Centurion (English: Centurion, Latin: Centurio, Greek: κεντυρ?ων) was a professional officer in the Roman legion, responsible for training in peacetime and command in wartime. Most centurions each led a centurion (English: Century, Latin: Centuria), but there were also higher-ranking centurions who led a group of infantry (Latin: Cohors, usually composed of 6 Centurions) , or a senior staff role in the Legion.
The name Centurions comes from the centurions they led. The Centurion has always been a very important formation in the Roman army, and its history can be traced back to the Roman monarchy in the 6th century BC. As its name suggests, the Centurion originally consisted of approximately 100 men. Later, the centurions changed to consist of 60 people. Two centurions formed a squad (Latin: Manipulus), one of which had higher authority. After Marius' reforms, the standard centurion strength changed to 80 men.
The promotion of centurions went something like this: Centurions first began leading a centurion of 100 (later 60 and finally 80) men. As they gained seniority, they came to lead the more important centurions within their infantry group, and then the group. The best centurions will be promoted to centurions (Latin: Primi Ordines, meaning first level), and plays the role of advisor. The most senior centurion of each legion is the captain of the first centurion of the first regiment of infantry - the chief centurion (Latin: Primus Pilus, meaning first row).
All centurions, no matter how high their rank, do not belong to the knightly class, but the chief centurion is allowed to enter the knightly class after retirement, and all centurions have direct subordinates to themselves. of centurions. Centurions could also ride horses on the march, and if allowed to marry, they could bring their children to live with them in the legion's garrison.
In a complete Roman legion, there were only 8 officers higher than the chief centurion: the legionnaire (Lēgātus Legiōnis) who commanded the legion, appointed by the consul, emperor or senate The appointed senior military tribune (Latin: Tribunus Taticlavus), the camp commander (Latin: Praefectus Castrorum) responsible for the management of equipment and construction work, and 5 juniors from the knightly class who were mainly responsible for the administrative affairs and tactical command tasks of the legion. Tribune (Latin: Tribūnī Angusticlāviī).
In the modern military system, the title "centurion" actually covers many different levels of military ranks. An ordinary centurion commander would be equivalent to today's lieutenant or captain, a higher-ranking centurion leading an infantry group would have the rank of lieutenant colonel, and a chief centurion with a senior staff role would be equivalent to today's colonel.
In battle, the centurion's combat position is usually at the right front of the centurion square. He leads and inspires his troops, fights side by side with them and takes the lead, and shows his comrades and enemies the military rank he has obtained. Matching their courage and skill, coupled with their distinctive clothing, the centurions' casualties were often disproportionate to the overall casualties of the legion. For example, in the famous Battle of Pharsalus between Gnaeus Pompey and Caesar, 30 centurions in Caesar's troops were killed, accounting for 8% of the total number of centurions, while only 10% of the soldiers killed in the battle were killed. 1% of the total number of soldiers.
Under the Centurion is the Military Special Assistant (Latin: Optio, meaning chosen). This person is the second most important role in the Centurion selected by the Centurion from the Centurion to which it belongs. , but not among the officers.
The centurion is responsible for the centurion or infantry group he leads. He is also responsible for the training of the legionnaires. While performing this job, they often show a ruthless side and will punish erring soldiers mercilessly. As a commander, the centurion had the power to reward and punish his men. Punishments can be severe and sometimes include the death penalty.
When the Roman army faced difficult situations, the centurions' brutal training and severe punishments made the troops highly disciplined and able to win battles when facing more enemies than themselves.
However, centurions themselves could also be punished by their superiors for such offenses as sleeping on duty, leaving their posts without permission, or failing to provide adequate training to their soldiers. If a centurion was found guilty of such an act, he could be put to death like any of his ordinary soldiers. Punishments for other offenses also include various humiliating punishments, such as ordering them to stand in front of the commander's tent, either in civilian clothes without a sword, or holding poles for building barracks or even mud for building forts. All day long (measuring and building forts were the duties of ordinary soldiers, not centurions). Centurion (Centurion in English) has always been a very important military rank in the Roman army. The history of the Centurion organization can be traced back to the armies of the Etruscans and Romans during the Severus period (6th century BC). The original centurions were elected from among the soldiers of the regiment. Later centurions were appointed by the Roman tribunes and then approved by the legionary commanders. In the early imperial period centurions were appointed by the consuls of Roman provinces. But this appointment was based on the recommendation of the legion commander and the tribune. Even the Roman emperor could intervene in the appointment of a centurion if the candidate had influential friends in high places.
The centurion is often thought of as being promoted to this position from ordinary soldiers due to military exploits. But that's just one way to pick a centurion. Roman Praetorian Guards soldiers could also be appointed centurions of ordinary legions after serving the required 16 years. Even civilian cavalry like equites can directly apply for the position of centurion. To become a centurion one must not only be an excellent soldier, but also a person with a lot of knowledge. Because centurions not only have to read and write orders, but sometimes are also responsible for some political and diplomatic responsibilities.
The highest level among centurions is primus pilus, "first spear", which is the first hundred (double-organized centurion) in the first cohort (the first legionary cohort in the Roman War) ) captain. This rank is generally reserved for only one year for each First Lance Centurion. After one year, the centurion will retire or be appointed camp commander, mainly responsible for equipment and transportation. This type of "first spear" centurion can always be promoted, such as fleet commander, Roman Praetorian Guard commander, or even provincial governor (a province guarded only by auxiliary troops).
In the early imperial period, a legion usually had 59 centurions (9 brigades, each with 6 centurions). There is one for each of the five double-organized Centurions in the First Battalion. The remaining 54 were allocated to 54 standard centurions. Each centurion has a number of non-commissioned staff officers to assist him in his daily work: the signifer, who also serves as treasurer, the deputy captain (optio), and the centurion's replacement after glory also serves as the "training officer". Personal guard (tessarius), the captain's bodyguard.
The centurion is easy to spot in the legion. His armor is silver, with two greaves on his calves, and a feathered headdress on his helmet. The centurion's way of dressing is also very special. The sword is on the left, the dagger is on the right, and he also has to hold a shield. The duty of the centurion was to train the soldiers, and the way to maintain training was to whip the soldiers with a special cane, which was very popular at the time. A person who wants to become a centurion must meet many restrictions. First, he must obtain letters of recommendation from several important people. Therefore, it may be of great benefit to a person seeking the office of centurion to befriend, curry favor with, or become attached to some important senator, sometimes even a consul or the emperor himself.
Age limit
A person who becomes a centurion must be at least 30 years old. In other words, if he enters the army at the age of 16, then this person will spend most of his life in the army. Fighting, has accumulated enough experience to lead its subordinates.
Social Status
Due to the aforementioned reasons why candidates need letters of recommendation from important people, having good social connections is a prerequisite for candidates, and candidates from higher classes are more likely to have good social connections. It is possible to have such conditions and thus become a centurion more easily.
Education
An important task of a centurion is to convey the written orders of his superior commander to his soldiers, so he must have the minimum ability to read and write. In addition, since senior centurions sometimes also had staff duties, the more educated a person was, the greater the possibility of becoming a centurion. Officers above centurion are: primi, ordines, hastatus, princes posterior, hastatus, princes, primus pilus. Primus Pilus is the supreme commander of a legion. According to regulations, he must be at least 50 years old and stay in this position for at least one year, after which he can retire. It can get a pension of 400,000~600,000 dinars, and can also be awarded a knighthood (in the Octavian era, ordinary legionnaires could only get 3,000 after retirement. If this person does not want to retire, then he can either be sent to Another important position is to become a fleet commander or a provincial governor, or even become a commander of the Guards.
There are also some non-professional senior officers in the legion. These people generally lack combat experience. Most of them are able to serve because of the emperor's special appointment. Of course, they will not be given important responsibilities. These people are usually responsible for commanding the auxiliary army, or simply stay at the legion headquarters as civilians. In short, they have little impact on the legion's combat effectiveness.