Primus Pilus

[Et tu brute]

I know that the Primus Pilus was generally the senior Centurion of a legion but when was this established and why was he called the Primus Pilus? Was Primus Pilus a man origionally who became the senior Centurion of his legion and his name was adopted as a title, this is just a guess but I can't really think of anything else unless Primus Pilus translates to something in Latin which I'm unawares of.

[Praefectusclassis]

Primus Pilus is the abbreviation of Primus Pilus Prior. This title is a derivative of the original manipular structure of the legion. Primus, first, indicates the first cohort of the legion, the Pili formed the first line of battle of the cohort, and Prior indicates that this centurion is the ranking of the 'maniple' of the pili in the first cohort. The other would be the Primus Pilus Posterior (assuming there were 6 centuriae in the 1st cohort which was not always the case).
In short, it's the rank indication of the 'primary centurio of the first maniple of the first cohort'.

[Peroni]

I can't really think of anything else unless Primus Pilus translates to something in Latin which I'm unawares of.

Translates as "First Spear"?

[Et tu brute]

Ok thanks alot I understand it now

[Gaius_Calvus]

Actually, I believe it translates as "First File."

Pilus and Pilum are different words, IIRC.

Cheers

[Praefectusclassis]

Yes, you are correct. See my reply above.

[Gaius_Calvus]

Thank you Jasper, but I actually have to credit Matt Amt's great Legio XX website for getting it right!

Like a lot of us in the US, he and his website are a great source of accurate information.

Cheers

Calvus

[petrinus]

so is that like first sgt? lol

the primus pilus was senior among other centurions in rank and status yes?

[Tarbicus]

More like a Colonel or even higher possibly.

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

It's dificult to make a comparison between roman army register and actual ones.

Probably a Centurio it's closer to an oficial and optio to a sergeant. But centuriones were not all of the same category.

We cannot compare a Primus Pilus with a colonel, general, etc. Because apart from his range, he has the direct control on his centuria. He is as if today in day a colonel, general, etc, was acting simultaneously of lieutenant of a section.

Do not be if I have clarified anything, or even I have impeded it, more...
:oops:

[drsrob]

It's dificult to make a comparison between roman army register and actual ones.

Probably a Centurio it's closer to an oficial and optio to a sergeant. But centuriones were not all of the same category.

We cannot compare a Primus Pilus with a colonel, general, etc. Because apart from his range, he has the direct control on his centuria. He is as if today in day a colonel, general, etc, was acting simultaneously of lieutenant of a section.

Do not be if I have clarified anything, or even I have impeded it, more...
:oops:

Up to the 18th century field officers of western armies were also captains of a company, so the similarity is greater than you think.

[Tarbicus]

[A_Volpe]

I think I have it right in that the Primus Pilus was the Centurion/Commander of all the Centurions in the entire Legion, but also was top commander of the First Cohort

I'm on board with the "First Spear" or "First Rank" translation as opposed to "First Spear" - as he's neither equipped with any spear, nor carries one as a Standard or rank indicator. But that's IMHO

[petrinus]

so he has like 1SG CPT COL combine qualities, status and duty yet functions as a 1LT/XO of sorts, i kinda get it

just trying to draw an educated parallel here, helps me understand the process and positions

thanks all for your input

[drsrob]

so he has like 1SG CPT COL combine qualities, status and duty yet functions as a 1LT/XO of sorts, i kinda get it

[....]

Come again :?: