An ''aeneator'' ( lat, aēneātor or ) was a specialized player of wind instruments who was attached to a Roman military unit. The word comes from Latin ''aēneus'' or ''ahēneus'', "brazen", from ''aes'', "
copper alloy". While the size of individual Roman military units may have varied, they made extensive use of both acoustical and visual signaling in communications and each had an assigned banner bearer (''
vexillarius'') and at least one ''aeneator''. A variety of instruments were used by ''aeneatores'', including the ''
buccina
A buccina ( lat, buccina) or bucina ( lat, būcina, link=no), anglicized buccin or bucine, is a brass instrument that was used in the ancient Roman army, similar to the cornu. An ''aeneator'' who blew a buccina was called a "buccinator" or "buci ...
'', ''
cornu'', ''
tuba'', and ''
lituus''. In addition to their roles in the Roman army, ''aeneatores'' were also used for processionals and games, particularly in marching home from war.
Categories of ''aeneatores''
''Aeneatores'' who blew a ''buccina'' (a ''C''-shaped horn made of bronze or silver or animal horn) were known as ''
buccinators''; those who blew a ''cornu'' (a ''G''-shaped horn made of brass) were known as ''
cornicines''; those who blew a ''tuba'' (a straight bronze horn with a slight flare at the end)
[
] were known as ''
tubicines'' or ''tubatores''; players of the ''lituus'' were called ''liticines''. ''Cornicines'' and ''tubicines'' mostly performed uncomplicated tactical signaling on the battlefield, and therefore were not accorded special status in the military unit.
[
] They had call duties in the barracks, just as other commonly conscripted soldiers had. By contrast, the ''bucinator'' was seen as a specially-skilled member of the unit who was capable of performing a wider repertoire and was used to perform a variety of ceremonial duties. Many units accorded ''bucinators
immunes
The ''immunes'' were Ancient Roman soldiers who possessed specialized skills. They were exempt from the more tedious and dangerous tasks other soldiers were required to do, such as ditch digging and rampart patrol.
Becoming an immune
Prior to be ...
'' status,
and there were
equestrian
The word equestrian is a reference to equestrianism, or horseback riding, derived from Latin ' and ', "horse".
Horseback riding (or Riding in British English)
Examples of this are:
*Equestrian sports
*Equestrian order, one of the upper classes in ...
''bucinatores'' that served as cavalry buglers.
See also
*
List of Roman army unit types
This is a list of Roman army units and bureaucrats.
*'' Accensus'' – Light infantry men in the armies of the early Roman Republic, made up of the poorest men of the army.
*''Actuarius'' – A military who served food.
*''Adiutor'' – A camp or ...
References
{{reflist
Ancient Roman music
Military ranks of ancient Rome
hu:Aeneator