Search results
The best centurions were then promoted to the first cohort and known as the primi ordines, commanding one of the cohort's five centuries and taking on a staff role. The most senior centurion of the legion was the primus pilus who commanded the first century of the first cohort. All centurions, however senior, had their own allocated century.
- 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
Aug 6, 2024 · 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 cohort containing 6 centuria. The centurion thus nominally commanded about 100 men, and there were 60 centurions in a legion.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Feb 9, 2016 · The senior officers were drawn from Rome’s senatorial class. Though the senate lost most of its political power under the empire, families of senatorial rank were still the elite. Like the nineteenth century aristocracy, they expected senior military positions to go to them.
Feb 14, 2024 · However, most centurions were promoted from the ranks of ordinary legionaries. The title of centurion granted high pay and honor, opening further career opportunities. Along with high status and a ...
Mar 22, 2021 · The centurions in the first cohort were the most important in the entire legion, known collectively as the primi ordines or men of first rank. It was led by the highest-ranking and most senior centurion of the entire legion: the primus pilus or first spear. He would often go on to become a camp prefect.
People also ask
Who were the most senior centurions?
Who was a centurion in ancient Rome?
Who were the Centurions in the first cohort?
Who was the most senior centurion of the Legion?
Oct 28, 2022 · The Roman army of the mid-8th century BC was led by Rome’s namesake, Romulus. He was said to have had 3,000 men under his command, led by thirty centurions. A quick bit of math tells us that each centurion led his own group of one hundred men. These infantry groups of one hundred men were called a manipulus.
