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Late Roman Ranks
#1
Ave Fraters,<br>
Can anyone tell me what the name of the late Roman equivalent of an infantry Centurion was called, as well as the name for the ranks immediately above and below him? Were there ever more than one "centurion" or officer in a single infantry unit? Thanks for any help! <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, draconarius, Secunda Brittanica<br>
www.greeneknightforge.bravehost.com </p><i></i>
Lucius Aurelius Metellus
a.k.a. Jeffrey L. Greene
MODERATOR
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#2
Hi Lucius,<br>
<br>
A unit commander would be a <em>tribunus</em>.<br>
Centurions would be <em>ordinarii</em> and <em>centenarii</em>.<br>
An optio would be a <em>biarchus</em>. <p>Valete,<br>
Valerius/Robert<br>
[url=http://www.fectio.org.uk/" target="top]fectienses seniores[/url]</p><i></i>
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
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#3
Thank you so much, Robert. That answers my question nicely! <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, draconarius, Secunda Brittanica<br>
www.greeneknightforge.bravehost.com </p><i></i>
Lucius Aurelius Metellus
a.k.a. Jeffrey L. Greene
MODERATOR
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#4
By the way, Robert, what was the difference between <em>Ordinarii</em> and <em>Centenarii</em>? <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, draconarius, Secunda Brittanica<br>
www.greeneknightforge.bravehost.com </p><i></i>
Lucius Aurelius Metellus
a.k.a. Jeffrey L. Greene
MODERATOR
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#5
Due to a lack of good sources, the difference is not always clear.<br>
According to Vegetius (liber II, , Ordinarii commanded double centuries ("Thus the ten centuries of the first cohort were commanded by five Ordinarii"/<em>Sic decem centuriae cohortis primae a quinque ordinariis regebantur</em>).<br>
Single centuries had Centenarii in command ("They had also Centurions appointed to each century, now called Centenarii"/<em>Erant etiam centuriones, qui singulas centurias curabant; qui nunc centenarii nominantur</em>).<br>
[url=http://p200.ezboard.com/fromanarmytalkfrm1.showMessage?topicID=900.topic" target="top]See also this thread.[/url]<br>
<p>Valete,<br>
Valerius/Robert<br>
[url=http://www.fectio.org.uk/" target="top]fectienses seniores[/url]</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=vortigernstudies>Vortigern Studies</A> at: 2/21/05 9:20 am<br></i>
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
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#6
Dear Lucius Aurelius Metellus,<br>
Actually, Ordinarii are mostly considered as all centurions. If you also check John the Lydus you will not see the centurions amongst the Legionary ranks, instead you will see ordinarii. even Vegetius tries to explain them, this term of ordinarius is unclear, as Vortigern Studies said.<br>
I suggest you to read that article:<br>
J. Frank Gilliam, The Ordinarii and Ordinati of the Roman Army. in the journal: Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association, Volume 71 (1940), p. 127-148.<br>
take care... <p></p><i></i>
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#7
you can also take a look at thread:<br>
p200.ezboard.com/fromanar...1118.topic <p>QUI DESIDERAT PACEM, PRAEPARET BELLUM!</p><i></i>
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#8
I will do that, thank you very much for your help, Patroos! <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, draconarius, Secunda Brittanica<br>
www.greeneknightforge.bravehost.com </p><i></i>
Lucius Aurelius Metellus
a.k.a. Jeffrey L. Greene
MODERATOR
Reply


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