Military Tribune

• The position of Military Tribune was the first rung on the career ladder, the Cursus Honorum, for the Patrician Class.
• The Tribune ranked above a Centurion but below the Legate.

Duties under the Republic (509-27 BCE)

• 10 years of Military Duty in the Legion in either:
  • The Cavalry (Equites) or
  • The General’s Staff: Six Tribunes were allocated to the ‘Legatus’, to act as Staff Officers. This was more prestigious.

Duties after the Marian Reforms (107-101 BCE)

• There were still 6 Tribunes in the Legion under the Legate, but they now had slightly different duties.
• The Tribunus Laticlavius was the second in command, wore a broad stripe on his tunic or toga, and would take command in the Legate’s absence.
• However, the other 5 Tribuni Angusticlavii had no power to command in battle.
• Under Augustus (27 BCE-14 CE) Centurions could be promoted into the 5 Tribuni Angusticlavii, and then to command an Auxiliary cavalry regiment.