Life in the Roman world of Nero and StPaul . nailed service. But if our youngnoble, Publius Silius Bassus, enters upon a militarycareer, he will probably become one of the 120Roman horsemen attached to the legion, and will beserving as a knight or gentleman, with servantsto relieve him of his rougher work. The cavalry-men among whom he serves do not ride upon asaddle with stirrups, but on a mere their left arm is a round shield or buckler; theycarry a spear of extreme reach, wear a longer swordthan the infantrymen, and on their back is a quivercontaining three broad-pointed jave
Life in the Roman world of Nero and StPaul . nailed service. But if our youngnoble, Publius Silius Bassus, enters upon a militarycareer, he will probably become one of the 120Roman horsemen attached to the legion, and will beserving as a knight or gentleman, with servantsto relieve him of his rougher work. The cavalry-men among whom he serves do not ride upon asaddle with stirrups, but on a mere their left arm is a round shield or buckler; theycarry a spear of extreme reach, wear a longer swordthan the infantrymen, and on their back is a quivercontaining three broad-pointed javelins, very similarto assegais, which serve them as missiles. If by THE ARMY 357 good service they obtain medallions like the infantry,they will fasten them to the bridles and breast-strapsof their horses, and altogether will make a fine andjingling show. Through the influence of his family,Pubhus will most likely be taken under the personalsupervision of the general in command, will frequentlymess with him, and will perhaps act as a kind of. Fig. 108.—Auxiliary Cavalryman. honorary aide-de-camp. After a sufficient initiationinto military business, he will be appointed whatmay be called colonel of an infantry regiment ofauxiliaries, then colonel of a regiment of the legion,and subsequently, if he is following the profession,colonel of a regiment of the auxiliary cavalry. Hedoes not at any time pass through the rank ofcenturion, any more than the British officer passes 358 LIFE IN THE ROMAN WORLD chap. through that of sergeant-major. The class distinctionis at least as great in the case of the Romans. When the young noble has completed this seriesof services — although the whole of it is not absolutelynecessary, and it will be sufficient if he has been sixmonths titular colonel of a regiment of the legion —he may perhaps return to Rome, and at the age oftwenty-five may enter upon his first public position,and so become himself a senator. His duties may beconnected with the
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