Marching With Caesar- Conquest of Gaul

by R. W. Peake

  Paludamentum- The scarlet cloak worn by Roman commanders of at least Legate rank.

  Porro- The Latin command that signals a Legion to begin the assault.

  Praetorium- Both the headquarters tent in a Roman military camp, and the residence of the Praetor of a province. In camp, the Praetorium is the first tent erected, in the center of the camp, and all the dimensions of the camp were measured from the Praetorium.

  Probatio- The status for those who have enlisted but not yet started the training in the Legion. While a minor distinction, it was an important one, and represents the need for some sort of hold over a recruit during the period of time it took them to travel to wherever the Legion was being trained, then waiting for the training to begin. This is supposition on my part, but is based on my experience as a recruiter in the Marine Corps. Fundamentally, the reason is pretty simple; while needing to retain some sort of hold over new recruits, it wasn't very likely that they would be subjected to the harsh discipline of the Legions right away, when they were being escorted to their training camp.

  Quaestorium- Next to the Praetorium, the most important location of a Roman military camp, as it held the quartermaster. It was located next to the Praetorium.

  Salve- Common form of (formal) greeting. Equivalent of "Hello".

  Silete- Latin for silence, this is the more polite way to ask someone to be quiet.

  Tacete- The Latin equivalent of "Shut the fuck up".

  Tirones- This is the term used for recruits enlisted in the Legions who have actually begun training. This is a distinctly different class than probatio, and assumes that the recruit has actually begun the training that was required to become a member of the Legion.

  Vitus- The twisted length of vine stick that was a symbol of the Roman Centurion. Even out of uniform, Centurions would carry the vitus to let others know their status.