{{Short description|Ancient Roman specialist soldiers}} {{Italics title}} {{RomanMilitary}} The '''''immunes''''' were ancient Roman soldiers who possessed specialized skills. They were exempt from the more tedious and dangerous tasks other soldiers were required to do, such as ditch digging and rampart patrol.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roman-britain.co.uk/military/glossary/|title=Roman Military Glossary|website=Roman Britain}}</ref>
==Becoming an ''immunis''== Prior to becoming an ''immunis'', men were required to serve as ''miles gregarius'' (also known as ''munifex''), a non-specialist regular soldier. These men were the soldiers that made up the bulk of the legions, liable to perform guard duties, labour work and other less than desired duties. ''Milites'' would usually have to serve for several years before becoming eligible for training to become ''immunes''.
''Immunis'' status within the army was achieved either through selection or through promotion. If not possessing the specialist skills that could see a soldier chosen to become an ''immunis'', the legionary who wished to become one would have to undergo a period of specialist training, during which time they would be known as ''discens''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://history-world.org/roman_army.htm|title=The Roman Army|accessdate=2008-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603205504/http://history-world.org/roman_army.htm|archive-date=2018-06-03|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The ''discens'' received the same basic pay and board as the non-specialists until he qualified for ''immunis'' status.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://s_van_dorst.tripod.com/Ancient_Warfare/Rome/hierarchy.html|title= Rank Structure of the Imperial Roman Army|website=s_van_dorst.tripod.com|accessdate=2008-01-10 }}</ref>
==Typical duties== Engineers, artillerymen, musicians, drill and weapons instructors, military police, carpenters, hunters and medical staff were among the multiple specialized jobs ''immunes'' provided for the Roman army. ''Immunes'' also received better pay than the regular troops.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/britannia/wales/legio.html|title = The Roman Legion|website=penelope.uchicago.edu}}</ref>
== Citations == {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20180603205504/http://history-world.org/roman_army.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20180603205504/http://history-world.org/roman_army.htm]}} *[http://s_van_dorst.tripod.com/Ancient_Warfare/Rome/hierarchy.html http://s_van_dorst.tripod.com/Ancient_Warfare/Rome/hierarchy.html] *[https://www.roman-britain.co.uk/glossary/ https://www.roman-britain.co.uk/glossary/]
Category:Military units and formations of ancient Rome