After forming the camp the tribunes meet and administer an oath, man by man, to all in the camp, whether freemen or slaves.
Each man swears to steal nothing from the camp and even if he finds anything to bring it to the tribunes.
They next issue their orders to the maniples of the hastati and principes of each legion, entrusting to two maniples the care of the ground in front of the tents of the tribunes;
for this ground is the general resort of the soldiers in the daytime, and so they see to its being swept and watered with great care.
Three of the remaining eighteen maniples are now assigned by lot to each tribune, this being the number of maniples of principes and hastati in each legion, and there being six tribunes. Each of these maniples in turn attends on the tribune, the services they render him being such as the following.
When they encamp they pitch his tent for him and level the ground round it; and it is their duty to fence round any of his baggage that may require protection.
They also supply two guards for him (a guard consists of four men), of which the one is stationed in front of the tent and the other behind it next the horses.
As each tribune has three maniples at his service, and there are more than a hundred men in each maniple, not counting the triarii and velites who are not liable to this service, the task is a light one, as each maniple has to serve only every third day;
and when the necessary comfort of the tribune is well attended to by this means, the dignity due to his rank is also amply maintained.
the maniples of triarii are exempt from this attendance on the tribune; but each maniple supplies a guard every day to the squadron of horse close behind it.
This guard, besides keeping a general look out, watches especially over the horses to prevent them from getting entangled in their tethers and suffering injuries that would incapacitate them, or from getting loose and causing confusion and disturbance in the camp by running against other horses.
Finally each maniple in its turn mounts guard round the consul's tent to protect him from plots and at the same time to add splendour to the dignity of his office.
Walbank Commentary