1196:
42:
482:
1073:, 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
1100:
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
1097:, 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.
1161:, 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
962:, 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
1046:, 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
932:. 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
1081:, 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
1136:, 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
1058:, 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
1167:, 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
1768:
1758:
510:
1753:
924:. 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
1543:
1089:
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
503:
288:
184:
100:
76:
1086:
242:
496:
162:
1612:
1582:
1456:
1429:
1195:
544:
1763:
1698:
1393:
388:
50:
1448:
The
Complete Idiot's Guide to the Roman Empire: Engrossing Stories of Roman Conquest, Palace Intrigue, and the Politics of Empire
1126:, 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
66:
144:
1034:
711:
258:
219:
170:
715:
374:
307:
95:
1077:, who served as his second-in-command, and typically received double the legionary rate of pay. Third in seniority was a
1398:
1119:
or camp prefect, the third most senior officer in a legion, responsible for the day-to-day administration of a legion.
768:
876:
784:
193:
1446:
1066:. While encamped, younger legionaries may be sent out to fetch fodder, firewood, and water for the contubernium.
1362:
950:, or centuries, each consisting of 80 legionaries, for a total of 480 legionaries. Early in the Republic, each
866:
731:
537:
403:
58:
991:
929:
642:
597:
31:
1773:
1574:
On the Wings of Eagles: The
Reforms of Gaius Marius and the Creation of Rome's First Professional Soldiers
861:
617:
270:
119:
1723:
917:
821:
686:
553:
369:
105:
1115:
359:
301:
1055:
727:
650:
530:
486:
210:
1732:
1296:
Although not part of a legion, some paramilitary corps in Rome consisted of one or more cohorts:
1284:
871:
455:
990:
would command the cohort overall. The nomenclature of the ranks was derived from the
Republican
1694:
1690:
1683:
1608:
1578:
1452:
1425:
800:
646:
462:
328:
317:
1602:
1572:
1378:
was used in a looser way to describe a rather large "company" of people (see, for instance,
1350:
1342:
1305:
1179:
were added as needed. Thus, by extrapolation, a legion had an artillery train of some sixty
1157:
826:
439:
428:
343:
62:
1419:
1477:
1380:
1163:
1051:
666:
433:
411:
354:
1054:, for grinding their daily grain ration into flour. These duties would be carried out by
1309:
1132:
856:
625:
448:
418:
379:
1747:
1598:
1507:
1330:
was a unit of the
Praetorian Guard in civilian clothes tasked with duties within the
1168:
1145:
851:
846:
423:
395:
323:
1472:
1102:
1094:
921:
1557:
1260:
1203:
1172:
1122:
The first cohort was an aberration in that it consisted of five double-strength
1078:
881:
836:
563:
333:
224:
1354:, "watchmen": Law enforcement officers forming the fire brigade in the capital.
1148:, typically a three-dimensional relief of their likeness made of beaten metal.
1317:
1137:
1059:
841:
780:
764:
522:
364:
139:
129:
85:
17:
1521:
1101:
recruits. The commander of the first cohort's first century was known as the
1718:
1321:
1308:. The term was first used to refer to the bodyguard of a general during the
1127:
1070:
1063:
1005:
959:
946:
933:
925:
662:
349:
1367:
1332:
1199:
1176:
1152:
1090:
1082:
682:
573:
913:
1736:
1043:
1026:
1019:
was a name for a maniple of triarii, reflecting their use as spearmen,
1011:
999:
707:
609:
114:
1336:(sacred center of the capital, where all armed forces were forbidden).
1641:
1346:, "urban cohort": Law enforcement officers patrolling in the capital.
831:
796:
601:
204:
936:, while the legionaries in the tenth cohort were less experienced.
1194:
1074:
1021:
898:
743:
613:
589:
1241:(LA): unit of auxiliary infantry with attached mounted squadrons
1047:
1039:
577:
1689:(5th ed.). New York: Macmillan General Reference. p.
1155:, a 4th-century Roman author, each century was equipped with a
526:
1721:(April 1915). "The Promotion of Centurions in Caesar's Army".
1050:, which would carry heavier equipment and the contubernium's
1151:
Each cohort also had a small artillery corps. According to
1312:; later, a unit of imperial guards (temporarily restyled
1235:: auxiliary unit originally formed of sailors and marines
944:
A legionary cohort of the early empire consisted of six
1490:
1488:
1421:
In the Name of Rome: The Men Who Won the Roman Empire
1769:
Military units and formations of the Roman
Republic
916:for full inflection table) was a standard tactical
814:
757:
700:
635:
562:
1682:
1759:Military units and formations of the Roman Empire
1577:. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 35β37.
1038:, each of eight men, who shared a single A-frame
997:, where troops were grouped into three rankings;
1571:Matthew, Christopher Anthony (December 2009).
1754:Infantry units and formations of ancient Rome
954:consisted of 100 men, hence their name. Each
538:
504:
8:
1069:A century of 80 men would be commanded by a
545:
531:
523:
511:
497:
293:
263:
189:
81:
36:
1677:relating to the imperial palace, imperial
1032:A century of 80 men was divided into ten
1109:, a legion's most senior centurion. The
1003:for the most inexperienced, followed by
1410:
192:
128:
84:
57:
1042:together. A contubernium was led by a
1494:
7:
1316:(imperial cohort), c. 300 AD, under
1366:(imperial body guards recruited in
1253:: infantry auxiliary unit of bowmen
905:
30:For other senses of this word, see
1522:"Decanus Law and Legal Definition"
1418:Goldsworthy, Adrian (2016-02-23).
1229:: auxiliary, nominally 1000 strong
25:
1394:List of Roman auxiliary regiments
1304:, never grouped to a legion, the
1223:: auxiliary, nominally 500 strong
1673:whose temple was on the Palatine
480:
40:
1654:Vegetius, De re militari, IV:22
1269:(LA): auxiliary unit granted a
1478:Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary
1113:was eligible for promotion to
1:
1544:"Vindolanda Charitable Trust"
375:Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes
1399:Auxiliaries (Roman military)
1374:Furthermore, the Latin word
1085:, who carried the century's
289:Frontiers and fortifications
1607:. Routledge. pp. 46β.
1445:Nelson, Eric (2001-08-01).
1025:being the Latin word for a
555:Army units and organization
101:Decorations and punishments
1790:
1685:Cassell's Latin Dictionary
1217:: allied or auxiliary unit
1015:for the most experienced.
928:. The cohort replaced the
628:/ Echelon ββββ
29:
27:Roman military subdivision
1764:Roman tactical formations
1508:"Roman Military Glossary"
1424:. Yale University Press.
1363:Germani custodes corporis
867:Battalion tactical group
404:Claustra Alpium Iuliarum
389:DanubeβIllerβRhine Limes
59:Military of ancient Rome
1681:Simpson, D. P. (1968).
1604:The Imperial Roman Army
487:Ancient Rome portal
32:cohort (disambiguation)
1210:
1130:to carry the legion's
862:Regimental combat team
1724:The Classical Journal
1273:(military decoration)
1221:Cohors quinquagenaria
1198:
370:Neckar-Odenwald Limes
185:Technological history
1259:(LA): guard unit of
1116:praefectus castrorum
360:Lower Germanic Limes
259:Strategy and tactics
194:Military engineering
96:Unit types and ranks
1601:(28 October 2013).
1302:cohortes praetoriae
1292:Other Roman cohorts
1257:Cohors speculatorum
1247:(LA): infantry unit
1208:cohors speculatorum
958:was commanded by a
355:Lauter Valley Limes
1546:. 31 October 2022.
1481:. Merriam-Webster.
1360:(LA): the unit of
1277:Cohors tumultuaria
1263:composed of scouts
1211:
1093:, equipped with a
972:princeps posterior
964:hastatus posterior
456:Limes Tripolitanus
77:Structural history
1642:"Roman Artillery"
1614:978-1-135-95513-7
1584:978-1-4438-1813-1
1458:978-1-101-19918-3
1431:978-0-300-22183-1
1358:Cohors Germanorum
1251:Cohors sagittaria
1140:, who carried an
890:
889:
521:
520:
472:
471:
463:Limes Mauretaniae
318:Limes Britannicus
279:
278:
243:Political history
233:
232:
153:
152:
16:(Redirected from
1781:
1740:
1705:
1704:
1688:
1661:
1655:
1652:
1646:
1645:
1638:
1632:
1625:
1619:
1618:
1595:
1589:
1588:
1568:
1562:
1561:
1558:"Roman Military"
1554:
1548:
1547:
1540:
1534:
1533:
1531:
1529:
1518:
1512:
1511:
1504:
1498:
1492:
1483:
1482:
1469:
1463:
1462:
1442:
1436:
1435:
1415:
1351:Cohortes vigilum
1343:Cohortes urbanae
1227:Cohors milliaria
1206:in honor of the
1144:of the reigning
940:Legionary cohort
907:
556:
547:
540:
533:
524:
513:
506:
499:
485:
484:
483:
344:Limes Germanicus
294:
271:Infantry tactics
264:
220:Triumphal arches
190:
171:Wars and battles
163:Campaign history
82:
44:
43:
37:
21:
1789:
1788:
1784:
1783:
1782:
1780:
1779:
1778:
1744:
1743:
1717:
1714:
1709:
1708:
1701:
1680:
1662:
1658:
1653:
1649:
1640:
1639:
1635:
1626:
1622:
1615:
1597:
1596:
1592:
1585:
1570:
1569:
1565:
1556:
1555:
1551:
1542:
1541:
1537:
1527:
1525:
1520:
1519:
1515:
1506:
1505:
1501:
1493:
1486:
1471:
1470:
1466:
1459:
1444:
1443:
1439:
1432:
1417:
1416:
1412:
1407:
1390:
1381:cohors amicorum
1314:cohors palatina
1294:
1267:Cohors torquata
1245:Cohors peditata
1239:Cohors equitata
1233:Cohors classica
1202:, struck under
1193:
1191:Types of cohort
980:pilus posterior
942:
891:
886:
810:
753:
696:
631:
620: βββ
565:
558:
554:
551:
517:
481:
479:
474:
473:
468:
440:Limes Sarmatiae
434:Anastasian Wall
412:Pannonian Limes
291:
281:
280:
275:
261:
251:
250:
249:
245:
235:
234:
229:
215:
187:
177:
176:
175:
165:
155:
154:
149:
124:
110:
79:
69:
41:
35:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
1787:
1785:
1777:
1776:
1771:
1766:
1761:
1756:
1746:
1745:
1742:
1741:
1731:(7): 300β311.
1713:
1710:
1707:
1706:
1699:
1656:
1647:
1633:
1629:De re militari
1620:
1613:
1590:
1583:
1563:
1549:
1535:
1513:
1499:
1497:, p. 301.
1484:
1464:
1457:
1437:
1430:
1409:
1408:
1406:
1403:
1402:
1401:
1396:
1389:
1386:
1372:
1371:
1355:
1347:
1339:
1338:
1337:
1293:
1290:
1289:
1288:
1287:auxiliary unit
1274:
1264:
1254:
1248:
1242:
1236:
1230:
1224:
1218:
1192:
1189:
1009:, and finally
976:princeps prior
968:hastatus prior
941:
938:
888:
887:
885:
884:
879:
874:
869:
864:
859:
857:Combat command
854:
849:
844:
839:
834:
829:
824:
818:
816:
812:
811:
809:
808:
793:
792:
777:
776:
761:
759:
755:
754:
752:
751:
740:
739:
724:
723:
704:
702:
698:
697:
695:
694:
679:
678:
659:
658:
639:
637:
633:
632:
630:
629:
622:
621:
606:
605:
594:
593:
586:
585:
570:
568:
560:
559:
552:
550:
549:
542:
535:
527:
519:
518:
516:
515:
508:
501:
493:
490:
489:
476:
475:
470:
469:
467:
466:
459:
452:
449:Limes Arabicus
444:
443:
436:
431:
426:
421:
419:Limes Alutanus
415:
414:
408:
407:
399:
398:
392:
391:
385:
384:
383:
382:
380:Wetterau Limes
377:
372:
367:
362:
357:
352:
339:
338:
337:
336:
331:
329:Hadrian's Wall
326:
313:
312:
311:
310:
297:
292:
287:
286:
283:
282:
277:
276:
274:
273:
267:
262:
257:
256:
253:
252:
247:
246:
241:
240:
237:
236:
231:
230:
228:
227:
222:
216:
214:
213:
208:
200:
197:
196:
188:
183:
182:
179:
178:
174:
173:
167:
166:
161:
160:
157:
156:
151:
150:
148:
147:
142:
136:
133:
132:
126:
125:
123:
122:
117:
111:
109:
108:
103:
98:
92:
89:
88:
80:
75:
74:
71:
70:
61:
55:
54:
46:
45:
26:
24:
18:Cohort (Roman)
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1786:
1775:
1774:Roman legions
1772:
1770:
1767:
1765:
1762:
1760:
1757:
1755:
1752:
1751:
1749:
1738:
1734:
1730:
1726:
1725:
1720:
1716:
1715:
1711:
1702:
1700:0-02-522570-7
1696:
1692:
1687:
1686:
1678:
1675:, Hor.; also
1674:
1670:
1666:
1660:
1657:
1651:
1648:
1643:
1637:
1634:
1630:
1624:
1621:
1616:
1610:
1606:
1605:
1600:
1599:Yann Le Bohec
1594:
1591:
1586:
1580:
1576:
1575:
1567:
1564:
1559:
1553:
1550:
1545:
1539:
1536:
1524:. uslegal.com
1523:
1517:
1514:
1509:
1503:
1500:
1496:
1491:
1489:
1485:
1480:
1479:
1474:
1468:
1465:
1460:
1454:
1450:
1449:
1441:
1438:
1433:
1427:
1423:
1422:
1414:
1411:
1404:
1400:
1397:
1395:
1392:
1391:
1387:
1385:
1383:
1382:
1377:
1369:
1365:
1364:
1359:
1356:
1353:
1352:
1348:
1345:
1344:
1340:
1335:
1334:
1329:
1328:Cohors togata
1326:
1325:
1323:
1319:
1315:
1311:
1307:
1303:
1299:
1298:
1297:
1291:
1286:
1282:
1278:
1275:
1272:
1268:
1265:
1262:
1258:
1255:
1252:
1249:
1246:
1243:
1240:
1237:
1234:
1231:
1228:
1225:
1222:
1219:
1216:
1215:Cohors alaria
1213:
1212:
1209:
1205:
1201:
1197:
1190:
1188:
1186:
1182:
1178:
1174:
1170:
1166:
1165:
1160:
1159:
1154:
1149:
1147:
1143:
1139:
1135:
1134:
1129:
1125:
1120:
1118:
1117:
1112:
1108:
1104:
1098:
1096:
1092:
1088:
1084:
1080:
1076:
1072:
1067:
1065:
1061:
1057:
1053:
1049:
1045:
1041:
1037:
1036:
1030:
1028:
1024:
1023:
1018:
1014:
1013:
1008:
1007:
1002:
1001:
996:
994:
989:
985:
981:
977:
973:
969:
965:
961:
957:
953:
949:
948:
939:
937:
935:
931:
927:
923:
919:
918:military unit
915:
911:
903:
900:
896:
883:
880:
878:
875:
873:
870:
868:
865:
863:
860:
858:
855:
853:
852:Flying column
850:
848:
847:Brigade group
845:
843:
840:
838:
835:
833:
830:
828:
825:
823:
820:
819:
817:
813:
806:
802:
798:
795:
794:
790:
786:
782:
779:
778:
774:
770:
766:
763:
762:
760:
756:
749:
745:
742:
741:
737:
733:
729:
726:
725:
721:
717:
713:
709:
706:
705:
703:
699:
692:
688:
684:
681:
680:
676:
672:
668:
664:
661:
660:
656:
652:
648:
644:
641:
640:
638:
634:
627:
624:
623:
619:
615:
611:
608:
607:
603:
599:
596:
595:
592: β
591:
588:
587:
583:
579:
575:
572:
571:
569:
567:
561:
557:
548:
543:
541:
536:
534:
529:
528:
525:
514:
509:
507:
502:
500:
495:
494:
492:
491:
488:
478:
477:
465:
464:
460:
458:
457:
453:
451:
450:
446:
445:
442:
441:
437:
435:
432:
430:
429:Trajan's Wall
427:
425:
424:Limes Moesiae
422:
420:
417:
416:
413:
410:
409:
406:
405:
401:
400:
397:
396:Norican Limes
394:
393:
390:
387:
386:
381:
378:
376:
373:
371:
368:
366:
363:
361:
358:
356:
353:
351:
348:
347:
346:
345:
341:
340:
335:
332:
330:
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1451:. Penguin.
1306:Praetorians
1261:Mark Antony
1204:Mark Antony
1079:tesserarius
1056:camp slaves
1035:contubernia
988:pilus prior
984:pilus prior
934:legionaries
914:wikt:cohors
882:Combat team
872:Battlegroup
837:Field force
334:Saxon Shore
1748:Categories
1719:Radin, Max
1671:; Apollo,
1627:Vegetius,
1495:Radin 1915
1405:References
1318:Diocletian
1138:imaginifer
1107:primipilus
897:(from the
877:Group army
842:Task force
822:Detachment
781:Army group
765:Field army
365:Main Limes
1665:PΔlΔtΔ«nus
1631:, II, 25.
1322:tetrarchy
1300:The nine
1285:irregular
1177:ballistae
1128:aquilifer
1124:centuriae
1071:centurion
1064:carpentry
1006:principes
993:manipular
960:centurion
947:centuriae
926:battalion
815:Temporary
701:Formation
663:Battalion
350:Alb Limes
1669:Palatine
1388:See also
1368:Germania
1333:pomerium
1310:Republic
1281:tumultus
1200:Denarius
1183:and ten
1181:scorpios
1153:Vegetius
1091:cornicen
1087:standard
1083:signifer
1060:smithing
956:centuria
952:centuria
910:cohortes
728:Division
683:Regiment
667:Squadron
651:Squadron
604: ββ
574:Fireteam
145:Admirals
120:Generals
51:a series
49:Part of
1737:3287327
1712:Sources
1679:: Ov."β
1667:-a -um
1473:"pilum"
1271:torques
1185:onagers
1158:scorpio
1146:Emperor
1044:decanus
1027:javelin
1012:triarii
1000:hastati
995:legions
930:maniple
801:Theater
769:Command
758:Command
708:Brigade
647:Battery
643:Company
626:Staffel
610:Platoon
598:Section
566:element
115:Auxilia
106:Legions
1735:
1697:
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1376:cohors
1279:(from
1173:towers
1164:onager
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986:. The
982:, and
912:; see
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895:cohort
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205:Castra
140:Fleets
67:AD 476
63:753 BC
53:on the
1733:JSTOR
1142:imago
1095:cornu
1075:optio
1048:mules
1022:pilum
1017:Pilus
920:of a
899:Latin
827:Chalk
789:βββββ
785:Front
744:Corps
712:Group
691:β β β
687:Group
614:Troop
590:Squad
308:Walls
302:Limes
225:Roads
1695:ISBN
1609:ISBN
1579:ISBN
1530:2011
1453:ISBN
1426:ISBN
1169:rams
1052:mill
1040:tent
773:ββββ
716:Wing
636:Unit
578:Crew
130:Navy
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1691:420
1384:).
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