Editing Roman legion (section)

===Centurions===
[[File:Centurion 2 Boulogne Luc Viatour.jpg|thumb|upright|A historical reenactor in Roman centurion costume]]
The rank of [[centurion]] was an officer grade that held much responsibility. The most senior centurion in a legion was known as the ''[[primus pilus]]'' ({{lit}} "first [[Maniple (military unit)|maniple]]"{{sfn|Radin|1915|p=301}}), who directly commanded the first century of the first [[Cohort (military unit)|cohort]] and commanded the whole first cohort when in battle. Within the second to tenth cohorts, the commander of each cohort's first century was known as a ''pilus prior'' and was in command of his entire cohort when in battle. The seniority of the pilus prior centurions was followed by the five other century commanders of the first cohort, who were known as a ''primi ordines''.

There is a story of one centurion, Petronius Fortunatus, making rank in four years, then spending the next forty-two years in twelve different legions never once serving in the ''primi ordines''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=John|first=Warry|title=Warfare in the Classical World|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|year=1995|isbn=0806127945|location=Norman|pages=173|language=English}}</ref> 

The six centuries of a normal cohort, were, in order of precedence:
* The rear triarii (rear third line)
* The forward triarii (forward third line)
* The rear principes (rear principal line)
* The forward principes (forward principal line)
* The rear hastati (rear spears)
* The forward hastati (forward spears)

The centuries took their titles from the old use of the legion drawn up in three lines of battle using three classes of soldier (each century would then hold a cross-section of this theoretical line, although these century titles were now essentially nominal). Each of the three lines is then sub-divided within the century into a more forward and a more rear century.
 
* '''''[[Primus pilus]]''''': the ''primus pilus'' was the commanding centurion of the first century, first cohort and the senior-most centurion of the entire legion. (Unlike other cohorts, the first cohort had only one javelin century, instead of a "front spear" and a "back spear" century.) The ''primus pilus'' had a chance of later becoming a ''praefectus castrorum''. When the ''primus pilus'' retired, he would most likely gain entry into the equestrian class. He was paid 60 times the base wage. ''Primus pilus'' were also paid more than an average centurion and like a narrowband tribune.
* '''''Pilus prior''''': the "front file" centurions were the commanders of the 10 1st centuries within the legion, making them senior centurions of their respective cohorts. While the legion was in battle formation, the ''pilus prior'' was given command of their entire cohort. The ''primus pilus'' was also a ''pilus prior'', and the most senior of all the centurions within the legion. These positions were usually held by experienced veteran soldiers who had been moved up within the ranks. This rank is subordinate to the ''primus pilus''.
* '''''Primi ordines''''': the "ranks of the first [cohort]" were the five centurions of the first cohort, and included the ''primus pilus''. They, excluding the ''primus pilus'', were paid 30 times the base wage. This rank is senior to all other centurions, save the ''primus pilus'' and ''pilus prior''.
* '''Other centurions''': each legion had 59 or 60 centurions, one to command each century of the ten cohorts. They were the backbone of the professional army and were the career soldiers who ran the day-to-day life of the soldiers and issued commands in the field. They were generally moved up from the ranks, but in some cases could be direct appointments from the emperor or other higher-ranking officials. The cohorts were ranked from the first to the tenth and the century within each cohort ranked from 1 to 6, with only five centuries in the first cohort (for a total of 59 centurions and the ''primus pilus''). The century that each centurion commanded was a direct reflection of his rank: command of the 1st century of the first cohort was the highest, and the 6th century of the 10th cohort was the lowest. Paid ten times the basic wage.