Description
SPQR Legion Centuria 1st Centry AD
The centuria was the pivotal tactical Roman legion unit after the Marian reforms of 107 BC. It originally consisted of a hundred soldiers; later 60 to (ideally) 80 men distributed among 10 contubernia (of 8 men each). The remaining number of men required for a full count of one hundred was taken up by various noncombatants attached for administrative, logistical or other purposes within the legion. Each contubernium (the minimal unit in the Roman legion) lived in the same tent while on campaign or the same bunk room in barracks. Centuriae were grouped by pairs forming maniples , and later into 6-century cohorts .
The whole century was commanded by a Centurion , who was assisted by an O ptio or lieutenant and a sergeant Tesserarius . It had a banner or signum which was carried by a Signifer . Also, each century provided a Buccinator, who played a buccina , a kind of horn used to transmit acoustic orders.
On the battlefield, the Centurion stood at the far right of the first row of men next to the Signifer , while the Optio stood at the rear, to avoid, if necessary, the disbanding of the troops and ensure the relay between typical closed order lines used by the Roman army.