09-29-2006, 09:54 AM
Primus Pilus is the abbreviation of Primus Pilus Prior. This title is a derivative of the original manipular structure of the legion. Primus, first, indicates the first cohort of the legion, the Pili formed the first line of battle of the cohort, and Prior indicates that this centurion is the ranking of the 'maniple' of the pili in the first cohort. The other would be the Primus Pilus Posterior (assuming there were 6 centuriae in the 1st cohort which was not always the case).
In short, it's the rank indication of the 'primary centurio of the first maniple of the first cohort'.
In short, it's the rank indication of the 'primary centurio of the first maniple of the first cohort'.
