02-19-2014, 12:24 PM
Renatus, after spending the last few days looking into this, in regard to your theory the triarius centurions were the junior centurions, I believe you could be correct on this matter. This can be supported by Vegetius’ (2 8) comment that “ancient practice stipulated that the chief centurion was promoted from the First centurion of the principes.” Vegetius is also supported by Livy’s (42 34) description of the career of Spurius Ligustinus, who is promoted from primus princeps prioris centuriae to the primus pilus on four occasions.
Going by my research, the posterior command structure was introduced in the late republican period, so I would say this would be when the junior centurions in your reverse order were introduced.
Going by my research, the posterior command structure was introduced in the late republican period, so I would say this would be when the junior centurions in your reverse order were introduced.
