Centurio ("“group of one hundred leader"” of lat. centum = one hundred) was the name for an officer of the Roman Legion, comparably for instance with a captain. Normally a Centurio a Centuria or a comparable unit of the Auxiliartruppen befehligte. The name points on "“one hundred"”, however a regular Centuria consisted already very soon only of approx. 80

Contrary to the staff officers, who had to come from the knight conditions or senator conditions, Centurios always ascended from the crew rank, thus could theoretically each Roman citizen Centurio become. In the initial phase of the Legion the Centurio was selected by its soldiers, appointed later by the Legaten, the putting ion commander. Required in the Kaiser era the appointment of the confirmation by the emperor. It formed the back degree for the discipline and the obligation feeling of the Roman army. There is a multiplicity of reports over the hardness in addition, bravery of the Centurios. Contrary to the crews and "“NCOs"” many became the Centurios at expiration of their service do not dismiss but remained up to death in the army.

The Centurio was responsible as a superior for the training and the equipment of its It had to distinguish and punish the right its people; for the latter the Weinstock, the "“Vitis"” was also often used probably, an indication of its rank (the officer stick of the British army decreases/goes back to this badge of rank). In addition its equipment differed as it the helmet shrubs crosswise ("“Crista Transversa"”), splints and the sword on the left side carried. Its pay amounted to at least the quadruple of a simple soldier. It did not have to divide its tent, and had its own riding horse and an additional carrying animal.

Centurio was not a uniform rank. Centurios with few exceptions all managed a Centurie, actual rank, arose in the case of it however from the position of these Centurie within the Legion, which were expressed in additional designations. First distinctive between the Ceturios of the different Manipeln (in ascending meaning) Hastaten, Prinzipes and Triarier (the latter often called Pili) this again according to the commander first (prior) and second (posterior) Centuria of each Manipels. Thus the order of rank saw so out (ascending):

• Posterior Hastatus
• Prior Hastatus
• Posterior Princeps
• Prior Princeps
• Posterior Pilus (Triarier)
• Prior Pilus (Triarier)

However genuine all other Centurios existed superordinately was those the first Kohorte only between the Prior and Posterior of the same Manipels:

• Primus ordo; (thus Primus Hastatus prior etc.) in that the field character was led

Completely particularly of the:

• Primus pilus; "“first Speer"”, highest Centurio of a Legion, advisor Legaten
• Primus pilus to; Centurio, which completes its second term of office as Primus Pilus
• Primipilaris; former Primus Pilus

In addition:

• Princeps praetorii; Centurio, which is turned off to a staff
• Centurio supernumerarius; literally "“the surplus"”, Centurio with special tasks, without own unit.

By this strong subdivision it falls heavily the Centurio with modern ranks to compare. In its function as leaders of one only 80 men strong infantry unit it hardly corresponds to a captain. A Primus Pilus would be against it perhaps comparable to a highest one, went however in its social prestige far beyond that.

The position of the Primus Pilus was a completely extraordinary honour, which was exercised mostly just one year before the dismissal. Afterwards often an ascent was into the knight shank possible for the Primipilari or the changes into important posts province administrativefor the emperors e.g. represented it a reservoir at capable leaders, that were not involved into the power structures of the established power elites of Rome.

The armament and the honors of a Roman Centurios are represented at the best on the gravestone of the Marcus Caelius. This was before the excavations with lime giant the only archaeological proof for the happening of the battle in the "“Teutoburger forest"”.

Literature

• Marcus Junkelmann: The putting ions of the Augustus. Mainz 1986 ISBN 3-8053-0886-8.

Articles in category "Centurio"

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