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- Dictionarycenturion/sɛnˈtjʊərɪən/
noun
- 1. the commander of a century in the ancient Roman army.
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In the Roman army during classical antiquity, a centurion (/ s ɛ n ˈ tj ʊər i ə n /; Latin: centurio [kɛn̪ˈt̪ʊrioː], pl. centuriones ; Greek : κεντυρίων , translit. kentyríōn , or Greek: ἑκατόνταρχος , translit.
centurion. noun. cen· tu· ri· on sen-ˈchu̇r-ē-ən. -ˈtyu̇r-, -ˈtu̇r- : an officer commanding a Roman century. Did you know? In ancient Rome, a century was approximately equal to a company in the U.S. Army, and a centurion was roughly equivalent to a captain.
- Origins & Evolution
- Entry Requirements
- Uniform & Armour
- Weapons
- Duties
- Famous Centurions
According to Roman tradition, the existence of centurion rank went right back to the first armies of Rome in the mid-8th century BCE which, led by the legendary Romulus, had 3,000 men and 30 centurions, each commanding a 100-man infantry group known as a manipulus, which also had its own standard or signa. According to Dionysius of Halicarnassus, t...
Traditionally centurions came from the lower plebeian class, but by the 1st century BCE, the rank also became associated with members of the higher equestrian class. The post was open to non-Latins and centurions could be appointed through election, appointment by the Roman Senateor promotion from the ranks, especially for those who displayed great...
Centurions often wore a helmet (galea) with a distinctive transverse crest (crista transversa), which was typically silver with a died hair or feather plume, typically ostrich or peacock feathers. In the Imperial Period, the crest could also be front to back on the helmet. Early centurion helmets could also have a faceguard or mask sculpted into th...
In the early Republic, weaponry for centurions varied, often depending on their rank and personal preference. They could carry a spear (hasta) and sword (ensis), the latter being worn on the left side, which was in contrast to the legionaries who wore theirs on the right hip. Different swords were used, but the most favoured was the straight double...
Reporting to the tribunes, centurions were responsible for training legionaries, assigning duties, and maintaining discipline amongst the ranks. They themselves were expected to display valour in battle and stand resolute when things were not going so well, and if they did not they could face execution. Accordingly, most centurions commanded respec...
One famous centurion was the legendary Lucius Siccius Dentatus, known as the 'Roman Achilles', who, in the 5th century BCE, participated in a staggering 120 battles and at least eight single combat duels. He also found time to single-handedly recapture his legion's standards, and he boasted no fewer than 45 battle scars. Spurius Ligustinus enjoyed ...
- Mark Cartwright
CENTURION definition: 1. an officer in the army of ancient Rome who was responsible for 100 soldiers 2. an officer in the…. Learn more.
Aug 6, 2024 · Centurion, the principal professional officer in the armies of ancient Rome and its empire. The centurion was the commander of a centuria, which was the smallest unit of a Roman legion. A legion was nominally composed of 6,000 soldiers, and each legion was divided up into 10 cohorts, with each.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Apr 6, 2023 · A centurion is a professional soldier who served in the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. The word “centurion” is derived from the Latin word “centurio,” which means “captain of one hundred.” A centurion typically commanded a unit of 100 men in the infantry.
CENTURION meaning: 1. an officer in the army of ancient Rome who was responsible for 100 soldiers 2. an officer in the…. Learn more.
