Cohors amicorum
Cohors amicorum is a Latin term literally meaning "cohort of friends". The notion cohort is to be taken not in the strict, military sense, but indicated a fairly large number; accordingly, friend is to be taken in a loose sense, rather as in amicus curiae; compare the Hellenistic aulic title philos .
Roman history
- Originally, since the Roman Republic proper, the cohors amicorum was synonymous with the cohors praetoria, so called after the praetorium, the tent –in the field– or more permanent dwelling of a Roman commanding general, military headquarters but also site of his other actions, e. g. as a judge, possibly on an adjoining podium called tribunal. The military staff company functioned as suite and bodyguard of a high Roman official, such as a Roman governor, who brought a trusted staff of most kinds with him to his post, especially in command of one or more legions.
- In the Principate, high administrative offices tended to be separated from military command, transferred to imperial legates. But the various not strictly military functions still had to be acquitted, so there was a mainly civilian 'company' of clerks, advisors, retainers a. o., still referred to in such terms as cohors, amici, possibly specified by the pivotal personality, e. g. amici principis around the Emperor. In fact, the administration was to be streamlined in a rather typical officium with ever more detailed rules on competences, career, etc.
- Its members were termed cohortalis ; the diminutive cohortalinus became a generic term for non-cadre clerks in a high dignitary's officium, mainly administrative staff.