.
FULLONICA
Fulling works or tannery.
FURCA
Carrying pole on which the
Roman soldier carried his
equipment.
FUSTUARIUM
Cudgelling to death, a military
punishment for desertion or
other capital ofences.
GAESUM
Large celtic javelin. There wae a
vexillation or detachment
of men so armed at Greatchesters,
vexillatio gaesatorum Raetorum.
GALEA
Helmet
GARUM
Fish paste.
GARUM
Fish sauce.
GAUDEAMUS IGITUR
let us then rejoice.
GENIUS
Guardian spirit.
GLADIUS
A sword.
GLADIUS fflSPANIENSIS
The legionary's sword.
GLANS
An acorn. A ball of lead or claay
of acorn-shape useddd in a sling.
GODS/GODDESSES
The higher order gods were:
Jupiter, Janus, Mars and Saturn
who formed a
quadrunvirate. K
Also Junone, Venus, Diana and
Minerva, who also formed a
quadrunvirate.
The lower order gods were:
Hercules, Mercury and Bellona.
GRAFFITO
Picture scratched on stone.
GROMA
Surveying instrument
HARUSPICES
Priest who practised divination by
reading the entrails of
sacrificial victims.
HASTA
Spear.
HASTA PURA
Small silver spear awarded to
legionary commanders and
tribunes
for distingued service.
HASTATUS
The front rank of a legion.
HERM
Name derived from early Greek
statues of Hermes in the form of a
rectangular shaft with a carved
head. Later, they could carry the
heads
of other divinities.
HIBERNA
Winter camp.
HIC JACET
here lies.
HINC ILLAE LACRIMAE
hence these tears.
HIPPICA GYMNASIA
Cavalry display.
HIPPICA GYMNASIA
Cavalry display.
HORREUM
Granary, barn, store.
HORRIBLE DICTU
horrible to relate.
HORTIPOMPEIANI
Suburban market gardens of
Pompeii.
HYDRIA
Water jar.
HYPOCAUSIS
A furnace supplying hot air to
under floor central heating.
HYPOCAUST
1-
2- Hypocaust were also used in
forts to warm the offices of the
Cornicularius, and pay clerks. It
was also used to warm sleeping
rooms.
IANITOR
Porter, concierge.
IANUA
See Ostium.
IBIDEM
abbreviated as ib. or ibid.: in the
same place.
IDEST
(abbrev. i.e.) that is.
IDEM
the same
IGNIS FATUUS
a will-o'-the-wisp
IMA
Middle section of tiered seating
in the theatre or amphitheatre.
IMAGINIFER
A standard bearer.
IMAGO
A standard. It carried the
portrait of the Emperor.
IMMUNES
Soldiers specialized in a trade
such as smiths, builders,
armourers, medical orderlies,
musicians, accountants, who
were
dispensed from general fatigues
and other duty rosters at forts.
IMMUNITAS
Exemption from fatigues. The
men who enjoyed immunitas
were
immunes.
IMPEDIMENTA
Heavy baggage carried by the
baggage train.
IMPEDIMENTA
baggage.
IMPERIUM
A cardinal concept in the
Republican state: power of
command vested by
decree in the magistrate. The
imperium of the magistrate was
indivisible, military, judicial and
executive. Though the imperium
was
exercised in all its fulness, yet
each holder could paralyse the
action
of a colleague of equal (or a
fortiori of lower) rank through
intercessio
or the power of veto.
IMPERIUM ORBIS
TERRARUM
All that is worthy to be named
the world.
IMPLUVIUM
Pool in the centre of the atrium.
IMPRIMATUR
let it be printed a licence to print
sanctioned.
IN ARTICTJLO MORTIS
at the point of death.
IN CAMERA
in a (judge's private) room.
IN ESSE
in being
IN EXTREMIS
at the point of death.
IN FORMA PAUPERIS
as a poor man.
IN LOCO PARENTIS
in the place of a parent
IN MEDIA RES
into the midst of things
IN MEMORIAM
to the memory
IN POSSE
in possibility
IN PROPRIA PERSONA
in one's own person
IN PURIS NATURALIBUS
quite naked.
IN RE
in the matter of
IN SITU
in its original position. ,^._,,.
IN STATU PUPILLARI
in the state of wardship.
IN STATU QUO
in the former state.
INTOTO
entirely
IN VINO VERITAS
with wine the truth (comes out)
INCOLAE
Resident aliens.
INFRA DIGNITATEM
below one's dignity.
INSIGNIA
A standard.
INSULA
Originally it denoted what is
today called a palazzo in Italy,
namely a
large high building divided into
several apartments and
surrounded on all
sides by streets and lanes, thus
completely detached from other
buildings.The ground floor of an insula was
generally reserved for the use of
shops. A common staircase led to
the upper floors which were
divided in
individual apartments for single
occupancy or larger apartments
for
family occupancy. These
apartments were occupied by the
lower and middle
Sometimes an insula could
contain one single lodging house
and yet could
still have the ground floor let for
shops.
INTAGLIO
Gemstone cut in relief and used
as a seal.
INTER ALIA
amongst other things.
INTER ALIOS
among other people.
INTERPRETES
Interpreter.
IPSE DIXIT
"he himself said it" his
unsupported word.
EPSISSIMA VERSA
the very words.
IPSO FACTO
by the fact itself.
IUSITALICUM
Law which passed excemption
from land taxes for citizens of a
colonia.
IUS LATH
Law which gave Latin citizenship
to provincial town that had
acquired the
status of municipium, and Roman
citizenship to their magistrates.
LACONICUM
Room in a Roman bath house
which was heated to an extremely
high
temperature so that the bathers
would perspire.
LAMELA
A small plate of metal used for
making armour.
LAMELLA
Plate of metal, used in armour.
LANCEA
A light spear, javelin. Contrary
to the pilum, the lancea was
carried by
the rear lines of the legion, the
arma posrsignsns. Owing to its
lightweight it was thrown over
the heads of those in the column
before
them, the arma antesignana.
Soldiers of this arma had the title
of
discens lanciarium and were
equipped with multiple lanceae.
Their shield
was oval in shape and more
lightweight than the scutum.
LANCEARIUS
(pi. lancearii); foot soldier armed
with multiple lanceae.
LAPSUS LINGUAE
a slip of the tongue.
LARARIUM
Household shrine where the
Lares or household gods were
worshipped.
LARES
Tuteleary deities, originally from
Etruscan religion, worshipped as
the
protectors of a particular locality.
Most common are the Lares
familiares or domestici, the
household gods. Also the Lares
compitales,
gods of the crossroads.
LAVATRINA
Latrine.
LEGATUS LEGIONIS
Legionary commander.
LEGIO
Roman legion. A legio consisted
of 10 cohorts. Each cohort was
made up of
and each century of 80 men. The
first cohort however was double
in size.
All tohether the ten cohorts
would count 5280 legionaries, 59
centurions
and 59 optiones. Together with
adjutants, military engineers,
clerks and
cavalry a legion counted some
6000 to 6100 people. A legion
had three
main battle line per cohort: the
pilani, the principes and the
hastati.
The front lines of each centuria
was the Priores and the rear ranks
the
Posteriores. Together they formed
a maniple. Over a period of 400
years
there were more than 30 legions.
LEGIONARIUS
A legionary.
LEPORIA
Hare garden attached to villas.
LEXNONSCRIPTA
unwritten law i.e. common law.
LEXSCRIPTA
wwritten law i.e. statute or code
law.
LIBELLUS
Petition; provincials could request
the emperor's assistancee through
a
libellus, see a libellis.
LIBRARTUS
A clerk. Many had special
duties:
Librarius horreorum, kept the
granary records.
Librarius depositorum, collected
the soldiers' savings.
Librarius caducorum, looked after
the belongings of those
who fell in battle.
LICTOR
A bodyguard to the consul.
LIMES
Military frontier of the Roman
Empire, marking it off from
barbarian
tribes.
LDvflTANEI
Frontier troops.
LIQUAMEN
Fish sauce.
LOCUM TENENS
one occupying the place a deputy
or substitute
LOCUM TENENS
one occupying the place a deputy
or substitute
LOCUS CLASSICUS
a classical passage
LOCUS STANDI recognized position right to interfere. LORICA
1- Breastwork on a rampart.
2- Body armour.
LORICA AMATA
Mail armour.
LORICA SEGMENT ATE
Body armour made of metal
strips.
LORICA SQUAMATA
Scale armour.
LUDUS
(pi. Ludis).
Public games or spectacles.
LUDUS LATRUNCULORUM
Game played on a board similar
to a chess board. Popular
with the army. Several of these
boards have been found
on the Roman Wall.
LUDUS LATRUNCULORUM
A kind of draft game played by
soldiers.
LUSTRATIO
Purification; also purgatio.
MACELLUM
Market.
MAGISTER
(pi. Magistri).
Magistrate; magistri vici et
compiti, magistrates of the
quarter and of
the crossroads.
MAGNUM OPUS
a great work,
MAIESTAS
MANCIPATIO
Acquiring ownership of land
through fictitious sale.
MANIPULUS
Maniple, a division of a legion,
the third of a cohort
and made up of two centuries.
MANSIO
Inn. Found at Benwell, Corbridge
and Vindolanda.
MEA CULPA
by my fault
MEDIA
Upper-middle section of tiered
seating in the theatre or
amphitheatre.
MEDICUS Doctor.
MEMENTO MORI remember death
MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO
a sound mind ina sound body.
METATORES Surveyors, see Agrimensor. METOPE
Square slab, often decorated with relief sculpture, in the frieze of a Doric temeple. MEUMETTUUM mine and yours.
MILIA PASSUM Mile. The Roman mile was 1000 paces (1.4km).
MTRABILE DITU wonderful to relate
MISSIO CAUSARIA A term applied to a soldier who was invalided out.
MISSIO IGNOMTNIOSA Dishonourable discharge. MODIUS
A metal container used as a dry-measure. There is a famous one at Carvoran.
MODUS OPERANDI manner of working MODUS VTVENDI Manner of living, of doing things.
MONOPTEROS
Temple consisting of a single row of columns supporting a roof. MOS MAIORUM Deep respect for tradition. A characteristic of the Roman people. MULSUM
Mixture of honey and wine used as a drink to accompany the first course of a meal.
MULTUMINPARVO much in little MUNICIPIUM
Indigeneous community which had been granted ius Latii, i.e. Latin
citizenship for the townsfolk, and Roman citizenship for the
magistrates.
The municipium retained its local autonomy. Municipes did not enjoy
excemption from ius Italicum. MUSCULI
Protective mantlets used by besiegers.
MUTATIS MUTANDIS with the necessary changes. NAMES
List of Roman praenomina with their abbreviations.
A. Aulus N.
Numerius
App. Appius P.
Publius
C. Gaius Q.
Quintus
Cn. Gnaeus Ser.
Servius
D. Decimus Sex. or S.
Sextus
K. Kaeso Sp.
Spurius
L. Lucius T.
Tiberius
M". Manius
NATALIS AQUTLAE
Anniversary of the eagle; an
important day in a legion which
celebrated
the anniversary of that legion's
foundation.
NATATIO
Swimming pool in a Roman bath
house.
NE PLUS ULTRA
nothing further the uttermost
point.
NECROPOLIS
Cemetery situated outside the
wals of an ancient city.
NEGOTIATORES
Salesperson.
NEMINE CONTRADICENTE
(abbrev. nem. con.), without
opposition.
NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT
no one hurts me with impunity.
NTLADMIRARI
to admire nothing to be superior
NOLENS VOLENS
whether he will or not
NOLI ME TANGERE
don't touch me.
NON COMPOS MENTIS
insane.
NON OMNIS MORIAR
I shall not die.
NON SEQUITUR
it does not follow.
NOTA BENE
(N.B.) note well.
NOTITIA DIGNITATUM
Late Roman government
handbook.
NOVENSILES
Gods/goddesses brought into
Rome by immigrants.
NULLISECUNDUS
second to none
NUMERUS
An infantry unit drawn from the
remote parts of the Roman
Empire. They usually used their
native weapons. There was
a unit og bargemen from the
Tigris at South Shields (Numerus
bareariorum Tigrisiensium). A
similar cavalry unit was
called a cuneus. There was a
cuneus Frisiorum, a formation
of Frisian cavalry, at Housestead.
O TEMPORA! O MORES!
O the times! O the manners!
What dreadful times and doings.
OBELISK
Pointed four-sided pillar of
granite or porphyry. Many were
exported from
Egypt and set up in Rome. The
name means "little meatspits",
and was
invented by Greek soldiers
serving in Egypt in the 6th
century BC.
OBIIT
he or she died.
OBITER DICTUM
(pi obiter dicta) something said
by the way.
OCREAE
Greaves (armour for the
protection of the legs), By late
Republican times the only
soldiers wearing greaves on
active
service were the centurions.
OCULUS
Hole in the center of a dome to
admit light.
OECUS
Richly decorated salon or
drawing room.
OFFICIUM
The staff of a governor.
OINOCHOE
Jug for pouring wine.
OMPHALOS
Stone at Delphi considered by the
ancients to be the navel of the
universe.
ONAGER
One-armed stone throwing
machine.
ONAGER
The most powerful catapult used
by the Roman army. It was
named after the wild ass because
of its kick.
OPPIDUM
A Celtic stronghold usually on a
hill top.
OPTIO
(pi. optiones). Centurion officer
who kept order and morale high
in his
centuria, in battle and off battle.
An optio carried a long staff
(hastale) with which to poke any
soldier in the battle line who was
not
complying with the rules of
absolute quite, and to goad any
laggard from
hanging back. The optio stood to
the left in the rear of the centuria,
whereas the centurion stood at
the right of the fron line.
The officer beneath the rank of
centurion; his understudy.
When an otio had been accepted
for promotion to the
centurionate and was waiting for
a vacancy he was called
optio ad spem ordinis.
OPTIO VALETUDINARII
The officer in charge of a
legionary hospital.
ORA PRO NOBIS
pray for us.
ORDO
An early division of the legion.
ORDO DECURIONUM
The local senate of a city.
OSSUARY
Vessel containing unburned
human bones.
OSTIARIUS
See lanitor.
OSTIUM
The principal entrance of a
house; also called lanua. The
door was
generally left open during the
day, but a porter (called lanitor or
Ostiarius) kept watch in a small
lodge or box (Cella Ostiarii)
observing
all who passed in and out.
OTIUM CUM DIGNITATE
dignified retirement.
PACE
by leave of
PAGUS
Country district.
PALAESTRA
Sport ground, from the Greek for
a wrestling school.
PALUDAMENTUM
The purple cloak of the
commander-in-chief.
PAPILIO
Tent made of leather.
PARIPASSU
with equalual pace tohether.
PARMA EQUESTRIS
The round cavalry shield used
during the Republic.
PASSIM
here and there everywhere.
PASSIM
Sweet cooking wine.
PATERA
Mess tin.
PATRICIANS
Most privileged class of Roamn
citizenry, which inthe early
republic
monopolized the most important
magistracies and religious offices,
but
whose influence was gradually
diminished with the admission to
high
office of plebeians.
PAX VOBISCUM
peace be with you.
PECCAVI
I have sinned
PECUARIUS
Soldier who attended farm
animals.
PEDIMENT
Triangular gable end of a Greek,
Etruscan or Roman temple.
PELTA
A small light shield in the shape
of a half-moon. Originally
used by the Thracians and other
barbarians.
PEREGRTNI
Non-Roman citizens. Applied to
most of the inhabitants of
Britain. Later Britons became
Roman citizens.
PERISTYLE
Inner coutyard surrounded by a
colonnade.
PERONES
Over-boots, worn by auxiliaries
over their caligae in cold
climates.
PES
(pi.) pedes; Roman foor. It
measured 29.44 centimetres.
PHALANGARIUS
(pi. phalangarii); legionary who
specialized to fight in close array
formation, as a phalanx. The
front lines fought as a phalanx,
while the
rear ranks as lancearii.
Phalangarii were heavely armed.
PHALERAE
Medal or discs worn by officers.
They were decorated with
heads of deities and worn on the
chest.
PILA MURALIA
Stake for palisade.
PILTJM
Spear, the heavy javelin of the
legionaries.
Good for throwing at a short
distance and for using as a pike if
the
enemy cavalry dared a shock
attack. The pilum was carried
by the front
lines of the legions, the arma
antesignana.
PILUS
(pi pilani). First battle line.
PILUS POSTERIORES
The centurion of the second
centuria of a cohort.
PILUS PRIMUS
The first centurion of a cohort in
charge of the first centuria.
PINXIT
(name of artist) painted this.
PLEBEIANS
General body of Roman citizens
who were at first excluded from
high
offices, but achieved political
equality with the patricians as a
result
of the "Conflict of the Orders"
during the 5th to 3rd centuries
BC.
PLUTEUS
A shed used by besiegers at base
of walls.
PODIUM
Raised base of a temple, or
parapet wall around the first row
of seats at
the amphitheatre.
PONS
Bridge.
POPULUS ROMANUS
A cardinal concept in the
Republican state: the sovereignity
of the
people of Rome as the sole and
ultimate source of right, privilege
and
authority.
PORPHYRY
Dark red volcanic rock, quarried
in Egypt, and much used by the
Romans
for ornamental purposes.
PORTA
Gate. In a Roman Fort there
were four gates:
Porta Decumana
Porta Praetoria
Porta Principals sinistra
Porta principalis dextra.
See Castra.
POST HOC ERGO PROPTER
HOC
after this therefore because of
this.(A fallacy in reasoning).
POST MORTEM
after death
POSTSIGNASUS
Soldier who fought in the lines
behind the standards, see
Lancearius.
POTESTAS
(Tribunician potesta).
PRAEDIA CAESARIANA
Grazing lands belonging to the
emperor's estates. It was
managed by
bailiffs or leased to conductores.
PRAEFECTUS
Prefect. Commander of an
auxiliay or allied battalion.
PRAEFECTUS ANNONAE
Prefect of the grain supply; he
was in charge of the grain supply
for the
civilian population of Rome, not
for the army which had the
annonae
militaris.
PRAEFECTUS CASTRORUM
Camp prefect. The third in
command of a legion.
PRAEPOSITUS
Commander of a numerus or
cuneus.
PRAESIDIA
A guard point.
PRAETENTURA
The front part of a camp occupied
by the legionaries. The
rear part (retentura) was occupied
by lower units.
PRAETORIUM
Commanding officer's house.
PRAETORIUM s «:
In a fort, the commanding
officer's house.
PRANDIUM
Breackfast, one of two meals for
soldiers, see cena.
PRATA
Grazing land.
PRIAPUS
Rustic god of fertility, often
portrayed with a huge penis.
Images of
Priapus were often set up in
gardens to protect them.
PRIMA FACIE
at a first view.
PRIMIORDINES
Highest-ranking centurions.
PRIMUS PILUS
First centurion.
PRINCEPS
(pi. principes); second battle-line.
PRINCEPS
Roman officer who was
responsible for the headquarters
staff of a legion and for training.
PRINCIPIA
Headquarters.
PRO PATRIA
for one's country
PRO TEMPORE
for the time being
PROTHYRUM
A passage or small entrance hall
leading from the outer door to the
interior of a house.
PROVINCE
Under the late Republic, an area
outside Italy considered to belong
to
the Roman people, governed
directly by a Roman magistrate,
with fixed
geographical limits and subject to
Roman taxation. Under the
Empire
there were two kinds of
provinces: senatorial, governed by
ex-magistrates
under the supervision of the
Senate; and imperial, directly
under the
emperor's control.
PROVINCIA
PROVOCATIO AD POPULUM
Right of appeal of a Roman
citizen against the sentence
pronounced by a
magistrate which threatened the
citizen with the loss of his life or
civil personality.
PROXIME ACCESIT
he came next the runner-up.
PTERUGES
Leather straps used in armour.
PUBLIC ANI
State contractors.
PUGIO
Dagger.
QUAESTOR
Quartermaster.
QUAETIONARIUS
Torturer or interrogator.
QUANTUM SUFFICIT
(abbrev. quant, suff.) as much as
it suffices.
QUERN
Stone for grinding corn.
QUINARIUS
Haifa denarius.
QUIS CUSTODIETIPSOS
CUSTODES?
who will guard the guards?
QUO VADIS?
Whither goest thou?
QUOD ERAT
DEMONSTRANDUM
(abbrev. Q.E.D.) which was to be
proved.
QUOT HOMINES TOT
SENTENTIAE
So many men so many opinions
RANGORDNUNG
Hierarchy of ranks. Each of the
59 cenruriae of a legion had a
century as
first in command and an optio as
second in command to the
centurion. The
centuries of a cohort were the
pilani, principes and hastati,
the pilani ranking higher than
the principes, and the principes
higher
than the hastati. Likewise the
first cohort rank higher than the
second,
etc. Centurions therefore had 59
carrear levels, and after
distinguished
service in the first could they
aspire to higher positions.
RARAAVIS
A rare bird something
prodigious.
REDUCTION AD ABSURDUM
Reducing to the absurd.
RELIQUARY
Container, usually fastened in
precious metal, for the display of
a relic
of a saint.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE
(abbrev. R.I.P.) may he or she rest
in peace.
RES PUBLICA
Public service.
RESURGAM
Shall rise again.
RETENTURA ,s,;
See Praetentura.
RETIARIUS
Type of gladiator, net-fighter.
REVETMENT
This marble slab with which the
Romans decorated the walls of
public
buildings and the more luxurius
private houses.
RUS IN URBE
The country in the town.
S.V.Q.
Sine ulla querela, without a
quarrel. Inscription found on
tombstones of
coniugi. When death came to one
or the other of the pair, the
survivor
often honoured the memory of
his/her partner with the words
SVQ, or other
words not unlike those used today
in such circomstances.
SACELLUM
Shrine of the standards, the
central part of the principia.
Beneath it was the strong room
for keeping the unit's money
and treasures.
SACRAMENTUM
Oath of loyalty taken by the new
recruits.
SAGITTARIUS
Archer.
SAGITTARIUS
Legionary who specialized as a
bowman. Sagittari served in the
anna
postsignana.
SAGUM
Heavy cloak.
SALTUS
Upland pasture suitable for
grazing.
SAMIAN WARE
Misnomer, now hallowed by
frequent usage, for tableware
(terra
sigillata), originating from Gaul,
usually red in colour and often
decorated in relief.
SARCOPHAGUS
Marble casket, often decorated in
relief.
SARTOR RESARTUS
The tailor patched.
SCALAE
Scaling ladders.
SCAPHARII
Boatmen, who transported goods
such as grain, olive oil, minerals,
etc.
down stream, e.g. along the
Sierra Morena in Spain.
SCHOLA
An officers' club.
SCORPIO
A small catapult.
SCUTATI
Troops bearing shields.
SCUTATI
Troops bearing shields.
SCUTUM
A shield. The large curved
legionary shield.
SEMPER FIDELIS
Always faithful.
SEMPER IDEM
Always the same.
SERIATEM
In order.
SESQUIPLICARIUS
Third-in-command to a decurio.
SESQUIPLICARIUS
Officer in an ala.
SESTERTIUS
(pi. sestertii), sesterces. A silver
coin with a bullion value of 2d.
A
sestertius was abbreviated HS.
A thousand sestertii was
represented as HS M, written
mille sestertii.
Thousand of sestertii dropped the
word mille and modified sestertii
to
sestertia, e.g.: 7000 sesterces = septena sestertia (HS VII) 100 000 sesterces, centena sestertia (HS C).
For a million sesterces, the word became sestertium, e.g. i million
, and 50 million sesterces = quingenties sestertium, abbrev. (HS D). SI MOMENTUM REQUIRIS CIRCUMSPICE If you seek (his) monument look around you.
The inscription on the architect Wren's tomb in St. Paul's London. SIC
Thus. Often used to call attention to some quoted mistake. SIC ITUR AD ASTRA such is the way to the stars; to fame or immortality. SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI So passes the glory of the world. SIGNIFER Standard bearer. SINE DIE
Without date indefinetely postponed. SINE QUA NON As indispensable condition. SINE ULLA QUERELA See S.V.Q. SISTRUM
Metallic rattle used in religious ceremonies. SOCIETATES
Joint stock companies set-up by business people. SOCII
Partners, shareholders, in societates. SPARTARIUS Maker and seller of rope. SPARTUM Broom plant. SPATHA
Auxiliary's long sword. Usually used by cavalry. SPECULATORES Originally a scout or spy. Later a messenger.
STATUS QUO The state in which; the pre¬existing state of affairs; nothing has changed. STELA
A pillar or column. STET
Let it stand. STOA
Covered portico. STRIGIL
Scrap[er made of horn or metal used by bathers to remove impunities from the skin.
SUAVITERINMODO FORTITER IN RE Gentle in manner firm in deed; an iron band in a velvet flove. SUB POENA under a penalty SUB ROSA
under the rose secretely. SUB VOCE Under that head. SUMMA
Top section of tiered seating in the theatre or amphitheatre. SUN JUDICE Under consideration. SUOVETAURILIA The sacrifice of a ram, pig and bull for lustratio or purgatio (purification). SURSUM CORDA Lift up your hearts (to God). SYLLOGE
Collection, or corpus, of inscriptions. TABERNA Tavern.
TABLINUM
The lower end of the atrium was
divided into three rooms. The
largest
and central of these rooms was the tablinum; the other two, on the
sides, were the Alae. The tablinum and the alae had the front open
to the atrium. The alae were used to keep records commemorating events, archives, genealogical
records, etc. The tablinum and
the alae
also served also to separate the
public from the private. If the
house
had both an atrium and a
cavaedium then the tablinum
would be placed at
the bottom of the cavaedium.
TABULA ANSATA
Ornaments on neck guard of
helmet with carrying handle.
TABULAE CERATAE
Wax-covered wooden tablets used
for writing.
TABULARIS
Provincial archivist.
TEMPORE
In the time of
TEMPUS FUGIT
Time flies.
TEPID ARIUM
Warm room in the baths.
TERRA FIRMA
Solid earth
TERRA SIGILLATA
Pottery.
TERRACOTTA
Baked claay, used for statuettes,
decorative plaques and large scale
sculptures.
TERTIUMQUID
a third something
TESSERA
A small wooden plaque with the
password written on it.
TESSERARIUS
The guard command.
TESTUDO
Tortoise formation or an
armoured siege machine.
THERMOPOLIUM
Tavern or bar serving warm
drinks.
THOLOS
Beehive-shaped chamber built of
stone.
THYRSUS
Long staff entwined with ivy and
vine leaves, and often tipped with
a
pine cone, carried by Dionysos
and his followers.
TIBIA
A reed instrument, see Aulos.
TIRO
A recruit.
TITULUM
Short ditch in front of gate as a
protection. See clavicula.
TOGA
Flowing woolen garment worn by
Roman citizen.
TORMENTA
Artillery.
TORQUES
Neck bands, a military
decoration.
TRANSHUMANCE
Practice of grazing animals in
widely separated pastures at
different
times of the year.
TRIARII
A division of a legion made up of
100 men; 60 veteran
spearmen ( ) and 40 velites,
lightly armoured legionaries.
TRIARTUS
(pi. triarii). A late Roman unit
that formed the third battle-line
made
up of 100 men, 60 veteran
spearmen and 40 velites, lightly
armoured
legionaries.
TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE
Officer who defended the rights
of the plebeians, who had the
right of
veto and whose inviolability from
prosecution was guaranteed.
TRIBUNUS
Senior officer who served under
the legion commander.
TRIBUNUS
AUGUSTICLAVIUS
Junior tribune.
TRIBUNUS LATICLAVIUS
Senior tribune.
TRICLINIA
Dining rooms. In larger houses
there could be several dining
rooms
which varied in size according to
the number of guests they were
designed to contain, and were
built so as to offer different
exposures
suited to different seasons of the
year.
TRICLINIUM
Dining room in a Roman house,
or in the open air.
TRIERARCH
Captain of a gallery.
TRIGLYPH
Feature which alternates with the
metopes in the frieze of a Doric
temple.
TROPAEUM
Trophy, memorial of a victory. A
tree or pole from
which the spoils were hung.
TUBA
Trumpet.
TUBICEN
A trumpeter, the man who blew
long straight trumpets to signal
the commander's orders.
TUBILUSTRIUM
The feast of trumpets. A
ceremony at which the musical
instruments
were pueified twice a year on
23rd March and 23rd May.
TUNICA
Tunic.
TURMA
Cavalry unit of 30 horsemen.
TURMA
(pi. turmae). Cavalry squadron of
30 men.
UBITU GAIUS, EGO GAIA
"Where you are master, I am
mistress." This phrase expresses
the virtual
equality between husband and
wife in a typical Roman marriage.
UBIQUE -,-jic
Everewhere.
ULTIMA THULE
The utmost boundary or limit.
ULTRA VIRES
Beyond one's powers.
UMBO
Shield boss.
UNA VOCE
With one voice. <
URAEUS
Egyptian cobra sacred to Isis,
URBS OPULENTISSIMA
-.nol*
Most powerful and important city
of a region.
USUCAPIO
Acquiring ownership of land
through long term possession.
UT INFRA
As below.
UTINFRA
As below.
UT SUPRA
As above.
UT SUPRA
As above.
VADE IN PACE
Go in peace.
VADE MECUM
Go with me a constant
companion work of reference.
VAE VICTIS
Woe to the defeated.
VALE
farewell
VALETUDINARIUM
Hospital.
VALLUM
An earthen wall or a rampart set
with palisades.
VELITES
Lightly armed legionaries.
VELUM
Canopy suspended over the seats
at a theatre or amphitheatre.
VENATIO
Hunting or the combat of wild
beasts.
VENATORES
Hunters.
VENI VIDI VICI
I came. I saw I conquered.
VERBATIM ET LITTERATIM
Word for word and letter for
letter.
VERBUM SAPIENTI SAT
(abbrev. verb, sap.) a word is
enough for a wise man.
VERSUS
(abbrev. v.) against
VESTIBULUM
The outside approach to the door
of a mansion or house, the door
of
house was frequently thrown back
a considerable distance from the
street,
and an open space was left in
front, which was sometimes
planted with
trees, and was large enough to
admit a portico on each side,
ornamented
with triumphal chariots, statues
and other works of art. The open
space
was termed Area, and this
together with the colonnades,
seats, etc.
constituted the Vestibumm.
VEXILLARTUS
The soldier who carried the
Vexillum.
VEXTLLARIUS
The soldier who carried the
Vexillum.
VEXTLLATIO
A detachment from one or more
legions or auxiliary units selected
for a special purpose.
VEXILLUM
A cloth flag used as a standard
especially for a cavalry ala.
The only surviving example can
be seen in the Museum of Fine
Arts,
Moscow. It was found in Egypt.
the cloth is dyed red with
an image in gold of a victory
standing on a globe.
VI ET ARMIS
by force of arms.
VIA
A road.
VIA
By way of
VIA MEDIA
A middle course.
VIAPRAETORIA
Road running from front to rear
of a fort.
VIA PRINCTPALIS
Road running from side to side of
a fort.
VIA QUINTANA
A secondary road ina foert
running parallel to the via
principalis.
VICE
in the place of
VICE VERSA
the other way round.
VICINI
Inhabitants of another quarter, or
neighbours.
VICOMAGISTER
Freedman responsible for the cult
of the Lares compitales (see Lares
and
Magister) from the vicus
(quarter).
VICUS
Civilian settlement which grew
up outside a military
establishment.
VIDELICET
(abbrev. viz.) namely
VTRGINIBUS PUERISQUE
for maidens and youths
VIRTUTE OFFICE
By virtue of office.
VIS INERTIAE
The power of inertia.
vms
A centurion's emblem of office, a
twisted vine-stick.
VIVA VOCE
By the living voice oral.
VOLENTE DEO
God willing.
VOX ET PRAETEREA NTHIL
A voice and nothing more.
VOX POPULI VOX DEI
The voice of the people is the
voice of God.