01-09-2013, 03:38 PM
Quote:D B Campbell post=327926 Wrote:What's the cohort for, then? Good question. :wink:
Just administrative, you think?
Actually administration is an issue, imho. Think about such a simple thing like daily orders / briefings. Historians assume, that the praefectus castrorum, the tribunes and the primi ordines were member of the generals staff. Also the tribunes and prefects of the auxilia / ala, if onsite, and a primipilus iterum, if available. Well, thats already a lot of people. It sounds weird, that additionally 50 centurions participated in such briefings.
That speaks for the theory, that the 5 equestrian tribunes commanded 2 cohorts. Because now they can forward the orders to the centurions afterwards (12 each). Other historians argue, that this was a reason, why the 9 pilus prior were primi ordines and participated therefore in such briefings.
Of course there was also the tessera, a written form of orders, whatever orders are meant.
Perhaps both is the truth. The pilus prior was the highest ranked centurio. So it makes sense, that he leaded, but he was no primi ordines. And we have the tribunes, responsible for 2 cohorts, at least for communication and general overseeing. Both complemented each other. However, after all the burden of work regarding daily business and leadership was done by the ordinary centurio.
All speculative arguments, but daily administration is something we should consider.
Unfortunately, if it comes to roman army and administration, we know a lot about titles and careers, but not so much about tasks, processes, reporting lines and organizational structure.
Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas