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Full Glossary for Gallic Wars
agger the earth rampart surrounding a camp; also the ramp built up to a town wall during a siege operation
alae an auxiliary cavalry regiment
arietes battering rams
auxila auxiliary infantry units attached to the legions
castella towers used to fortify the circumvallatio
circumvallatio field works surrounding a town under siege
cohors praetoria commander-in-chief's bodyguard, here the Tenth Legion
cuniculi mines
eruptiones sorties out of a camp or town
exploratores scouting patrols
fabri engineers
falces murales hooks used to break down walls
fossa ditch surrounding the camp, outside the agger
imperator commander-in-chief; here it is Caesar
legati staff of officers of senatorial rank; in Caesar's army they command legions. Labienus is an outstanding example.
orbis circle formation of troops, several ranks deep
ordines the officers (centurions) in charge of the groups of one hundred men
pila javelin
praefecti officers in charge of cavalry and auxiliary infantry
praefectus fabricum chief engineer
primipilus chief centurion
quaestor second in command, acts in various capacities, such as chief-of-staff or quartermaster general. Marcus Crassus is an excellent example.
scalae ladders used to climb town walls before them, the others hold their shields over their heads
speculatores individual scouts
testudo the "tortoise" formation; in this formation the men in front hold their shields
torments artillery
trihuni militum usually commanders of cohorts
turres ambulatoriae wheeled towers moved along the assault agger
vallum palisade atop agger
vineae sheds to protect workers on siege apparatus