centurion

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Centurion redirects here. This article is about the Roman soldier. For other meanings, see Centurion (disambiguation).

A reenactor dressed and equipped as a centurion

A centurion (Latin: centurio; Greek: κεντυρίων), also hecatontarch in Greek sources (Greek: ἑκατόνταρχος or, in Byzantine times, κένταρχος) was a professional officer of the Roman army after the Marian reforms of 107 BC. Most centurions commanded 83 men despite the commonly assumed 100, but senior centurions commanded cohorts, or took senior staff roles in their legion.

Centuries, or Centuriae, means tribe or company^[1]. Theoretically, this word traces its roots to centum which is latin for one-hundred ^[1], but that connection is widely disputed or disregarded^[2][3][4].

Role

In the Roman infantry, centurions initially commanded a centuria or "century", which means company or tribe^[1]. Centuries, or Centuriae, developed from the Roman Tribal system under the Servian reforms and could contain anywhere from 80 to 100 men. This became 100, at full strength, under the Marian reforms. Later, generals and Caesars further manipulated these numbers with double and half-strength units. Gaius Julius Caesar, for instance, made the first century double strength.

During the Imperial era Centurions gradually rose in seniority in their cohort, commanding centuries with higher precedence, until commanding the senior century and therefore the whole cohort. The very best centurions were then promoted to become centurions in the First Cohort, called Primi Ordines, commanding one of the ten centuries and also taking on a staff role. The most senior centurion of the legion was the Primus Pilus who commanded the first century. All centurions, however senior, had their own allocated century.

The Primus Pilus was so called because his own century was the first file (primus pilus) of the first (rightmost) cohort. Only eight officers in a fully officered legion outranked the Primus Pilus: The legate (legatus legionis), commanding the legion; the senior tribune (tribunus laticlavus), second-in-command of the legion; the Camp Prefect (praefectus castrorum); and the five other tribunes (tribuni angusticlavii) who apparently served as senior staff officers to the legate with a rank roughly equivalent to a modern colonel.

Many write comparisons between the Centurion and modern ranks. This leads to many incorrect assumptions. Centurions could be elected, appointed by the Senate, or promoted to the rank for a variety of reasons. Gaius Julius Caesar is said to have promoted his for displays of valor. Other historians cite examples of them being the first over the enemies wall or through the breach. If this case were strictly so, then there would be a lack of centurions in peacetime garrisons, which is where the Roman Army mostly spent its time^[3]. It is generally accepted that they "did rise from the ranks"^[5] therefore comparisons with modern Non-Commissioned Officers, First-Sergeants and Sergeant Majors, can easily be made.

Centurions often suffered heavy casualties in battle, generally fighting alongside the legionaries they commanded. They usually led from the front, occupying a position at the front right of the century formation. They led and inspired their men by example. They also sought to display the skill and courage that may have gotten them to their rank in the first place. It is for these reasons that they often suffered a disproportionate number of casualties.

Below the centurions were the optiones, seconds-in-command of centuries.

Being held personally responsible for the training and discipline of the legionaries under their command, centurions had a well deserved reputation for dealing out harsh punishment. In The Annals, Tacitus tells the story of one known as 'Cedo Alteram' - which roughly translates to, 'Gimme Another': "The mutinous soldiers thrust out the tribunes and the camp-prefect; they plundered the baggage of the fugitives, and then killed a centurion, Lucilius, to whom, with soldier's humour, they had given the nickname 'Gimme Another', because when he had broken one vine-stick across a soldier's back, he would call in a loud voice for another... and another."

Seniority

Each century had a precedence within the cohort. Centurions' seniority within the cohort and legion depended on their century. Centurions begun by leading junior centuries before being promoted to leading more senior ones. Centurions were referred to by the name of their century.

The precedence during the times of manipular legion commanded sixty men and were organized like this:

• Hastati: Ten junior and Ten senior
• Principes: Ten junior and Ten senior
• Triarii: Five junior and Five senior

For the imperial legion they were organized (in order of who advanced first);

• 1st cohort
• 2nd cohort
• 3rd cohort

and so on

There were five centuries in the first cohort, each century with two times the number of soldiers of a normal century. All first cohort centurions outranked all centurions from other cohorts.

Roman centurion.

Vegetius about the qualities necessary for the centurion

The centurion in the infantry is chosen for his size, strength and dexterity in throwing his missile weapons and for his skill in the use of his sword and shield; in short for his expertness in all the exercises. He is to be vigilant, temperate, active and readier to execute the orders he receives than to talk; Strict in exercising and keeping up proper discipline among his soldiers, in obliging them to appear clean and well-dressed and to have their arms constantly rubbed and bright. (Vegetius. De Re Militari, ^[6] II, 14 )

References

Military of ancient Rome portal