1185:
31:
471:
1062:, assisted by four junior officers. The pay of a centurion fluctuated depending on their seniority; the most junior centurion in a legion received around ten times the standard rate of pay, while the most senior legionary centurion could receive some forty times the standard rate of pay. The centurion was assisted by an
1089:
Ten cohorts of 480 legionaries would comprise a legion. Like the ranks of the centurions, cohorts would also follow a pattern of seniority; a legion's tenth cohort was its most junior, while the first cohort was the most prestigious, with its ranks filled with either veteran troops, or the best
1086:, served as a signaller, and received double pay. These officers would have their own support staff, tents, and mules. Thus, a cohort would consist of, on paper, 480 legionaries, 6 centurions, and 24 junior officers, with logistical support provided by 60-120 slaves, and 60-120 mules.
1150:, a small torsion-powered ballista, for a total of six per cohort. A contubernium would be deputed to operate the weapon, when required. Like most ancient artillery, these weapons were likely used in fixed positions for infantry defence, or in sieges. Each cohort also had one
951:, who increased in seniority from the sixth to the first centuries; thus, the centurion of the sixth century was the most junior in the cohort, while the centurion of the first century was the most senior. In order of increasing seniority, the six centurions were titled
1035:, appointed from within the contubernium, and was most likely the longest-serving legionary of the eight. The decanus organised the erection of the unit's marching tent, and ensured his tent-mates kept things tidy. A contubernium was assigned one to two pack
921:. From the late second century BC and until the middle of the third century AD, ten cohorts (about 5,000 men total) made up a legion. Cohorts were named "first cohort", "second cohort", etc. The first cohort consisted of experienced
1070:, who exercised command over the nightly guard duties, and were responsible for distributing the watchwords for the camp. A tesserarius was typically paid one-and-a-half times the standard rate of pay. A century also had a
1125:, or eagle, standard into battle, which possessed a quasi-religious importance to the legionaries. Loss of an eagle was considered a mark of extreme shame and disgrace for a legion. A legion's first cohort also had an
1047:, of which one to two would be assigned to each contubernium. They tended to the pack mule, ensured legionaries had water on the march, and camp duties such as cooking, washing, and other specialised skills such as
1156:, a stone-throwing torsion-powered catapult. Vegetius stipulates that they were transported fully-assembled on ox-drawn carts, to ensure the onager was ready for immediate use. Additional equipment, such as
1757:
913:. Although the standard size changed with time and situation, it was generally composed of 480 soldiers. A cohort is considered to be the equivalent of a modern military
1351:
1747:
1532:
499:
1742:
1078:
into battle, and also served as the unit's treasurer, keeping track of the pay and expenses of the men. Signifers typically received double pay. Lastly, a
492:
277:
173:
89:
65:
1437:
The
Complete Idiot's Guide to the Roman Empire: Engrossing Stories of Roman Conquest, Palace Intrigue, and the Politics of Empire
1115:, each of 160 men, for a total of 800 men, as opposed to six centuries of 80 men. It was the unique honour of the first cohort's
1075:
231:
485:
151:
1601:
1571:
1445:
1418:
906:
533:
1066:, who served as his second-in-command, and typically received double the legionary rate of pay. Third in seniority was a
1108:
or camp prefect, the third most senior officer in a legion, responsible for the day-to-day administration of a legion.
1752:
1687:
1382:
39:
377:
55:
1435:
1055:. While encamped, younger legionaries may be sent out to fetch fodder, firewood, and water for the contubernium.
133:
1184:
1023:
939:, or centuries, each consisting of 80 legionaries, for a total of 480 legionaries. Early in the Republic, each
700:
247:
208:
159:
675:
606:
704:
363:
296:
84:
1387:
757:
1563:
On the Wings of Eagles: The
Reforms of Gaius Marius and the Creation of Rome's First Professional Soldiers
865:
773:
182:
855:
720:
526:
392:
47:
1285:
Although not part of a legion, some paramilitary corps in Rome consisted of one or more cohorts:
980:
918:
631:
586:
20:
979:
would command the cohort overall. The nomenclature of the ranks was derived from the
Republican
1762:
850:
259:
108:
1679:
1672:
1712:
1591:
1561:
810:
542:
358:
94:
1367:
was used in a looser way to describe a rather large "company" of people (see, for instance,
1168:
were added as needed. Thus, by extrapolation, a legion had an artillery train of some sixty
1408:
1104:
348:
290:
8:
1044:
1043:, for grinding their daily grain ration into flour. These duties would be carried out by
716:
639:
519:
475:
199:
1721:
1273:
860:
444:
1683:
1597:
1567:
1496:
1441:
1414:
1319:
was a unit of the
Praetorian Guard in civilian clothes tasked with duties within the
789:
635:
451:
317:
306:
1461:
1339:
1331:
1294:
1146:
815:
428:
417:
332:
51:
1466:
1369:
1152:
1040:
655:
422:
400:
343:
1546:
1111:
The first cohort was an aberration in that it consisted of five double-strength
785:
1343:, "watchmen": Law enforcement officers forming the fire brigade in the capital.
1298:
1137:, typically a three-dimensional relief of their likeness made of beaten metal.
1121:
845:
614:
437:
407:
368:
935:
511:
128:
1736:
1587:
1510:
1157:
1134:
1090:
recruits. The commander of the first cohort's first century was known as the
840:
835:
412:
384:
312:
1297:. The term was first used to refer to the bodyguard of a general during the
1091:
1083:
910:
1249:
1192:
1161:
1067:
870:
825:
552:
322:
213:
902:
820:
1725:
1306:
1126:
1048:
1008:
was a name for a maniple of triarii, reflecting their use as spearmen,
830:
769:
753:
353:
118:
74:
1325:(sacred center of the capital, where all armed forces were forbidden).
1707:
1630:
1335:, "urban cohort": Law enforcement officers patrolling in the capital.
1310:
1116:
1059:
1052:
994:
948:
922:
914:
651:
338:
1356:
1321:
1188:
1165:
1141:
1079:
1071:
925:, while the legionaries in the tenth cohort were less experienced.
671:
562:
1032:
1015:
1000:
988:
696:
598:
103:
1230:(LA): unit of auxiliary infantry with attached mounted squadrons
1678:(5th ed.). New York: Macmillan General Reference. p.
1503:
1144:, a 4th-century Roman author, each century was equipped with a
590:
193:
1710:(April 1915). "The Promotion of Centurions in Caesar's Army".
1063:
1039:, which would carry heavier equipment and the contubernium's
1010:
887:
732:
602:
578:
1140:
Each cohort also had a small artillery corps. According to
1036:
1028:
566:
1301:; later, a unit of imperial guards (temporarily restyled
1224:: auxiliary unit originally formed of sailors and marines
933:
A legionary cohort of the early empire consisted of six
1489:
1479:
1477:
1410:
In the Name of Rome: The Men Who Won the Roman Empire
1758:
Military units and formations of the Roman
Republic
1474:
905:for full inflection table) was a standard tactical
1671:
1748:Military units and formations of the Roman Empire
1566:. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 35β37.
1027:, each of eight men, who shared a single A-frame
986:, where troops were grouped into three rankings;
1734:
541:
1560:Matthew, Christopher Anthony (December 2009).
1743:Infantry units and formations of ancient Rome
1586:
943:consisted of 100 men, hence their name. Each
527:
493:
1058:A century of 80 men would be commanded by a
1406:
534:
520:
500:
486:
1666:relating to the imperial palace, imperial
1580:
1021:A century of 80 men was divided into ten
1183:
1098:, a legion's most senior centurion. The
992:for the most inexperienced, followed by
1669:
1559:
1735:
1433:
1280:
1031:together. A contubernium was led by a
1706:
1483:
515:
1305:(imperial cohort), c. 300 AD, under
1355:(imperial body guards recruited in
1242:: infantry auxiliary unit of bowmen
928:
894:
19:For other senses of this word, see
13:
1511:"Decanus Law and Legal Definition"
1407:Goldsworthy, Adrian (2016-02-23).
1218:: auxiliary, nominally 1000 strong
1179:
14:
1774:
1383:List of Roman auxiliary regiments
1293:, never grouped to a legion, the
1212:: auxiliary, nominally 500 strong
1662:whose temple was on the Palatine
469:
29:
1646:
1643:Vegetius, De re militari, IV:22
1637:
1623:
1610:
1258:(LA): auxiliary unit granted a
1553:
1539:
1525:
1467:Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary
1454:
1427:
1400:
1102:was eligible for promotion to
1:
1533:"Vindolanda Charitable Trust"
1393:
364:Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes
1388:Auxiliaries (Roman military)
1363:Furthermore, the Latin word
1074:, who carried the century's
278:Frontiers and fortifications
7:
1596:. Routledge. pp. 46β.
1434:Nelson, Eric (2001-08-01).
1376:
1014:being the Latin word for a
544:Army units and organization
90:Decorations and punishments
10:
1779:
1700:
1674:Cassell's Latin Dictionary
1206:: allied or auxiliary unit
1004:for the most experienced.
917:. The cohort replaced the
617:/ Echelon ββββ
18:
16:Roman military subdivision
1753:Roman tactical formations
1497:"Roman Military Glossary"
1413:. Yale University Press.
1352:Germani custodes corporis
803:
746:
689:
624:
551:
856:Battalion tactical group
393:Claustra Alpium Iuliarum
378:DanubeβIllerβRhine Limes
48:Military of ancient Rome
1670:Simpson, D. P. (1968).
1593:The Imperial Roman Army
476:Ancient Rome portal
21:cohort (disambiguation)
1199:
1119:to carry the legion's
851:Regimental combat team
1713:The Classical Journal
1262:(military decoration)
1210:Cohors quinquagenaria
1187:
359:Neckar-Odenwald Limes
174:Technological history
1248:(LA): guard unit of
1105:praefectus castrorum
349:Lower Germanic Limes
248:Strategy and tactics
183:Military engineering
85:Unit types and ranks
1590:(28 October 2013).
1291:cohortes praetoriae
1281:Other Roman cohorts
1246:Cohors speculatorum
1236:(LA): infantry unit
1197:cohors speculatorum
947:was commanded by a
344:Lauter Valley Limes
1535:. 31 October 2022.
1470:. Merriam-Webster.
1349:(LA): the unit of
1266:Cohors tumultuaria
1252:composed of scouts
1200:
1082:, equipped with a
961:princeps posterior
953:hastatus posterior
445:Limes Tripolitanus
66:Structural history
1631:"Roman Artillery"
1603:978-1-135-95513-7
1573:978-1-4438-1813-1
1447:978-1-101-19918-3
1420:978-0-300-22183-1
1347:Cohors Germanorum
1240:Cohors sagittaria
1129:, who carried an
879:
878:
510:
509:
461:
460:
452:Limes Mauretaniae
307:Limes Britannicus
268:
267:
232:Political history
222:
221:
142:
141:
1770:
1729:
1694:
1693:
1677:
1650:
1644:
1641:
1635:
1634:
1627:
1621:
1614:
1608:
1607:
1584:
1578:
1577:
1557:
1551:
1550:
1547:"Roman Military"
1543:
1537:
1536:
1529:
1523:
1522:
1520:
1518:
1507:
1501:
1500:
1493:
1487:
1481:
1472:
1471:
1458:
1452:
1451:
1431:
1425:
1424:
1404:
1340:Cohortes vigilum
1332:Cohortes urbanae
1216:Cohors milliaria
1195:in honor of the
1133:of the reigning
929:Legionary cohort
896:
545:
536:
529:
522:
513:
512:
502:
495:
488:
474:
473:
472:
333:Limes Germanicus
283:
282:
260:Infantry tactics
253:
252:
209:Triumphal arches
179:
178:
160:Wars and battles
152:Campaign history
71:
70:
33:
32:
26:
25:
1778:
1777:
1773:
1772:
1771:
1769:
1768:
1767:
1733:
1732:
1703:
1698:
1697:
1690:
1651:
1647:
1642:
1638:
1629:
1628:
1624:
1615:
1611:
1604:
1585:
1581:
1574:
1558:
1554:
1545:
1544:
1540:
1531:
1530:
1526:
1516:
1514:
1509:
1508:
1504:
1495:
1494:
1490:
1482:
1475:
1460:
1459:
1455:
1448:
1432:
1428:
1421:
1405:
1401:
1396:
1379:
1370:cohors amicorum
1303:cohors palatina
1283:
1256:Cohors torquata
1234:Cohors peditata
1228:Cohors equitata
1222:Cohors classica
1191:, struck under
1182:
1180:Types of cohort
969:pilus posterior
931:
880:
875:
799:
742:
685:
620:
609: βββ
554:
547:
543:
540:
506:
470:
468:
463:
462:
457:
429:Limes Sarmatiae
423:Anastasian Wall
401:Pannonian Limes
280:
270:
269:
264:
250:
240:
239:
238:
234:
224:
223:
218:
204:
176:
166:
165:
164:
154:
144:
143:
138:
113:
99:
68:
58:
30:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1776:
1766:
1765:
1760:
1755:
1750:
1745:
1731:
1730:
1720:(7): 300β311.
1702:
1699:
1696:
1695:
1688:
1645:
1636:
1622:
1618:De re militari
1609:
1602:
1579:
1572:
1552:
1538:
1524:
1502:
1488:
1486:, p. 301.
1473:
1453:
1446:
1426:
1419:
1398:
1397:
1395:
1392:
1391:
1390:
1385:
1378:
1375:
1361:
1360:
1344:
1336:
1328:
1327:
1326:
1282:
1279:
1278:
1277:
1276:auxiliary unit
1263:
1253:
1243:
1237:
1231:
1225:
1219:
1213:
1207:
1181:
1178:
998:, and finally
965:princeps prior
957:hastatus prior
930:
927:
877:
876:
874:
873:
868:
863:
858:
853:
848:
846:Combat command
843:
838:
833:
828:
823:
818:
813:
807:
805:
801:
800:
798:
797:
782:
781:
766:
765:
750:
748:
744:
743:
741:
740:
729:
728:
713:
712:
693:
691:
687:
686:
684:
683:
668:
667:
648:
647:
628:
626:
622:
621:
619:
618:
611:
610:
595:
594:
583:
582:
575:
574:
559:
557:
549:
548:
539:
538:
531:
524:
516:
508:
507:
505:
504:
497:
490:
482:
479:
478:
465:
464:
459:
458:
456:
455:
448:
441:
438:Limes Arabicus
433:
432:
425:
420:
415:
410:
408:Limes Alutanus
404:
403:
397:
396:
388:
387:
381:
380:
374:
373:
372:
371:
369:Wetterau Limes
366:
361:
356:
351:
346:
341:
328:
327:
326:
325:
320:
318:Hadrian's Wall
315:
302:
301:
300:
299:
286:
281:
276:
275:
272:
271:
266:
265:
263:
262:
256:
251:
246:
245:
242:
241:
236:
235:
230:
229:
226:
225:
220:
219:
217:
216:
211:
205:
203:
202:
197:
189:
186:
185:
177:
172:
171:
168:
167:
163:
162:
156:
155:
150:
149:
146:
145:
140:
139:
137:
136:
131:
125:
122:
121:
115:
114:
112:
111:
106:
100:
98:
97:
92:
87:
81:
78:
77:
69:
64:
63:
60:
59:
50:
44:
43:
35:
34:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1775:
1764:
1763:Roman legions
1761:
1759:
1756:
1754:
1751:
1749:
1746:
1744:
1741:
1740:
1738:
1727:
1723:
1719:
1715:
1714:
1709:
1705:
1704:
1691:
1689:0-02-522570-7
1685:
1681:
1676:
1675:
1667:
1664:, Hor.; also
1663:
1659:
1655:
1649:
1640:
1632:
1626:
1619:
1613:
1605:
1599:
1595:
1594:
1589:
1588:Yann Le Bohec
1583:
1575:
1569:
1565:
1564:
1556:
1548:
1542:
1534:
1528:
1513:. uslegal.com
1512:
1506:
1498:
1492:
1485:
1480:
1478:
1469:
1468:
1463:
1457:
1449:
1443:
1439:
1438:
1430:
1422:
1416:
1412:
1411:
1403:
1399:
1389:
1386:
1384:
1381:
1380:
1374:
1372:
1371:
1366:
1358:
1354:
1353:
1348:
1345:
1342:
1341:
1337:
1334:
1333:
1329:
1324:
1323:
1318:
1317:Cohors togata
1315:
1314:
1312:
1308:
1304:
1300:
1296:
1292:
1288:
1287:
1286:
1275:
1271:
1267:
1264:
1261:
1257:
1254:
1251:
1247:
1244:
1241:
1238:
1235:
1232:
1229:
1226:
1223:
1220:
1217:
1214:
1211:
1208:
1205:
1204:Cohors alaria
1202:
1201:
1198:
1194:
1190:
1186:
1177:
1175:
1171:
1167:
1163:
1159:
1155:
1154:
1149:
1148:
1143:
1138:
1136:
1132:
1128:
1124:
1123:
1118:
1114:
1109:
1107:
1106:
1101:
1097:
1093:
1087:
1085:
1081:
1077:
1073:
1069:
1065:
1061:
1056:
1054:
1050:
1046:
1042:
1038:
1034:
1030:
1026:
1025:
1019:
1017:
1013:
1012:
1007:
1003:
1002:
997:
996:
991:
990:
985:
983:
978:
974:
970:
966:
962:
958:
954:
950:
946:
942:
938:
937:
926:
924:
920:
916:
912:
908:
907:military unit
904:
900:
892:
889:
885:
872:
869:
867:
864:
862:
859:
857:
854:
852:
849:
847:
844:
842:
841:Flying column
839:
837:
836:Brigade group
834:
832:
829:
827:
824:
822:
819:
817:
814:
812:
809:
808:
806:
802:
795:
791:
787:
784:
783:
779:
775:
771:
768:
767:
763:
759:
755:
752:
751:
749:
745:
738:
734:
731:
730:
726:
722:
718:
715:
714:
710:
706:
702:
698:
695:
694:
692:
688:
681:
677:
673:
670:
669:
665:
661:
657:
653:
650:
649:
645:
641:
637:
633:
630:
629:
627:
623:
616:
613:
612:
608:
604:
600:
597:
596:
592:
588:
585:
584:
581: β
580:
577:
576:
572:
568:
564:
561:
560:
558:
556:
550:
546:
537:
532:
530:
525:
523:
518:
517:
514:
503:
498:
496:
491:
489:
484:
483:
481:
480:
477:
467:
466:
454:
453:
449:
447:
446:
442:
440:
439:
435:
434:
431:
430:
426:
424:
421:
419:
418:Trajan's Wall
416:
414:
413:Limes Moesiae
411:
409:
406:
405:
402:
399:
398:
395:
394:
390:
389:
386:
385:Norican Limes
383:
382:
379:
376:
375:
370:
367:
365:
362:
360:
357:
355:
352:
350:
347:
345:
342:
340:
337:
336:
335:
334:
330:
329:
324:
321:
319:
316:
314:
313:Antonine Wall
311:
310:
309:
308:
304:
303:
298:
295:
294:
293:
292:
288:
287:
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1652:"Hence adj.
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1515:. Retrieved
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1440:. Penguin.
1295:Praetorians
1250:Mark Antony
1193:Mark Antony
1068:tesserarius
1045:camp slaves
1024:contubernia
977:pilus prior
973:pilus prior
923:legionaries
903:wikt:cohors
871:Combat team
861:Battlegroup
826:Field force
323:Saxon Shore
1737:Categories
1708:Radin, Max
1660:; Apollo,
1616:Vegetius,
1484:Radin 1915
1394:References
1307:Diocletian
1127:imaginifer
1096:primipilus
886:(from the
866:Group army
831:Task force
811:Detachment
770:Army group
754:Field army
354:Main Limes
1654:PΔlΔtΔ«nus
1620:, II, 25.
1311:tetrarchy
1289:The nine
1274:irregular
1166:ballistae
1117:aquilifer
1113:centuriae
1060:centurion
1053:carpentry
995:principes
982:manipular
949:centurion
936:centuriae
915:battalion
804:Temporary
690:Formation
652:Battalion
339:Alb Limes
1658:Palatine
1377:See also
1357:Germania
1322:pomerium
1299:Republic
1270:tumultus
1189:Denarius
1172:and ten
1170:scorpios
1142:Vegetius
1080:cornicen
1076:standard
1072:signifer
1049:smithing
945:centuria
941:centuria
899:cohortes
717:Division
672:Regiment
656:Squadron
640:Squadron
593: ββ
563:Fireteam
134:Admirals
109:Generals
40:a series
38:Part of
1726:3287327
1701:Sources
1668:: Ov."β
1656:-a -um
1462:"pilum"
1260:torques
1174:onagers
1147:scorpio
1135:Emperor
1033:decanus
1016:javelin
1001:triarii
989:hastati
984:legions
919:maniple
790:Theater
758:Command
747:Command
697:Brigade
636:Battery
632:Company
615:Staffel
599:Platoon
587:Section
555:element
104:Auxilia
95:Legions
1724:
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1600:
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1417:
1365:cohors
1268:(from
1162:towers
1153:onager
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975:. The
971:, and
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891:cohors
884:cohort
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794:ββββββ
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786:Region
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194:Castra
129:Fleets
56:AD 476
52:753 BC
42:on the
1722:JSTOR
1131:imago
1084:cornu
1064:optio
1037:mules
1011:pilum
1006:Pilus
909:of a
888:Latin
816:Chalk
778:βββββ
774:Front
733:Corps
701:Group
680:β β β
676:Group
603:Troop
579:Squad
297:Walls
291:Limes
214:Roads
1684:ISBN
1598:ISBN
1568:ISBN
1519:2011
1442:ISBN
1415:ISBN
1158:rams
1041:mill
1029:tent
762:ββββ
705:Wing
625:Unit
567:Crew
119:Navy
75:Army
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1373:).
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