Desertor
In the military language of the Romans, a deserter. Those who deserted in time of peace
were punished by reduction to the ranks (
gradus deiectio), corporal
chastisement, fines, or ignominious dismissal from the service (
missio
ignominiosa). Those who left the standards in time of war were usually punished with
death. The
transfugae, or deserters to the enemy, when taken, were
sometimes deprived of their hands or feet (
Liv.xxvi. 12), but
generally were put to death. In imperial times they were exposed to wild beasts.