Triangle. The psaltery of the Scriptures. A small triangular piece of metal, which is used in military bands, emitting a sharp reverberating sound in concord with the rest of the music.
Triangle likewise means a wooden instrument consisting of three poles which are fastened at top in such a manner, that they may spread at bottom in a triangular form, and by means of spikes affixed to each pole, remain firm in the earth. An iron bar, breast high, goes across one side of the triangle. The triangles are used in the British army for the purpose of inflicting the barbarous and unmilitary punishment of whipping; a usage which is rendered the more odious by a comparison of the valor and discipline of the French, who do not allow of any such punishments. To the shame of the United States, the practice is tolerated even by law at this moment!
Shake the TRIANGLE. A phrase in the British army, applied to the condition of a man who is whipped with corded lashes on the bare back till he falls into convulsions; when he is said to shake the triangle. Where such barbarity is the costume it is not surprising that they are always beaten in the field.
TRIANON, Fr. A generical French term signifying any pavilion that stands in a park, and is unconnected with the castle or main building. Of this description was the French queen’s petit trianon in the neighborhood of Versailles.
TRIARII. Soldiers so called among the Romans. According to Kennett, the Triarii were commonly veterans, or hardy old soldiers, of long experience and approved valor. They had their name from their position, being marshalled in the third place, as the main strength and hopes of their party. They were armed with a pike, a shield, a helmet, and a cuirass. They are sometimes called Pilatii, from their weapon the Pila. See Kennett’s Roman Ant. p. 190. They were likewise stiled Tiertiarii. A certain number of these veterans was always distributed in each cohort.
Polybius, in his 6th book, classes the Roman troops under four different heads; the first he calls Pilati or Velites, light-armed men, selected from the lower order of the people, and generally composed of the youngest men in the army. The second class, consisting of pikemen, Hastati, were more advanced in age, and had more experience. The third class, called Principes, were still older, and more warlike than the second.
The fourth class consisted of the oldest, most experienced, and bravest soldiers. These were always posted in the third rank, as a reserve, to support the others in case they gave way. Hence their appellation of triarii or tiertiarii; and hence the Roman proverb, Ad triarium ventum est, signifying thereby, that the last efforts were being made. The triarii were likewise named post signani, from being posted in the rear of the princeps who carried the standard in a legion.
TRIBUNE, (Tribun, Fr.) A title which was originally given to certain Roman magistrates, who were established for the specific purpose of maintaining the rights of the tribes or mass of the people, in opposition to the possible encroachments of the aristocracy or patricians, on which account they were stiled the tribunes of the people, les tribuns du peuple. The number, at first, was limited to two; but they were subsequently augmented to ten. There were likewise military tribunes, tribuns militaires. These held commands of considerable extent in the Roman armies.
TRIBUNATE, (Tribunat, Fr.) The office of tribune.
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