Numeri (Roman troops)

The Roman army used some auxiliaries who were not so well trained. These were called numeri (the plural form of numerus, literally "number"). The numeri were small groups of half-savage tribesmen, using their own weapons and commanded by their own chiefs. Their orders would be given in their own language, not Latin. Numeri were used as border scouts. Romans did not think they were very valuable and tried to use them first when the enemy attacked. Wilkes, 1972.