10-03-2006, 06:04 PM
Well:
The crest makes this somewhat true, doubtless, but it's a bit of a leap to suggest everything else is specifically different for identification purposes...
True- there's a story about a Centurio whose nickname was 'Fetch another' because each time he broke his vitis on the back of a soldier he was punishing, he's call to his Optio to 'fetch another'
Mostly accurate- a couple of Centuriones' tombstones do show a transverse crest although no clear evidence yet of the nature of the crest, so horsehair is just one of the possibilities.
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Quote:His equipment was very different so his men could quickly find him in battle.
The crest makes this somewhat true, doubtless, but it's a bit of a leap to suggest everything else is specifically different for identification purposes...
Quote:He carried a vine stick as a badge of rank. He would use this to punish his men!
True- there's a story about a Centurio whose nickname was 'Fetch another' because each time he broke his vitis on the back of a soldier he was punishing, he's call to his Optio to 'fetch another'
Quote:The horsehair crest on his helmet went from side to side.
Mostly accurate- a couple of Centuriones' tombstones do show a transverse crest although no clear evidence yet of the nature of the crest, so horsehair is just one of the possibilities.
Quote:He wore medals on his chest, awarded for bravery in battle.Misleading- not all Centuriones had phalarae on a chest harness, and not only they wore them- there's at least one tombstone of an Aquilifer who has them as well
Quote:Centurions could marry, and their wives lived in the barracks with them.I've never read of a universal law for this- and doubt it'd have been for the entire life of the Empire if there were at some point
Quote:They did not march, they rode on horseback.I've never read a primary source that states this- I'd like to know what the evidence for this statement is
And please put your real name in your profile signature line- it's a forum rule
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