Centurion

A centurion (Latin: centurio, pl. centuriones) is a position in the Roman army, nominally the commander of a century (Latin: centuria), a military unit of around 80 legionaries. In a Roman legion, centuries are grouped into cohorts commanded by their senior-most centurion. The prestigious 1st cohort is led by the primus pilus, the most senior centurion in the legion and its third-in-command.
A centurion's symbol of office is the vine staff, with which they discipline even Roman citizens, who are otherwise legally protected from corporal punishment by the Porcian Laws. Centurions also serve in the Roman navy. After the 107 BCE Marian reforms of Gaius Marius, centurions are professional officers.

Seniority

Each century has a precedence within the cohort. Centurions' seniority within the cohort and legion depend on the position within the legion of the century they are in charge of, which often take their name from their centurion. Centurions begin by leading junior centuries before being promoted to leading a more senior one. Promotion usually comes with experience, or at least length of service, but many still never make it as far as leading a 1st cohort. Yet for centurions who show, say, particularly conspicuous bravery during battle, there is the opportunity to be promoted several grades at once. Promotion through the various grades often means transferring to another legion.
Centurions gradually rise in seniority in their cohort, commanding centuries with higher precedence, until commanding the senior century and therefore the whole cohort. The best centurions are then promoted to 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 is the Primus Pilus who commands the first century. All centurions, however senior, have their own allocated century. There is little difference between the ranks of centurions except for the Primus Pilus, who also participates in war councils. The Primus Pilus is so called because his own century is the first file of the first (rightmost) cohort. Only eight officers in a fully officered legion outrank the Primus Pilus.

Qualifications

Centurions have to be literate (to be able to read written orders), have connections (letters of recommendation), be at least 30 years of age, and have already served a few years in the military. They also have to be able to boost their soldiers' morale.

"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 weapons constantly rubbed and bright." — Vegetius. De Re Militari, II, 14

Appointment

Centurions can be elected, appointed by the Senate, or promoted from the ranks for a variety of reasons.

Responsibilities

Each centurion commands a centuria or "century" of 80 legionaries. They are held personally responsible for the training and discipline of the legionaries under their command, and they have a reputation for dealing out harsh punishment.

Benefits

Centurions received a much higher rate of pay than the average legionary, about 10 times as much. Veteran legionaries often worked as tenants of their former centurions.
Centurions often have important social status and hold powerful positions in society. They receive their status according to their rank. On retirement, they can be eligible for employment as lictors.

Accoutrements & Equipment

Centurions are equipped similarly to standard legionaries, but with some key differences.

• The vine-stick (vitis) is the primary symbol of the centurion's authority and the implement with which he metes out punishment.
• Unlike legionaries, the Roman Centurions carried their swords on their left side as a sign of distinction and carried the pugio (dagger) on the right, as the sidearm.
• Centurions wear a transverse crest on their helmet that distinguishes them from other legionaries, as well as to help legionaries identify their centurion on the battlefield.
• Centurions tend to wear lorica hamata, often decorating it with medallions. They also wear greaves. 

Type

Civic, Military, Not Commissioned

Current Holders

• Gaius Sempronius Scepsis

Reports directly to

Pilus prior

Related Organizations

• Roman Army

Related Professions

• Roman Legionary

Related Military Formations

• Century