Ancient history

Who were auxiliaries and what did they do?

Auxiliaries were non-Roman soldiers who served in the Roman army. They were recruited from conquered territories and allied states, and they made up a significant portion of the Roman military. Auxiliaries were typically organized into cohorts, which were similar to Roman legions but were smaller in size and had a more diverse makeup. Auxiliaries fought alongside Roman legionaries in battle and performed various tasks, including scouting, skirmishing, and garrison duty. They were also often used as light infantry and cavalry units.

Some auxiliaries were granted Roman citizenship after serving their time in the military, and some even rose to high ranks within the Roman army. Auxiliaries played an important role in the Roman military and helped to maintain the empire's borders and security.