It is worth noting here that, when reconstructing a legion from the 1st century AD, we try to pronounce words as they were pronounced at that time. For this purpose, we use the principles of the pronunciation of so-called restored Latin (*latina restitvta*). Therefore, during our conversations you are more likely to hear: kenturio, salłe, and kajsar... rather than centurio, salwe, and cezar. Learning the rules of pronunciation will make it easier to read the Latin expressions below correctly.
## Commands #### ASSEMBLY **Milites! Ad arma!** - Soldiers! To arms! Alarm! **Signifer veni** - Standard-bearer, present yourself **Ad signvm / Ad signa venite** - Come to the standard / to the standards; Assembly! **Avdite me** - Listen to me **Silentivm!** - Silence! **State** - Attention **Laxate** - Stand at ease **Envmerate** - Count off **Ad dvos / tres nvmerate** - Count off by twos / threes **Enominate** - Give your names **Adsvm** - Present **Acies** - Line, battle formation **Vnvs ordo** - One rank **Dvo / tres ordines formate**- Form two / three ranks **Primvs / secvndvs / novissimvs ordo** - First / second / last rank **Agmen** - Marching column **Dvos / tres agmina formate**- Form two / three columns **Vnvs / dvo / tres passvs (gradvs) procedite** - Advance one / two / three double steps (single steps) **Qvattvor / qvinqve / sex passvs (gradvs) recidite** - Move back four, five, six double steps (single steps) **Salvtate** - Salute **Spectate ad frontem** - Look straight ahead **Spectate ad dextram / sinistram** - Look to the right / left **Dirigite** - Align yourselves **Dirigite ad dextram / sinistram** - Align to the right / left **Arma (scvta / pila) svrsvm / deorsvm** - Weapons (shields / javelins) up / down **Arma (scvta / pila) deponite / svmite** - Put down / pick up weapons (shields / javelins) **Abite** - Dismiss **Silentivm** - silence! #### ON THE MARCH AND IN COMBAT **In aeqvatis passibvs / Sine passvs pergite **- March in step / march without step **Ad dextram / sinistram vertite** - turn right / left **Convertite** - Turn around **Dvplicate** - Double the formation **In acie ad dextram / sinistram pergite** - Move \[rotate\] in formation to the right / left **In agmine ad dextram / sinistram vertite** - Turn the column right / left **Ad signvm ad dextram / sinistram pergite** - Follow the standard to the right / left **Ad Optionem / Centvrionem pergite** - Follow the Optio / Centvrio **In loco calcate** - March in place **Recta** - Straight ahead **Consistite** - Halt **Conglobate / Densate** - Close up **In agmine / ordinibvs laxate** - Loosen the column / ranks **In agmine / ordinibvs densate** - Close up the column / ranks **Sine principalibvs pergite** - March without the officers **Transite** - “Pass through each other”; *description of the manoeuvre:* the left wing turns 90 degrees to the right, and the right wing turns 90 degrees to the left, and they pass through each other through the gaps between the columns. **Mvta locvm** - Change place; *descriptively:* a 180-degree change in the direction of march of the formation; each soldier individually follows his own column, **In duas partes separate** - “Divide into two parts”; *description of the manoeuvre:* the right and left sides of the formation from the Principales operate separately as two distinct units, each having its own assigned commanders directing their actions in the further part of the demonstration until the centvria is reunited. **Gladios stringite** - Draw swords **Gladios recondite** - Sheathe swords **Pila praeparate** - Prepare javelins \[for throwing\] **Pila iacite** - Throw javelins **Pila infigite** - Drive the javelins into the ground **Retro** - Repeat; *descriptively:* return to the previous position **Cvrrite** - At the run **Accelerate** - Speed up **Tardate** - Slow down **Pvgna! Praeparate!** - To arms! Prepare yourselves! **Porro!** - Attack! \[charge in formation\]! #### FORMATIONS **Testvdinem formate / deformate** - Form / break the tortoise formation **Cvnevm formate** - Form a wedge **Orbem formate** - Form a circular formation **Pontem formate** - Form a ramp **Ad orbem!** - To the circle! **Scvta castrorvm formate** - Shield wall #### IN CAMP **Adportate aqvam / lignvm** - Bring water / firewood **Date aqvam / lignvm** - Give water / firewood **Nvntio me! Mvnvs factvm** - I report! Task completed **Me volo campvm / latrinam / tentorivm / silvam ire** - I would like to go to the field / to the latrine / to the tent / to the forest **Permitto / Non permitto** - I permit / I do not permit **Excvbia prima ab secvnda ad qvartam horam** - First watch from the second to the fourth hour **Svrgite!** - Wake up! \[but also: Rise, Stand up, for example from the ground\] **Dormite** - Go to sleep **Cantate** - Sing **Omnes tirones / milites** - All recruits / soldiers **Laborate** - Work **Sedete** - Sit down **Videte** - Watch, look **Tentoria stativte / detendite** - Pack / pitch the tents **In tentorium** **/ tentoria** - Into the tent / tents **Extingvite lvmina** - Extinguish the lights **Orate** - Pray Learning all these expressions and performing them correctly does not by any means mark the end of Latin study for a recruit. It is difficult at our meetings to get by without basic knowledge of Roman numerals, both cardinal and ordinal, and in particular of the Latin names of all elements of weaponry and camp equipment. We invite you to read the next articles **[in the Latin language section](http://wiki.legioxxirapax.com/shelves/vi-lingva-latinorvm "V - LINGVA LATINORVM")**.