The principles of Latin grammar; comprising the ... - Essan.org

———ROMAN MONEY—WEIGHTS—AND MEASURES. 337When an army was wanted for any purpose, a levy was made among thepeople, of the number required. These were then arranged, officered, andequipped for service.898. The Legion. The leading division of the Roman army was thelegion, which when full consisted of 6000 men, but varied from that to4000.899.—Each legion was divided into ten cohorts; each cohort, intothree maniples ; and each maniple, into two centuries.900.—The complement of cavalry (equitatus), for each legion wasthree hundred, called Ala, or Justus equitdtus. These were divided intoten turmce or troops ; and each turma into three decurice, or bodies of tenmen.Division of theSoldiers.901.—The Roman soldiers were divided into threeclasses, viz:1. Hastati, or spearmen; young men who occupied the first line.2. Principes, or middle-aged men, who occupied the middle line.3. Triarii ; veterans of approved valor, who occupied the third line.Besides these, there were,4. Velltes, or light armed soldiers ; distinguished for agility and swiftness.6. Funditores, or slingers.6. Sagittarii, or bowmen.902.The Officers of the Legion were,1. Six Military tribunes, who commanded under the consul in turn,usually a month.2. The Centuriones, who commanded the centuries.. The Officers of the Cavalry were,1. The Prcefectus Ala, or commander of the wing.2. The Decuriones, or captains of ten.903.—The whole army was under the command of the consul or proconsul,who acted as commander-in-chief. Under him were his Legati, orlieutenants, who acted in his absence, or under his direction ; or, as hisdeputies, were sent by him on embassies, or on business of special importance.VL ROMAN MONEY—WEIGHTS—AND MEASURES.Roman Money.904.—The principal coins among the Romans were Brass : the Asand its divisions ; Silver : Sestertius, Quinarius, and Denarius, called bigatiand quadrigati, from the impression of a chariot drawn by two orfour horses on one side; Gold: the Aureus or Solidus.905.—Before the coining of silver, the Romans reckoned by the As, abrass coin, called also libra. This coin was originally the weight of the15