An ''aeneator'' ( 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 Copper alloys are metal alloys that have copper as their principal component. They have high resistance against corrosion. Of the large number of different types, the best known traditional types are bronze, where tin is a significant addition, ...

". 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 left, A reenactor, equipped as a ''vexillifer'', with a ''vexillum'' standard Vexillarius is a term referring to one of several distinct types of Roman soldier. A vexillarius or vexillifer was one of the '' signiferi'' in a Roman legion. His dut ...

'') and at least one ''aeneator''. A variety of instruments were used by ''aeneatores'', including the ''

buccina A ''buccina'' () or ''bucina'' (; ), 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 "''bucinator' ...

'', '' cornu'', ''

tuba The tuba (; ) is the largest and lowest-pitched musical instrument in the brass instrument, brass family. As with all brass instruments, the sound is produced by lip vibrationa buzzinto a mouthpiece (brass), mouthpiece. It first appeared in th ...

'', and ''

lituus The word ''lituus'' originally meant a curved augural staff, or a curved war-trumpet in the ancient Latin language. This Latin word continued in use through the 18th century as an alternative to the vernacular names of various musical instrument ...

''. 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 ''

buccinator The bucinator () is a thin quadrilateral muscle occupying the interval between the maxilla and the mandible at the side of the face. It forms the anterior part of the cheek or the lateral wall of the oral cavity.Illustrated Anatomy of the Head an ...

s''; 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 ''immunis'' Prior ...

'' 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.

References

{{reflist Ancient Roman music Military ranks of ancient Rome hu:Aeneator

Categories of ''aeneatores''

See also

References