Glossary
Ambiorix
A leader of the Eburones, a Gallic tribe, known for his cunning and effective guerrilla tactics against the Romans.
Example:
Ambiorix masterminded a strategy of hit-and-run attacks, exploiting the Roman army's vulnerabilities with great success.
Cotta
A Roman legate (lieutenant) in Caesar's army, known for his foresight, planning, and proactive leadership, performing duties of both a general and a soldier.
Example:
Unlike his counterpart, Cotta had anticipated potential ambushes, ensuring his men were better prepared for the sudden attack.
Titurius
A Roman legate (lieutenant) in Caesar's army, characterized by his lack of foresight and indecisive leadership under pressure.
Example:
During the sudden ambush, Titurius panicked, failing to give clear orders and causing chaos among his troops.
ablative absolutes
A grammatical construction in Latin consisting of a noun or pronoun and a participle (or sometimes an adjective/noun) in the ablative case, grammatically independent of the rest of the sentence, providing background information or context.
Example:
Magna parte diei consumpta, the soldiers, though exhausted, continued to fight with unwavering courage.
cohors
A Roman military unit, typically consisting of 360-600 men, part of a legion.
Example:
Each cohors attempted to break out of the defensive circle, but they were quickly surrounded by the enemy's mobile forces.
cotidiana exercitatione
A Latin phrase meaning 'daily practice' or 'daily training,' highlighting the barbarians' proficiency with their tactics due to constant use.
Example:
Their exceptional skill with javelins was a direct result of cotidiana exercitatione, making them formidable opponents in ranged combat.
impedimenta
Latin term for 'baggage' or 'heavy equipment' carried by an army, often a vulnerability during marches or battles.
Example:
The soldiers were ordered to leave their impedimenta behind to increase their mobility and defensive posture against the swift Gallic attacks.
in orbem consisterent / orbis
A defensive military tactic where soldiers form a circle (*orbis*), often to protect baggage or to defend against attacks from all sides.
Example:
Faced with overwhelming numbers, the Roman legion was forced to in orbem consisterent, creating a defensive orbis to withstand the barbarian onslaught.
legatus
A Roman legionary commander, a high-ranking officer appointed by Caesar, often a senator.
Example:
L. Cotta, a legatus, continued to encourage his troops despite suffering a grievous wound to his face, demonstrating unwavering resolve.
levitas armorum
A Latin phrase meaning 'lightness of arms,' referring to the advantage of lightly armed troops, often associated with barbarian tactics.
Example:
The barbarians' levitas armorum allowed them to move swiftly and evade the heavily armored Roman legions, making them difficult to pin down.
nihil ante providisset
A Latin phrase meaning 'had provided nothing beforehand,' used to describe Titurius's critical lack of preparation.
Example:
Caesar often criticized commanders who, like Titurius, nihil ante providisset, leading to unnecessary losses.
participles
Verbal adjectives in Latin that combine characteristics of both verbs (tense, voice) and adjectives (agreement in case, number, gender), often used to convey simultaneous or sequential actions.
Example:
The general, cohortans (encouraging) his men, led them bravely into the fray, inspiring them with his presence.
primus pilus
The 'first spear' or chief centurion of a Roman legion, the highest-ranking centurion and a highly respected position.
Example:
T. Balventius, a brave primus pilus, was severely wounded while fighting valiantly at the front lines, inspiring his men.
procul tela coniciant neu propius accedant
A Latin phrase describing Ambiorix's key tactic for his troops: 'that they throw their weapons from a distance and do not approach too near.'
Example:
The Gallic warriors were instructed to procul tela coniciant neu propius accedant, wearing down the Romans with relentless ranged attacks.
signa
Latin term for 'standards' or 'ensigns,' military banners that served as rallying points and symbols of a unit's identity and honor.
Example:
When the battle turned chaotic, many soldiers abandoned their signa in a desperate attempt to save themselves, a grave dishonor.
tela
Latin term for 'weapons' or 'missiles,' often referring specifically to javelins or other projectiles.
Example:
The Romans were overwhelmed by the constant barrage of tela from the enemy, unable to avoid the projectiles in their crowded formation.
trepidare et concursare
A Latin phrase meaning 'was confused and ran to and fro,' describing Titurius's chaotic and indecisive reaction during the battle.
Example:
When the enemy appeared unexpectedly, the inexperienced commander began to trepidare et concursare, losing control of his forces.