Ala Quingenaria

  • The Ala Quingenaria was an Auxiliary all-Cavalry Regiment with 480 Horse.
  • It was organised into a total of 16 Turmae of 30 Horse in each.

The 6 types of Roman Auxiliaries

  • There were three main types of Auxiliary Regiment consisting of either 500 men or 1000 men. Tacitus states that there were 250 Auxiliary Regiments by 23 CE: 50 Alae (‘Wings’ of Cavalry only). 120 Cohortes (Infantry), and 80 Cohortes Equitatae (Mixed Infantry with Cavalry).
  • Quingenaria meant 500 soldiers.
    1. Ala Quingenaria (Wing) – All Cavalry Regiment with 480 Horse: 16 Turmae of 30 Horse in each.
    2. Cohors Quingenaria (Cohort) – All Infantry Regiment with 480 Foot Soldiers: 6 Centuriae of 80 men each.
    3. Cohors Equitata Quingenaria – Mixed Cavalry and Infantry Regiment with 480 Infantry and 120 Horse. Total 600 men. 6 Centuriae of 80 men each and 4 Turmae of 30 Horse each.
  • ‘Milliaria’ meant 1000 soldiers – approximately double the strength of a Quingenaria Unit.
    1. Ala Milliaria All Cavalry Regiment with 720 or 768 men: 24 Turmae of 30 Horse each.
    2. Cohors Milliaria All Infantry Regiment with 800 men: 10 Centauriae of 80 men each.
    3. Cohors Equitata Milliaria Mixed Cavalry and Infantry Regiment with 800 infantry and 240 Horse. Total 1,040 men: 10 Centuriae of 80 men each and 8 Turmae of 30 Horse each.
  • Cohors Sagittaria
    • Sagittaria, meaning Arrow, meant it was a Regiment of Archers.
  • Cohors Peditata
    • This was a Regiment of Foot Soldiers.
  • Cohors Equitata
    • This was a Regiment of Horse.
  • ‘civium Romanorum’ c.R.
    • Meaning of Roman Citizens, indicated Roman Citizenship had been granted by the Emperor to serving members only, but the Title was kept.

 

 

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