04-04-2008, 07:52 AM
Duncan wrote:-
...actually, the psuedo-Hyginus text is not the only evidence for the size of centuries in early Imperial times - there is archaeological evidence too. For example, the ground plan of Inchtuthil fortress (c.84-86 AD) is consistent with centuries of 80 men and cohorts of six centuries (480 men) as are many other fort sites, except for the First cohort ( referred to by Pseudo-Hyginus and Vegetius as a "double" cohort,) which contained only five centuries - but of double size i.e. of 160 men, giving a total for the First cohort of 800 men. This is supported by epigraphic evidence that the First cohort had only five centurions - the most senior - being Primus Pilus, Princeps, Hastatus, Princeps posterior and Hastatus posterior ( the titles harking back to the 'ancient' republican legion), and a list of optiones on an inscription from Lambaesis from the time of Severus also supports this five century structure. That the 'ordinary' cohort had six centurions - pilus prior, pilus posterior, princeps prior, princeps posterior, hastatus prior and hastatus posterior is also well attested.
The nominal number of 80 could also be very much less in practice. For example, a papyrus from Egypt of the late 1st Century AD, probably AD87,(or rather part of it) shows that the original number was estimated at something like 60 ( missing bit), and the remainder after detachments, men despatched on escort duty, on leave, in hospital etc reads REMAINDER 40, and then lists 9 as 'free from duty' ( keeper of weapons, clerks , orderlies, bookeepers etc) leaving just 31 available for 'general duties', increasing to 36 later in the month - the men are all individually named.
Quote:You may be surprised to learn that our only evidence for a centuria being 80 men is a statement in an anonymous, undated treatise! (The so-called De munitionibus castrorum of "Hyginus".)
...actually, the psuedo-Hyginus text is not the only evidence for the size of centuries in early Imperial times - there is archaeological evidence too. For example, the ground plan of Inchtuthil fortress (c.84-86 AD) is consistent with centuries of 80 men and cohorts of six centuries (480 men) as are many other fort sites, except for the First cohort ( referred to by Pseudo-Hyginus and Vegetius as a "double" cohort,) which contained only five centuries - but of double size i.e. of 160 men, giving a total for the First cohort of 800 men. This is supported by epigraphic evidence that the First cohort had only five centurions - the most senior - being Primus Pilus, Princeps, Hastatus, Princeps posterior and Hastatus posterior ( the titles harking back to the 'ancient' republican legion), and a list of optiones on an inscription from Lambaesis from the time of Severus also supports this five century structure. That the 'ordinary' cohort had six centurions - pilus prior, pilus posterior, princeps prior, princeps posterior, hastatus prior and hastatus posterior is also well attested.
The nominal number of 80 could also be very much less in practice. For example, a papyrus from Egypt of the late 1st Century AD, probably AD87,(or rather part of it) shows that the original number was estimated at something like 60 ( missing bit), and the remainder after detachments, men despatched on escort duty, on leave, in hospital etc reads REMAINDER 40, and then lists 9 as 'free from duty' ( keeper of weapons, clerks , orderlies, bookeepers etc) leaving just 31 available for 'general duties', increasing to 36 later in the month - the men are all individually named.
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
