Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!
A Possible Equestrian Military Career Path

PRAEFECTUS COHORTIS
Prefect of an auxiliary infantry unit.
________
*
TRIBUNUS MILITUM
(angustus clavus) narrow stripe
Tribune of a regular Roman legion.
________
*
TRIBUNE OF THE PRAETORIAN GUARD
cohort commander
In charge of one of nine 1000 strong cohorts of "Italian" born men.
Based in Rome from 23 C.E.
*
TRIBUNE OF THE URBANES
cohort commander
In charge of one of three 1000 strong cohorts (two more added by Claudius and stationed at Ostia).
Under the direct command of the praefectus urbi.
Responsible for public order.
*
TRIBUNE OF THE VIGILES
cohort commander
In charge of one of seven 1000 strong cohorts of freedmen based in Rome.
Each cohort was responsible for 2 of the 14 regiones of Rome.
When the emperor left Rome and took the praetorians with him they served as military protection for the city.
At other times they served as fire brigade and police force.
*
PRAEFECTUS EQUITUM
Prefect of an auxiliary cavalry wing (ala).
Either 1000 men in 24 turmae, or 500 men in 16 turmae.
*
TRIBUNE OF THE EQUITES SINGULARES AUGUSTI
Commander of the cavalry arm of the praetorian guard raised by the Flavians out of predominantly German troops.
500 men later becoming 1000.
*
PROCURATOR
Administrator in the civil service.
Issued the army payroll.
Collected the imperial revenue :-
land tax (tributum soli)
property tax (tributum capitis)
tax paid in grain for the upkeep of the army (annona)
Sometimes governed part of a province (e.g. Potius Pilate)
________
*
PRAEFECTUS ANNONAE
In charge of corn distribution or treasuries.
*
PRAEFECTUS VIGILUM
Prefect of the vigiles.
*
PRAEFECTUS CLASSIS
Naval commander in charge of a fleet.
*
LEGIONARY COMMANDER
Command of a legion in Egypt.
________
*
PRAEFECTUS AEGYPTI
Prefect (governor) of Egypt.

PRAEFECTUS PRAETORIO
Prefect of the praetorian guard.
____________________________________________
*

Equestrian status was not hereditary, knights were made.
______________
To become an equestrian there was a wealth requirement of 400,000 sesterces (4,000 aurei).
______________
Equestrians wore the angustus clavus (narrow stripe) and wore a gold ring.
______________
The transvectio was the yearly parade of knights which was restored by Augustus and held on 15th July.  The Roman knights were parading past the censor at a muster.
____________________________________________