socii equites extraordinarii rome 2 flying wedge

The unit moves into a flying wedge-shaped attack formation. The unit raises their shields and turns towards the aggressor. Although they received none of the equestrians' social and political powers, they eventually replaced the aristocracy in the ranks of the Roman cavalry, allowing the equestrians to become senior officers in the newer Marian Legions. During the Samnite and Punic Wars, the equites’ ranks were opened to first class commoners. Mundane duties such as patrol or reconnaissance would be the work of the equites extraordinarii of the Socii, the Romans’ collected Italian allies.

Showing prowess on the battlefield was an important step towards gaining political office and prestige for their families. Mostly drawn from the young sons of elite society, these were men keen to show their courage. One of these men would be the praefectus, or commander, of the squadron. Armed with a xyston lance and wearing expensive bronze cuirasses, attic helmets and greaves, these are high quality cavalry units, though they are costly to recruit. 5. The equites extraordinarii are heavy shock cavalry units, able to cause much disorder and damage with their deadly charges. and carrying equipment, and each legion may have needed as many as 1,000 mules or ponies. These equites were drawn from amongst the Socii, allied non-citizens who provided most of the early Republics cavalry. HANDBOOK TO LIFE IN ANCIENT ROME 198 5.4 The single-arched masonry bridge at Vaison-la-Romaine, Provence. There were usually some 300 equites in each Republican Legion, organised into ten turmae of thirty horsemen each under the command of three decuriones. The pier foundations have triangular cutwaters. To be a member of the equestrian class meant that a man was rich enough to keep a horse, and provide his own armour, shield and spear. Recruited from the gentry and lower aristocratic classes of Roman society, the equites were the cavalrymen of the royal and early Republican Roman armies.

Socii equites extraordinarii rome 2 flying wedge