{{short description|Ancient Roman specialist soldier in training}} {{RomanMilitary}} A '''''discens''''' ({{langx|la|discens, -entis}}) was a soldier of the military of ancient Rome who was in training to become an ''immunis'', or specialist within the army.
''Immunes'' took up the trades and skills of engineers, field medics, carpenters, and craftsmen. However, they were also fully trained and would be expected to fight in the infantry or cavalry if necessary. The ''discentes'' were probably exempted, like the ''immunes'', from standard combat and camp duties since their main occupation would have been time-consuming technical training.
Some known classes include: * ''Discens Architecti'' - Trainee engineer or artillerist. * ''Discens Armaturae'' - Trainee weapons instructor. * ''Discens Aquiliferum'' (or ''Aquiliferorum'') - Trainee eagle standard-bearer. * ''Discens Bucinatorem'' - Trainee trumpeter. * ''Discens Capsariorum'' - Trainee medical orderly. * ''Discens Epibatae'' - Trainee marine. * ''Discens Equitum'' - Trainee cavalryman. * ''Discens Lanchiariorum'' - Trainee javelin-thrower. * ''Discens Mensorem'' - Trainee surveyor. * ''Discens Phalangarium'' - A soldier training as a ''phalangarius'' during the 3rd century AD several experiments were conducted with Macedonian phalanx tactics, apparently requiring special training in weapons handling and drill. * ''Discens Signiferorum'' (or ''discentes signiferorum'') - Trainee standard-bearer.
==References== * Parker, H. M. D. ''The Roman Legions''. Barnes and Noble Books. 1993. {{ISBN|0-88029-854-5}} * Peddie, John. ''The Roman War Machine''. Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd. 1995. {{ISBN|0-938289-85-3}} * Webster, Graham. ''The Roman Imperial Army'' A. and C. Black (Publishers) Limited 1979 (2nd edition) {{ISBN|0-7136-1909-0}} * The temetfuture web site: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/temetfutue/{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} * [http://www.UNRV.com UNRV]
Category:Military units and formations of ancient Rome Category:Ancient Roman titles
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