Tribunus angusticlavius

A tribunus angusticlavius ("narrow-striped tribune"; pl.: tribuni angusticlavii) was a senior military officer in the Roman legions during the late Roman Republic and the Principate.

The tribunus angusticlavius was a junior military tribune who was at least 20 years old,^[1] chosen from among the Equestrian order, as opposed to the tribunus laticlavius, who was chosen from the Senatorial class. There were five to each legion, identified by a narrow purple stripe (angustus clavus or angusticlavus) on their tunics.^[2] Despite their youth, the tribunes had previous experience, usually as a praefectus leading a quingenary auxiliary cohort.^[2] Their duties varied, mostly staff work, but also lead two cohorts.^[3] The next step of promotion was often as praefectus of a 500-strong cavalry ala.^[2] There were 141 of these at a time.^[4]

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