heavier and more experienced infantry, take over. If the principes did not break them, they would retire behind the triarii, who would then engage the enemy in turn—hence the expression rem ad Triarios redisse, "it has come to the triarii"—signalling an act of desperation. The equites, cavalrymen, were used as flankers and to pursue routing enemies. The rorarii, the poorer reserve soldiers, and accensi, the least dependable troops armed with slings, would be used in a support role, providing mass and supporting wavering areas of the line. Polybian system By the time of the later Polybian system of the 2nd century BC, accensi had been phased out. Velites, light skirmishers, would now fulfill skirmishing duties and troops that would usually have gone into the accensi would now be excluded from service. Civil servants As with the lictors, Accensi were usually professional civil servants, providing assistance to the elected magistrates during their term in office. They also helped in writing edicts and laws. In the courts, they summoned witnesses, kept track of time, and helped keep order. Outside of the courts, they escorted the magistrate and acted as heralds. It is also possible they were messengers and orderlies. The Accensi Velati were non military participants of military campaigns. They probably assisted clerks, accountants, supply officials, and aides. The Accensi Velati had a centuriate assembly dedicated to them. The Accensi Velati also assisted religious affairs especially the Feriae Latinae. The Accensi Velati formed a collegium dedicated to managing the streets. See also Structural history of the Roman military Roman infantry tactics List of Roman army unit types References Military units and formations of the Roman Republic Infantry units and formations of ancient Rome Military units and formations of ancient Rome