Primus Pilus
Encyclopedia
The Primus pilus was the senior centurion
of a Roman legion
.
, the cohort
(of which there were between six and ten), became the basic tactical unit of the legions. The cohort was composed of five to eight centuries each led by a centurion
assisted by an optio
, a soldier who could read and write. The senior centurion of the legion and commander of the first cohort was called the (first file
), a career soldier and advisor to the legate
. While every normal cohort was composed of 5 to 8 centuries (normally 6 in secondus to decius cohorts), the one that was led by the primus pilus (the first) had about 10 centuries, or 800 men. It also had "extra" men, who were cooks, clerks, etc. who did not fight.
The primus pilus was so called because his own century was in the first file (pilus) of the first cohort (primus). Only eight officers in a fully officered legion outranked the primus pilus: The legate (lēgātus legiōnis
), commanding the legion; the senior tribune (tribunus laticlavus); the Camp Prefect (praefectus castrorum); and the five junior tribunes (tribūnī angusticlāviī).
In contrast to a modern military organization, a centurion is analogous to a whole range of modern ranks. Ordinary century commanders would be equivalent to a modern army's Captains or Majors that have been commissioned from the ranks
. The primus pilus with his senior staff role might be considered equivalent to a modern Lt Colonel (again gaining his promotion through the ranks).
words (file
) and , this rank is often incorrectly translated as "first spear centurion".
Centurion
A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army .Centurion may also refer to:-Military:* Centurion tank, British battle tank* HMS Centurion, name of several ships and a shore base of the British Royal Navy...
of a Roman legion
Roman legion
A Roman legion normally indicates the basic ancient Roman army unit recruited specifically from Roman citizens. The organization of legions varied greatly over time but they were typically composed of perhaps 5,000 soldiers, divided into maniples and later into "cohorts"...
.
Historical role
In the late Roman republicRoman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
, the cohort
Cohort (military unit)
A cohort was the basic tactical unit of a Roman legion following the reforms of Gaius Marius in 107 BC.-Legionary cohort:...
(of which there were between six and ten), became the basic tactical unit of the legions. The cohort was composed of five to eight centuries each led by a centurion
Centurion
A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army .Centurion may also refer to:-Military:* Centurion tank, British battle tank* HMS Centurion, name of several ships and a shore base of the British Royal Navy...
assisted by an optio
Optio
An optio , sometimes anglicized option , was a soldier in the Roman army who held a position similar to that of an executive officer in modern armies...
, a soldier who could read and write. The senior centurion of the legion and commander of the first cohort was called the (first file
File (formation)
A file is a military term for a number of troops drawn up in line ahead, i.e. one behind the other in a column. The number of files is the measure of the width of a formation of troops in several ranks one behind the other.- Ancient Greek use :...
), a career soldier and advisor to the legate
Legatus
A legatus was a general in the Roman army, equivalent to a modern general officer. Being of senatorial rank, his immediate superior was the dux, and he outranked all military tribunes...
. While every normal cohort was composed of 5 to 8 centuries (normally 6 in secondus to decius cohorts), the one that was led by the primus pilus (the first) had about 10 centuries, or 800 men. It also had "extra" men, who were cooks, clerks, etc. who did not fight.
The primus pilus was so called because his own century was in the first file (pilus) of the first cohort (primus). Only eight officers in a fully officered legion outranked the primus pilus: The legate (lēgātus legiōnis
Legatus legionis
Legatus legionis was a title awarded to legion commanders in Ancient Rome.-History:By the time of the Roman Republic, the term legatus delegated authority...
), commanding the legion; the senior tribune (tribunus laticlavus); the Camp Prefect (praefectus castrorum); and the five junior tribunes (tribūnī angusticlāviī).
In contrast to a modern military organization, a centurion is analogous to a whole range of modern ranks. Ordinary century commanders would be equivalent to a modern army's Captains or Majors that have been commissioned from the ranks
Mustang (military officer)
A Mustang is United States Military slang for a commissioned officer who began his or her career as an enlisted service member. Mustangs are older and more experienced than their peers-in-grade who earned their commissions from one of the service academies , Officer Candidate...
. The primus pilus with his senior staff role might be considered equivalent to a modern Lt Colonel (again gaining his promotion through the ranks).
Etymology
Due to similarity between LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
words (file
File (formation)
A file is a military term for a number of troops drawn up in line ahead, i.e. one behind the other in a column. The number of files is the measure of the width of a formation of troops in several ranks one behind the other.- Ancient Greek use :...
) and , this rank is often incorrectly translated as "first spear centurion".