Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Caetrati" in English language version.
He sent out Octavius Graecinus with a strong force of ten cohorts armed as legionaries – we do not know whether these troops were Spanish or Roman or a mixture of both – and ten cohorts of Spanish light infantry caetrati, supported by 2,000 cavalry commanded by Tarquitius Priscus. They moved by night, avoiding detection by Pompey's main force, and took up a position along the route which they knew the convoy would have to take on its return journey. These officers amply ...
Light infantry used the caetra, a light, round, and slightly convex buckler shield of Spanish design made of leather, wicker, or wood with a metal boss and handgrip. The caetrati infantry was armed with javelins and the falcata sword, and its troops relied upon speed and agility in sword-and-buckler combat. Hannibal often used his light troops more adventurously than his enemies did theirs. Along with slingers, the caetrati carried out all the classic tasks of light infantry including ...
Both were light-armed troops, such as might be used to guard an encamped army or intended to hold a position on the wing of a battle-line. ... Rather, as L. xliv 40.4—6 says, the bodies of light-armed troops were stationed as outposts on either side.46 That is what emerges too from the account of Zonaras ix 23: 'at first these troops (those near the watering-point) fought by themselves, and ... 1, caetrati (so-called from their shield resembling a Spanish shield), and also for the troops who ...
