Retreating troops of the "velites" could withdraw without disrupting those behind them. Lighter, shorter javelins existed, such as those used by the "velites" and the early legions. The front of the columns were the "extraordinarii", along with some of the "velites". Valerius Laevinus had about 42,000 soldiers under his command, including cavalry, velites, and spearmen. The Imperial Guard of Napoleon were named after the Roman "velites". The light infantry ("velites") wore no armour over their tunics. An early Roman legion contained approximately 1,000 "velites". It appears that the "velites" were not members of the maniples. Light infantry ("velites") and cavalry would also have been important in small-scale skirmishes. Lightly equipped velites acted as skirmishers armed with light javelins. Lucilius suggests that "rorarii" and "velites" were interchangeable, with "velites" gradually superseding "rorarii". In front of the heavy infantry, would be stationed the legion's 1,200 "velites". The velites and the equites were used mainly for various kinds of support. The "velites"' equipment consisted of a "parma", javelin, sword and helmet. The "velites" were used against the Carthaginian elephants in the Battle of Zama.