The Roman legion (from the Latin legio, meaning levy) was the basic military unit of ancient Rome. It consisted of about 5,000 to 6,000 (later 8,000) infantry soldiers and several hundred auxiliary cavalrymen and ranged troops, typically skirmishers. Legions were named and numbered; about 50 have been identified. Usually there were 28 Legions plus their Auxiliaries, with more raised as needed or as able.