A ''discens'' () was a soldier of the
military of ancient Rome
The military of ancient Rome was one of largest pre-modern professional standing armies that ever existed. At its height, protecting over 7,000 kilometers of border and consisting of over 400,000 legionaries and auxiliaries, the army was the mos ...
who was in training to become an ''
immunis'', or specialist within the army.
''Immunes'' took up the trades and skills of
engineers
Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who invent, design, build, maintain and test machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials. They aim to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while consider ...
, field
medics,
carpenter
Carpentry is a skilled trade and a craft in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping and installation of building materials during the construction of buildings, ships, timber bridges, concrete formwork, etc. Carpenter ...
s, and
craftsmen. However, they were also fully trained and would be expected to fight in the
infantry
Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...
or
cavalry
Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from ''cheval'' meaning "horse") are groups of soldiers or warriors who Horses in warfare, fight mounted on horseback. Until the 20th century, cavalry were the most mob ...
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 trumpeter.
* ''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.
* Peddie, John. ''The Roman War Machine''. Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd. 1995.
* Webster, Graham. ''The Roman Imperial Army'' A. and C. Black (Publishers) Limited 1979 (2nd edition)
* The temetfuture web site: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/temetfutue/
UNRV
Military units and formations of ancient Rome
Ancient Roman titles
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