Bucellarii(theLatinplural ofBucellarius;literally "biscuit–eater",[1]Greek:Βουκελλάριοι) were formations of escort troops used in theRoman EmpireinLate Antiquity.[2][a]They were employed by high-ranking military figures (such asFlavius AetiusandBelisarius) or civil office-holders.[2][3]Their name is derived from the type of bread rations eaten by these troops, so-calledbuccellatum.[2]The termbucellariicame into common use during the reign of EmperorHonorius(r. 395–423).[2]
According toJon Coulston,onebucellariiregiment is attested in theNotitia Dignitatum.[2]The creation of thebucellariireflected an increase in the "use of armed retinues by public officials" in the Roman Empire.[2]These armies were, therefore, associated with the decline of imperial authority because they demonstrated that it no longer had the monopoly of violence.[4][5]Thebucellariushad close ties with its commander, supporting him in his quarrel with other commanders and even against the Empire, court, and emperor. This is shown by the army ofHeraclian,which was used in his attempt to seizeRoman ItalyfromEmperor Honorius.[6]
Coulston notes that thebucellariiprovided the best cavalry in 5th and 6th century Roman armies, and were "recruited from Romans,Persians,Goths,andHuns,amongst others ".[2]The recruitment of soldiers of barbarian origin is well-documented as evidenced in the description of the army inherited byConstantius' widowGalla Placidia.[6]The poetClaudianalso described thebucellariias an army of barbarians under the employ of military figures, politicians, and warlords such asStilicho,Aetius, and thepraetorian prefectRufinus.[5]
Thebucellariigenerally received the highest salaries and were armed with the best equipment from the empire's factories.[7]Some sources state that thebucellariiwere mercenaries and describe their leaders as soldiers of fortune.[4]This was particularly the case for the military companies that operated in Italy from the sixth to seventh centuries.[4]
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