Atribunus 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 clavusorangusticlavus) 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]
