D. 49.16.6.2. Exegetical notes on contumacia militis

D. 49.16.6.2, on the subject of Roman military law, presents the cryptic expression `contumacia militis'. Taking into account the entire work of the author of this passage (Arrius Menander), as well as the thought of Roman jurists contemporary to him, the etymology of the word, and the other legal sources (even later, both in Greek and Latin), I aimed to demonstrate that the mentioned expression indicates the non-observance, by the soldier, of an order (and not, also, of a prohibition) to act given to him by the highest officer in charge, military (dux) or civil (praeses)