Legatus legionis

Legatus legionis was a title awarded to legion commanders in Ancient Rome.

History
By the time of the Roman Republic, the term legatus delegated authority (usually a consul or proconsul). Julius Caesar made wide use of the title throughout the Gallic Wars.

From Augustus, the emperor gave the title of legatus legionis to senior commanders (former Tribunes) of a legion, except in Egypt and Mesopotamia, where the legions were commanded by a praefectus legionis of an equestrian rank. The legatus legionis was under the supreme command of Legatus Augusti pro praetore of senatorial rank. If the province was defended by a single legion, the Legatus Augusti pro praetor was also in direct command of the legion.

A legatus legionis could order capital punishment.

The senatorial legatus legionis was removed from the Roman army by Gallienus, who preferred to entrust the command of a legionary unit to a leader chosen from within the equestrian order who had a long military career.

This post generally lasted 3 or 4 years, but could be much longer. A legatus legionis was usually from a wealthy or important family.

In popular culture

 * Most famously, on Maximus' left arm in the movie Gladiator. As a slave, he removes it using a sharp instrument (possibly a sharpened stone) as he feels betrayed by the leaders of Legatus legionis.


 * The book Voluptas by Jonathan Shane O'Brien contains a character, Vincent, who is a legatus legionis.


 * The book When the Eagle Hunts by Simon Scarrow features General Vespasian (who became Emperor in 69 AD), when he served as legatus legionis in Britain.


 * In Fallout: New Vegas, the Legate Lanius was a Legatus Legionis.


 * In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Legate Rikke is a Legatus Legionis.