Comes Britanniarum facts for kids
The Comes Britanniarum (say: KOH-mez brih-TAN-ee-AH-room) was a very important military leader in Roman Britain. This Latin name means "Count of the Britains." This person was in charge of the main Roman army in Britain, especially the soldiers who could move around quickly to fight where needed.
This job was one of three top military positions in Roman Britain. The other two were the Dux Britanniarum (Duke of the Britains) and the Comes litoris Saxonici (Count of the Saxon Shore). The Comes Britanniarum commanded the "field army," which was different from the "frontier guards" led by the other two. The field army was ready to move and fight big battles, while frontier guards protected specific borders.
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What Was the Comes Britanniarum's Job?
Historians think the Comes Britanniarum was often appointed during emergencies. This leader would take charge of a special group of soldiers. Their main goal was to handle big problems or attacks.
This job was usually temporary. It didn't last as long as the other two military commands. But when a Comes Britanniarum was in charge, they had the highest command of all Roman forces in Britain. They were like the chief general for that specific crisis.
Famous Counts of the Britains
The first person known to hold this title was Gratianus Funarius. He was the father of a Roman emperor named Valentinian I. Gratianus might have led a special army during a campaign in Britain around 342–343 AD.
Later, during a big crisis called the "Great Conspiracy," Count Theodosius also served as a Comes in Britain. He was the father of another emperor, Theodosius I.
A permanent office for the Comes Britanniarum might have been created later. This could have happened around the late 300s or early 400s AD. It's possible that a general named Stilicho set it up. He moved many soldiers from Britain to defend Italy around 402 AD.
The Army of the Comes
According to an old Roman document called the Notitia Dignitatum (List of Offices), the Comes Britanniarum commanded a specific army. This army included six units of cavalry (soldiers on horseback) and three units of infantry (soldiers on foot). This was a fighting force of about 6,000 soldiers.
One special unit was called the Equites Taifali. These were horsemen who served under the Comes Britanniarum. Their job was to help the frontier troops. They fought against the increasing number of barbarian raids. Some of these soldiers may have been moved from the armies of the other two Roman commanders in Britain.
The job of the Comes Britanniarum likely ended around 410 AD. This was when the Romans officially left Britain.
List of Known Counts
