auxiliares

Auxiliares is a term used in Portuguese and Spanish to describe individuals or units that provide support to a main organization or activity. It covers a broad range of roles, from informal helpers to formal job titles, depending on the context.

In everyday and professional settings, auxiliares are staff who assist professionals in offices, clinics, schools, libraries, and public services. Examples include auxiliares administrativos (administrative assistants), auxiliares de enfermagem (nursing assistants), or auxiliares de biblioteca (library assistants). Duties typically include data entry, scheduling, customer service, document preparation, and other administrative or logistical tasks. The term signals a non-leading, supportive function, with responsibilities varying by sector.

In military history, auxiliares (auxilia) were units of non-citizen troops recruited to support the Roman legions. Comprised of infantry, cavalry, and specialized troops, they served alongside legionaries and were often drawn from conquered or allied peoples. Service in the auxilia could grant Roman citizenship to the soldiers and their descendants after completing a period of service, contributing to the integration of provinces into the Roman state.

In modern armed forces and public services, auxiliary or auxiliary forces denote reserves or support elements that enable primary units to operate. These include logistics, medical, communications, and technical support, as well as civilian employees integrated into public administration.