answersLogoWhite

0

Who were the Roman centurions?

Updated: 8/23/2023
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Best Answer

Centurion of the Roman Army was a rank of the Roman Army officials. Centurions were in command of about 80 men, contrary to the popular belief that it was 100. Centurions were Roman soldiers that showed enough skills in combat, discipline, and leadership that they were promoted to Centurion.

The highest rank of Centurion was the Primus pilus, he was the leader of the first cohort. Cohorts usually contained around 6 centuries, but the first cohort in a legion had double the amount of soldiers in each century. So, in reality, a Primus pilus was in direct command of roughly 960 men, but being the supreme centurion of the whole legion, he had command over an actual number of about 5,000 men, and was second in line to the Legatus-the commander of a legion.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Chain of command for a legion: (Note: A legion was usually comprised of 10 Cohorts, each cohort was made of about 6 centuries, each century had 80 men plus the centurion)

Chain of Command:

Legatus: Commander of the Legion, in charge of about 5,280 men.

Primus Pilus: Supreme Centurion of a Legion, Senior Centurion of the First Cohort, in charge of about 960 men.

Senior Centurion: Commander of a Cohort, in charge of about 480 men.

Primi Ordine: Commander of a Century in the First Cohort, in charge of about 80 men.

Junior Centurion: Commander of a Century, in charge of about 80 men.

File Leader: Basically the leader of a file in a Century, not necessarily a Commander, but just a soldier who did have slight authority of about 10 men in a file.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

A centurion was an officer in the ancient Roman army. There were eleven ranks of centurion and we have no modern equivalent for them. A centurion's authority ranged from commanding as few as 80 men (a century) to being in charge of the entire camp (camp prefect).

A centurion was an officer in the ancient Roman army. There were eleven ranks of centurion and we have no modern equivalent for them. A centurion's authority ranged from commanding as few as 80 men (a century) to being in charge of the entire camp (camp prefect).

A centurion was an officer in the ancient Roman army. There were eleven ranks of centurion and we have no modern equivalent for them. A centurion's authority ranged from commanding as few as 80 men (a century) to being in charge of the entire camp (camp prefect).

A centurion was an officer in the ancient Roman army. There were eleven ranks of centurion and we have no modern equivalent for them. A centurion's authority ranged from commanding as few as 80 men (a century) to being in charge of the entire camp (camp prefect).

A centurion was an officer in the ancient Roman army. There were eleven ranks of centurion and we have no modern equivalent for them. A centurion's authority ranged from commanding as few as 80 men (a century) to being in charge of the entire camp (camp prefect).

A centurion was an officer in the ancient Roman army. There were eleven ranks of centurion and we have no modern equivalent for them. A centurion's authority ranged from commanding as few as 80 men (a century) to being in charge of the entire camp (camp prefect).

A centurion was an officer in the ancient Roman army. There were eleven ranks of centurion and we have no modern equivalent for them. A centurion's authority ranged from commanding as few as 80 men (a century) to being in charge of the entire camp (camp prefect).

A centurion was an officer in the ancient Roman army. There were eleven ranks of centurion and we have no modern equivalent for them. A centurion's authority ranged from commanding as few as 80 men (a century) to being in charge of the entire camp (camp prefect).

A centurion was an officer in the ancient Roman army. There were eleven ranks of centurion and we have no modern equivalent for them. A centurion's authority ranged from commanding as few as 80 men (a century) to being in charge of the entire camp (camp prefect).

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

In ancient Rome the rank of centurion was an important one in Rome's legion battle formation. It could be described as a middle level officer, and some historians claim it was the "backbone" of the legion. Normally a centurion was first a regular enlisted man that was promoted up through the ranks. Most often the centurion commanded 100 men in a legion.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

A centurion was an officer in the ancient Roman army. There were eleven ranks of centurion and we have no modern equivalent for them. A centurion's authority ranged from commanding as few as 80 men (a century) to being in charge of the entire camp (camp prefect).

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Roman Centurians are Soldiers that belong to a regiment of 100 soldiers.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

6y ago

An officer commanding 80 legionaries.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

The centurions were legionaries

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

titus pullo

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Anonymous

Lvl 1
3y ago

Who was the Roman centurions

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Who were the Roman centurions?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about General History

Who was a roman centurion and why was he important?

A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.


Optios in the roman army were promoted to centurions so who was promoted to be an optio?

Only the very best legionaries could hope to become optios and then centurions - and this would take 15 years!


What were members of the Roman army called?

Centurions, but there were also legionaires and others.See the related link listed below for more information:


Who controls the wedge in the roman army?

The legatus legionis (legion commander) would order a legion to create a wedge formation. The centurions were responsible for its operation.


Who trained the Roman legionaries?

Centurions and their optimos trained the legionaries. Centurions used their vine sticks and literally whipped the troops into shape. The army also hired ex-gladiators to train certain troops in hand to hand swordplay. The former gladiators were not recruits themselves, but independent contractors.

Related questions

Were there ever a such thing as centurions?

Yes, centurions were a rank in the Roman army.


Were there police in Jesus' time?

No but there were roman centurions and officials.


Who was a roman centurion and why was he important?

A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.A Roman centurion was an officer in the Roman army. As there were eleven grades of centurions, he could be in charge of as few as 80 men or the entire camp. The centurions who led the centuries or the cohorts were men who led by example in battle. Consequently they had the highest casualty rates. A centurion was important as a leader and as an administrator.


Where can one find more information about centurions?

Centurions were professional officers of the Roman Army after 107 B.C. They were also known as hekatontarch in Greek sources. Information can be found at the library or Wikipedia.


Optios in the roman army were promoted to centurions so who was promoted to be an optio?

Only the very best legionaries could hope to become optios and then centurions - and this would take 15 years!


What were members of the Roman army called?

Centurions, but there were also legionaires and others.See the related link listed below for more information:


When was Leigh Centurions created?

Leigh Centurions was created in 1878.


When was Exeter Centurions created?

Exeter Centurions was created in 2007.


When was The Centurions - book - created?

The Centurions - book - was created in 1981.


When was The Centurions - novel - created?

The Centurions - novel - was created in 1960.


When was Cologne Centurions created?

Cologne Centurions was created in 2004.


When did Cologne Centurions end?

Cologne Centurions ended in 2007.