Ad Signa

INFANTRY DRILL COMMANDS

Commands types:

Cautionary (warning given 3-4 paces before the executive command)

Executive (given when the right foot is on the ground)

Pace Length:

Quick/slow time 30 inches
Double time 40 inches

Marching Cadence:

Quick time 120/minut
Slow time 60/minute
Double time 180/minute

Accelerate	A-kel-e-ra-te	Speed up
Aciem formate	Ak-ee-em for-ma-te	Form battle-line	Legions adopted an open formation for advance in battle. The rank(s) face the enemy with shields to the front and pilum ready to volley. File fronts are 3’ (on centre) and ranks are 6’ apart (to allow throwing room for pila).
Ad gladios clinate	Add gla-dee-os clee-na-te	Turn to the right	Turn 90^o to the right (towards your gladius). With knees braced, pivot using your right heel and left toe ending with your weight on the right foot. Bring your left foot forward and assume attention position.
Ad gladios rotate	Add gla-dee-os row-ta-te	Right wheel	While marching, the soldier on the far right stops moving forward, marches in place and starts to rotate slowly clockwise. This soldier, and all others in the rank (except for the one on the far left) looks to his left to make sure he is even with the men to his left. The soldier on the far left looks to his right, along the length of the line, and controls the wheel speed.
Ad scuta clinate	Add scoo-ta clee-na-te	Left Face	Turn 90^o to the left (towards your scutum). This is the reverse of the ad gladius clinate.
Ad scuta rotate	Add scoo-ta row-ta-te	Left Wheel	This counter clockwise left wheel is a reverse of ad gladius rotate.
Ad signa	Add sig-na	Fall in	Grab your shield and pilum and fall-in to the left of the vexillum in a single rank (shoulder-to-shoulder) facing the CO/OC.
Agmen formate	Ag-men for-ma-te	Form marching column	Form a single (or double) file column. This is the marching formation employed when not in battle.
Clamate	Cla-ma-te	Battle-Cry	With respect to battle cries, barbarians (i.e. Germans) relied upon their barites (battle cry) to bolster the courage of their troops, however the Romans recognized that noise contributes to confusion and command loss. Whereas early Roman armies (i.e. Republican period) banged their shields and yelled as they advanced, in the Principate they were silent until the pila discharge. Goldsworthy (in his book The Complete Roman Army) provides the following sequence of events - at 30-50’pila were discharged, then a shout was given, the cornu was sounded and the men charged. The combined pila volley and "last minute scream" unnerved the enemy. If their opponents did not flee then the lines clashed. Silence reigned at all other times.
Cuneum formate	Cu-nee-um for-ma-te	Form wedge	For this manoeuvre some re-enactment groups place their Centurio at the centre of the first rank leading a charge. The men trail off to his left and right which leaves him exposed as a candidate to become the first casualty. The precise Roman formation is unknown.
Exite	Ex-ee-te	Transforms two ranks into one	Following a langia order, the rear rank takes one step to the left and then advances to the front creating a single rank.
Exspectate	Ex-spec-ta-te	Wait for it
Frontem dirigite	Fron-tem di-ri-ge-te	Dress the ranks	The man on the right holds fast while those to his left maintain their shoulders squared to the front & turn their heads right 45^o. Extend your right elbow to the man to your right (this will establish [close order] spacing of roughly 2’ between files on centre). Ensure that the rank forms a straight line with shield bosses facing left, legs together and caligae aligned. If there are two ranks then ‘uno’ will dress the first rank and ‘duo’ the second with 6’ spacing between the ranks. [M]
Gladios recondite	Gla-dee-os re-con-de-te	Sheath swords
Gladios stringite	Gla-dee-os strin-ge-te	Draw swords
Intra	In-tra	Transforms one rank into two	The soldier starting from the far left (and every other man thereafter) takes one step back, and then shifts to the right directly behind the man who had been to his immediate right.
Iungete	Yung-e-te	Close ranks.	This tightens up the two ranks created by an intra command.
Langia ad ambas partes	Lan-gia add am-bas par-tes	Move out to both sides (Open order)	Extend your left and right arms laterally (this increases spacing to 6’ between files on centre and enables a unit to march in formation over rough terrain more easily and discharge their pila without endangering their comrades).
Langia ad senestram amba parte	Lan-gia add se-nes-tram am-ba par-te	Close order	Extend your left arm to the shoulder of the man to your left (this increases the lateral spacing to 3’ between each soldier). [M]
Laxate	Lax-a-te	At ease	Set your shield down on edge, rest your pilum butt spike on the ground, and stand at ease with feet apart, shoulders squared and facing the front. Maintain silence.
Mandata captate	Man-da-ta cap-ta-te	Attention	Stand at attention (shoulders back, eyes front). Hold your shield by its grip in your left hand and your pilum vertically in the right (just below the square block). [M]
Movete	Mo-way-te	March	March to the front. Start with your left foot & a first step of 15" followed by regular 30" paces. The heel touches the ground first. [M] If preceded by a command, such as "ad gladios clina - movete!" then face the indicated direction, and step off to the front. Step can be maintained by calling out "sin, dex…"
Nunc	Nunc	Now!	Execute the preceding command. (i.e., ad gladios clinate – nunc)
Orbem formate	Or-bem for-ma-te	Form a circle	When surrounded, legionaries formed a defensive circle with archers and officers in the centre.
Ordenem servate	Or-den-em ser-wa-te	Keep your position	Hold fast. [M]
Parate	Pa-raw-tay (adverb)	Prepare	While facing the enemy (typically the spectators) with swords drawn, prepare to attack.
Parati	Par-a-tee	Ready	[M]
Pila deponite	Pee-la day-po-ni-te	Lay down your pilum
Pila iacite	Pee-la ee-a-ke-te	Throw your spear	Advance three steps (left, right, left), thrust off the ground with your back (right) foot and throw. Immediately following the discharge you land on your right foot, draw your sword with your right hand and extend it past your shield, bring your left foot forward, and halt to await orders to charge or receive a charge.
Pila infigete	Pee-la in-fee-gay-te	Plant your pilum	Stick the butt spike into the earth.
Pila parate	Pee-la pa-ra-tay	Prepare to throw your pilum	Advance one pace with your right foot, grip your pila and hold at shoulder level parallel to the ground. (NOTE: some US groups have the left foot followed by - grip and raise your pila and cock your arm for throwing).
Pila tollite	Pee-la to-le-tee	Pick up pilum
Porro	Po-ro		Attack. Maintain the ranks and advance at double pace with your sword drawn.
Quadratum Formate	Qua-dra-tum for-ma-te	Form a square
Silentium	See-len-tee-oom	Silence	Cease talking in the ranks. [M]
State	Sta-te	Halt	The command is issued when the right foot is extended and on the ground. Stop on your left foot, bring your right foot alongside and stand at attention.
Tacete	Ta-cay-te	Be silent
Tacite	Ta-ce-tay	Quietly	This is an adverb that can be attached to a command.
Tardate	Tar-da-te	Slow down
Tarde	Tar-de	Slowly	This is an adverb that can be attached to a command.
Testudinem formate	Tes-tud-in-um for-ma-te	Form testudo	This formation can be created using as few as six men in three files of two ranks. The front rank is arranged with shields before them and drawn blades projecting between their shields. The second rank raises its shields horizontally and holds them over their heads and the heads of those of the first rank. The formation contracts to form a turtle-like shell. Everyone advances maintaining a uniform step. Cohesion can be assisted with a chant such as Ro-ma, Dex-Sin, etc. The testudo protects men engaged in siege mining or advancing under heavy missile fire.
Transformate	Trans-for-ma-te	About face	Turn to your right 180^o (unless you hear "ad scutum, transforma"). Brace your legs and lock your thighs to maintain your balance. Pivot using your right heel and left toe ending with your weight on the right foot. Bring your left foot forward and assume attention position.
Vos Dimitto	Wos dee-mitt-o	I dismiss you

INITIAL COMMANDS
Ad signa	Add sig-na	Fall in	Grab your shield and pilum and fall-in to the left of the vexillum in a single rank (shoulder-to-shoulder) facing the CO/OC.
Silentium	See-len-tee-oom	Silence	Cease talking in the ranks. [M]
Mandata captate	Man-da-ta cap-ta-te	Attention	Stand at attention (shoulders back, eyes front). Hold your shield by its grip in your left hand and your pilum vertically in the right (just below the square block). [M]
DRESSING THE RANKS
Frontem dirigite	Fron-tem di-ri-ge-te	Dress the ranks	The man on the right holds fast while those to his left maintain their shoulders squared to the front & turn their heads right 45^o. Extend your right elbow to the man to your right (this will establish [close order] spacing of roughly 2’ between files on centre). Ensure that the rank forms a straight line with shield bosses facing left, legs together and caligae aligned. If there are two ranks then ‘uno’ will dress the first rank and ‘duo’ the second with 6’ spacing between the ranks. [M]
Langia ad senestram amba parte	Lan-gia add se-nes-tram am-ba par-te	Close order	Extend your left arm to the shoulder of the man to your left (this increases the lateral spacing to 3’ between each soldier). [M]
Laxate	Lax-a-te	At ease	Set your shield down on edge, rest your pilum butt spike on the ground, and stand at ease with feet apart, shoulders squared and facing the front. Maintain silence.
Intra	In-tra	Transforms one rank into two	The soldier starting from the far left (and every other man thereafter) takes one step back, and then shifts to the right directly behind the man who had been to his immediate right.
Iungete	Yung-e-te	Close ranks.	This tightens up the two ranks created by an intra command.
Exite	Ex-ee-te	Transforms two ranks into one	Following a langia order, the rear rank takes one step to the left and then advances to the front creating a single rank.
TURNING AND INCLINING FROM THE HALT
Ad gladios clinate	Add gla-dee-os clee-na-te	Turn to the right	Turn 90^o to the right (towards your gladius). With knees braced, pivot using your right heel and left toe ending with your weight on the right foot. Bring your left foot forward and assume attention position.
Ad scuta clinate	Add scoo-ta clee-na-te	Left Face	Turn 90^o to the left (towards your scutum). This is the reverse of the ad gladius clinate.
Transformate	Trans-for-ma-te	About face	Turn to your right 180^o (unless you hear "ad scutum, transforma"). Brace your legs and lock your thighs to maintain your balance. Pivot using your right heel and left toe ending with your weight on the right foot. Bring your left foot forward and assume attention position.
MARCHING
Agmen formate	Ag-men for-ma-te	Form marching column	Form a single (or double) file column. This is the marching formation employed when not in battle.
Ad gladios rotate	Add gla-dee-os row-ta-te	Right wheel	While marching, the soldier on the far right stops moving forward, marches in place and starts to rotate slowly clockwise. This soldier, and all others in the rank (except for the one on the far left) looks to his left to make sure he is even with the men to his left. The soldier on the far left looks to his right, along the length of the line, and controls the wheel speed.
Ad scuta rotate	Add scoo-ta row-ta-te	Left Wheel	This counter clockwise left wheel is a reverse of ad gladius rotate.
Accelerate	A-kel-e-ra-te	Speed up
Movete	Mo-way-te	March	March to the front. Start with your left foot & a first step of 15" followed by regular 30" paces. The heel touches the ground first. [M] If preceded by a command, such as "ad gladios clina - movete!" then face the indicated direction, and step off to the front. Step can be maintained by calling out "sin, dex…"
Tardate	Tar-da-te	Slow down
Tarde	Tar-de	Slowly	This is an adverb that can be attached to a command.
State	Sta-te	Halt	The command is issued when the right foot is extended and on the ground. Stop on your left foot, bring your right foot alongside and stand at attention.
COMBAT FORMATION COMMANDS
Aciem formate	Ak-ee-em for-ma-te	Form battle-line	Legions adopted an open formation for advance in battle. The rank(s) face the enemy with shields to the front and pilum ready to volley. File fronts are 3’ (on centre) and ranks are 6’ apart (to allow throwing room for pila).
Cuneum formate	Cu-nee-um for-ma-te	Form wedge	For this manoeuvre some re-enactment groups place their Centurio at the centre of the first rank leading a charge. The men trail off to his left and right which leaves him exposed as a candidate to become the first casualty. The precise Roman formation is unknown.
Orbem formate	Or-bem for-ma-te	Form a circle	When surrounded, legionaries formed a defensive circle with archers and officers in the centre.
Quadratum Formate	Qua-dra-tum for-ma-te	Form a square
Testudinem formate	Tes-tud-in-um for-ma-te	Form testudo	This formation can be created using as few as six men in three files of two ranks. The front rank is arranged with shields before them and drawn blades projecting between their shields. The second rank raises its shields horizontally and holds them over their heads and the heads of those of the first rank. The formation contracts to form a turtle-like shell. Everyone advances maintaining a uniform step. Cohesion can be assisted with a chant such as Ro-ma, Dex-Sin, etc. The testudo protects men engaged in siege mining or advancing under heavy missile fire.
PILA COMMANDS
Pila deponite	Pee-la day-po-ni-te	Lay down your pilum
Pila tollite	Pee-la to-le-tee	Pick up pilum
Pila infigete	Pee-la in-fee-gay-te	Plant your pilum	Stick the butt spike into the earth.
Langia ad ambas partes	Lan-gia add am-bas par-tes	Move out to both sides	Extend your left and right arms laterally (this increases spacing to 6’ between files on centre and enables a unit to march in formation over rough terrain more easily and discharge their pila without endangering their comrades).
Pila parate	Pee-la pa-ra-tay	Prepare to throw your pilum	Advance one pace with your right foot, grip your pila and hold at shoulder level parallel to the ground. (NOTE: some US groups have the left foot followed by - grip and raise your pila and cock your arm for throwing).
Pila iacite	Pee-la ee-a-ke-te	Throw your spear	Advance three steps (left, right, left), thrust off the ground with your back (right) foot and throw. Immediately following the discharge you land on your right foot, draw your sword with your right hand and extend it past your shield, bring your left foot forward, and halt to await orders to charge or receive a charge.
GLADIUS COMMANDS
Gladios recondite	Gla-dee-os re-con-de-te	Sheath swords
Gladios stringite	Gla-dee-os strin-ge-te	Draw swords
ATTACK COMMANDS
Ordenem servate	Or-den-em ser-wa-te	Keep your position	Hold fast. [M]
Exspectate	Ex-spec-ta-te	Wait for it
Parate	Pa-raw-tay (adverb)	Prepare	While facing the enemy (typically the spectators) with swords drawn, prepare to attack.
Parati	Par-a-tee	Ready	[M]
Porro	Po-ro		Attack. Maintain the ranks and advance at double pace with your sword drawn.
Clamate	Cla-ma-te	Battle-Cry	With respect to battle cries, barbarians (i.e. Germans) relied upon their barites (battle cry) to bolster the courage of their troops; however the Romans recognized that noise contributes to confusion and command loss. Whereas early Roman armies (i.e. Republican period) banged their shields and yelled as they advanced, in the Principate they were silent until the pila discharge. Goldsworthy (in his book The Complete Roman Army) provides the following sequence of events - at 30-50’pila were discharged, then a shout was given, the cornu was sounded and the men charged. The combined pila volley and "last minute scream" unnerved the enemy. If their opponents did not flee then the lines clashed. Silence reigned at all other times.
OTHER
Tacete	Ta-cay-te	Be silent
Tacite	Ta-ce-tay	Quietly	This is an adverb that can be attached to a command.
Nunc	Nunc	Now	Execute the preceding command. (i.e., ad gladios clinate – nunc)
Vos Dimitto	Wos dee-mitt-o	I dismiss you

ARTILLERY DRILL COMMANDS

Ballistam/Catapultam Parate	Prepare the Piece for Firing
Catapultam Torquete	Wind the Piece
Sagittam Ponite	Load the Piece
Catapultam Dirigite	Aim the Piece
Parate	Prepare to Fire
Dimittite	Fire
Tutam Reddite	Secure the Piece