PRIMUS PILUS
Epoch of August and Tiberius, First Half of 1st Century A.D.
PRIMUS PILUS
Epoch of August and Tiberius, First Half of 1st Century A.D.
Company: Pegaso Models
Sculptor: Yuri Serebriakov
Article: 75-012
Material: white metal
Pieces: 16
Weight: 225 gr.
Size: 75 mm.
REFERENCE INCLUIDED:
Like all non-commissioned officers in any period or army, the Centurions were the backbone of the Roman Army. The Centurions were all Roman Citizens and in the 1st Century A.D., they were most often of italic origins, and mainly from the middle class of society. In the Roman World, the social/class order and origins of a person were fundamental. The higher the class, the greater opportunities in military as well as other careers. A Roman Citizen of the middle class, could start their military career at the lowest level (as a Legionary) and eventually become a Centurion.
The Centurion commanded the Century, the basic unit of the Legion (made up of 80 Legionaries). The Roman Legions consisted of ten Cohorts adn those from II to the X had 6 Centuries each, that When joined, formed 3 maniples. Each maniple of 2 Centuries, was commanded by a primary Centurion (prior) and a secondary Centurion (posterior)with the highest ranking of Pilus Prior of the 1st maniple, princeps of the second maniple and Bastatus of the third maniple. The I Cohort, who was the strongest of all the Cohorts in the Legion, was divided into 5 Centuries (each Century was double the standard Century). The Primus Pilus (First Spear) was the senior Centurion in charge of the First Cohort, assisted by 4 senior Centurions.
Each Legion had 59 Centurions in total (including the Primus Pilus). The Roman military sistem enabled a Centurion to remain in charge of his Century for a period of three and a half years, thus a Centurion could be tranferred, change Legions or even move up the ranks within a Cohort or between the maniples. Until the end of the 2nd Century A.D., Centurions could be easily be recognised by the distinctive crest on their helmets, wich was turned so that it ran transversely across the helmet (crista transuersa). Another symbol of his Rank was the vitis,(a cane made from vine). This sturdy cane was used to discipline Legionaries and allowed the Centurion to strike other Romans Citizens. The cane became a symbol of the Centurion�s authority. According to Tacitus, Centurions were dressed in white and displayed decorations (ob vistutem) or disk/medallions of valour, made up of phalerae(in precious metal). These decorations were displayed on the Centurion�s chest and were held together by intricately linked leather belt. An example of an interesting career was that of Marcus Aurelius Lucillus, who originated with Equites Singularis Augusti, then became Centurion with the I Legion Adiutrix, II Traiana. VIII Augusta, XIV Gemina. Hi died when he was 60 years old, after 40 years of service in the Roman Army.
The military career of a Centurion could last a life-time and the Centurion could move up the "rank and file" starting at the lowest level and finally culminating in the highest rank possible, that of PRIMUS PILUS, the highest rank in the Legion. RESEARCH AND TEXT: MARCO GIULIANI.
