Discens

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A discens (Latin: discens, -entis) was a soldier of the military of ancient Rome who was in training to become an immunis, or specialist within the army.

Immunes took up the trades and skills of engineers, field medics, carpenters, and craftsmen. However, they were also fully trained and would be expected to fight in the infantry if necessary. The discentes were probably exempted, like the immunes, from standard combat and camp duties since their main occupation would have been time-consuming technical training.

Some known classes include:

• Discens Architecti - Trainee engineer or artillerist.
• Discens Armaturae - Trainee weapons instructor.
• Discens Aquiliferum (or Aquiliferorum) - Trainee eagle standard-bearer.
• Discens Bucinatorem - Trainee trumpeteer.
• Discens Capsariorum - Trainee medical orderly.
• Discens Epibatae - Trainee marine.
• Discens Equitum - Trainee cavalryman.
• Discens Lanchiariorum - Trainee javelin-thrower.
• Discens Mensorem - Trainee surveyor.
• Discens Phalangarium - A soldier training as a phalangarius during the 3rd century AD several experiments were conducted with Macedonian phalanx tactics, apparently requiring special training in weapons handling and drill.
• Discens Signiferorum (or discentes signiferorum) - Trainee standard-bearer.

References

• Parker, H. M. D. The Roman Legions. Barnes and Noble Books. 1993. ISBN 0-88029-854-5
• Peddie, John. The Roman War Machine. Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd. 1995. ISBN 0938289853
• Webster, Graham. The Roman Imperial Army A. and C. Black (Publishers) Limited 1979 (2nd edition) ISBN 0-7136-1909-0
• The temetfuture web site: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/temetfutue/
• UNRV

This article about the military history of Ancient Rome is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Military units and formations of ancient Rome Ancient Roman titles Ancient Rome military stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая? Diagnostic Medical Sonography Paul Balmer Look at other dictionaries: DISCES — discens …   Abbreviations in Latin Inscriptions DSCAS — discens signifer castris, discens signiferorum castris …   Abbreviations in Latin Inscriptions DSKAR — Discens signifer Karthagine, discens signiferorum Karthagine …   Abbreviations in Latin Inscriptions DSTIMIDARE — discens signifer Thimida Regia, discens signiferorum Thimida Regia …   Abbreviations in Latin Inscriptions DISCESREGULAVSLM — discens regulatorum votum solvit libens merito …   Abbreviations in Latin Inscriptions DSARMKAR — discens signiferorum armatura Karthagine …   Abbreviations in Latin Inscriptions DSCAST — discens signiferorum castris …   Abbreviations in Latin Inscriptions DSLEP — discens signiferorum Lepci …   Abbreviations in Latin Inscriptions DSSAB — discens signiferorum Sabratha …   Abbreviations in Latin Inscriptions DSSABR — discens signifer Sabratha …   Abbreviations in Latin Inscriptions 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”