01-05-2013, 03:20 AM
Actually, we don't know, if the cohors of a legion had a commander or needed one.
The highest ranked centurio of every cohors was the pilus prior. He could lead, if there was something to lead. However, according to Domaszweski/Dobson he had no different office than a normal centurio. Also the 6 tribuni could take command during battle (if not bloody young trainees). Most propably for more than 1 cohors, if needed by tactical reasons (e.g. right wing, left wing, center, reserve ...).
If a cohors or more were sent on a special campaign, they were leaded by a praepositus which could be a centurio or a tribune. It seems, the romans dealed with it very flexible.
In the auxilia the situation was different. Here you have the commanders from the equestrian career from early empire on:
praefectus cohortis = quingenaria
tribunus cohortis = millaria
The auxilia also had different ranks of centurions. 5 normal centurions and 1 centurio princeps. He was most propably the deputy of the praefectus. At least he was the leader of all offices, which in the bigger legion are splitted between praefectus castrorum and princeps paetoriae (a centurio).
In late empire the units like cohors, ala, vexillatio, schola and larger numeri were usually leaded by a tribunus. So the model of the auxiliae became the norm.
The highest ranked centurio of every cohors was the pilus prior. He could lead, if there was something to lead. However, according to Domaszweski/Dobson he had no different office than a normal centurio. Also the 6 tribuni could take command during battle (if not bloody young trainees). Most propably for more than 1 cohors, if needed by tactical reasons (e.g. right wing, left wing, center, reserve ...).
If a cohors or more were sent on a special campaign, they were leaded by a praepositus which could be a centurio or a tribune. It seems, the romans dealed with it very flexible.
In the auxilia the situation was different. Here you have the commanders from the equestrian career from early empire on:
praefectus cohortis = quingenaria
tribunus cohortis = millaria
The auxilia also had different ranks of centurions. 5 normal centurions and 1 centurio princeps. He was most propably the deputy of the praefectus. At least he was the leader of all offices, which in the bigger legion are splitted between praefectus castrorum and princeps paetoriae (a centurio).
In late empire the units like cohors, ala, vexillatio, schola and larger numeri were usually leaded by a tribunus. So the model of the auxiliae became the norm.
Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas
