Rorarii

Republican Rorarii. Republic of Rome. 28 mm Miniatures. Punic Wars: Hannibal at the Gates. Produced by Tofer’s Miniatures.

Rorarii (singular: rorarius) were a class of light infantry in the early pre-Marian Roman army, active primarily before the 2nd century BC. Positioned at the very rear of the Roman battle formation, they served as the final line of defense or a reserve force. 

Historical Role and Characteristics
-Tactical Position: In the traditional manipular legion, they stood behind the triarii (the veteran third line). If a battle reached the rorarii, it indicated a near-total collapse of the Roman lines.
-Social Status: They were typically composed of younger, less experienced men from the poorer classes of Roman society who could not afford the heavy armor of the hastati or principes.
-Equipment: Their primary weapons were spears (hasta) and light javelins, and they carried the scutum (shield) but generally wore little to no body armor, sometimes only a helmet.
-Phasing Out: During the Second Punic War (218–201 BC), the rorarii were gradually replaced by the more specialized velites as the Roman military shifted toward more flexible skirmisher units. 

Produced by Tofer's Miniatures
The model was designed by Resin Warfare