auxilia

Roman auxiliary troops, including units of cavalry and light infantry. They were recruited from noncitizens in the provinces outside Italy and were often employed as provincial garrisons. Pay was lower than that received by the legions and their term of service was longer, but from the reign of Claudius onwards the auxiliaries were granted Roman citizenship at the end of their service.

Some of the auxiliary units (such as oriental archers and Balearic slingers) retained their native weapons.