Wikipedia
In plant taxonomy, Principes is a botanical name, meaning "the first". It was used in the Engler system for an order in the Monocotyledones and later in the Kubitzki system. This order included one family only, the Palmae (alternate name Arecaceae). As the rules for botanical nomenclature provide for the use of such descriptive botanical names above the rank of family it is quite allowed to use this name even today, but in practice most systems prefer the name Arecales.
Following this, Principes has been the name of the journal of the International Palm Society, but the journal title became Palms in 1999.
Category:Plant taxonomy
Principes (Singular: Princeps) were spearmen, and later swordsmen, in the armies of the early Roman Republic. They were men in the prime of their lives who were fairly wealthy, and could afford decent equipment. They were the heavier infantry of the legion who carried large shields and wore good quality armour.
Their usual position was the second battle line. They fought in quincunx formation, supported by light troops. They were eventually done away with after the Marian reforms of 107 BC.
Usage examples of "principes".
The third legion was similarly drawn up at the north gate, with this difference that the principes formed the front, the hastati the reserve.
The Roman commander drew up his principes behind the leading maniples of the hastati, and the triarii as reserves.
Even the standards of the principes began to sway to and fro when they saw how irregular the line in front had become.
As soon as Scipio observed this he ordered the call to be sounded for the hastati to retire, and after withdrawing the wounded to the rear he brought up the principes and triarii to the wings, in order that the hastati in the centre might be supported and protected on both flanks.