The manipuli were changed to be more flexible. The 4th century BC saw a further shake-up of the army. Each legion was made up of around 4,500 men: 3,000 heavy hoplite infantry, 1,200 light infantry, and 300 cavalrymen. By the end of the 6th century BC, the army was made up of two legions. In reality, it is likely the role of the centurion was incorporated into the armed forces to help control Rome’s growing and constantly evolving army. The rank was granted to the army's bravest and most courageous men. The rank was incorporated into the Roman army during the 5th century BC by the Etruscan king of Rome, Servius Tellius. ![]() According to him, the centurion rank was of Etruscan origin. Greek historian Polybius described the manipulus formations of the 3rd – 2nd century BC Punic Wars in his text The Histories (Cristiano64 / CC BY SA 4.0 ) Dionysus of Halicarnassus, a Greek historian from the 1st century BC, told a different tale. The organization of the Roman military, and the forces under centurion control, changed over the centuries. Each manipulus had its own standard (a signa). These infantry groups of one hundred men were called a manipulus. A quick bit of math tells us that each centurion led his own group of one hundred men. He was said to have had 3,000 men under his command, led by thirty centurions. The Roman army of the mid-8th century BC was led by Rome’s namesake, Romulus. ![]() (Hans Splinter / CC BY ND 2.0 ) Who Were the First Centurions? In Roman tradition, the rank of centurion went back to Rome’s first army. Historical reenactor in centurion costume, from LEGIO SECVNDA AVGVSTA. Being a pen-pusher was less glamorous than leading the charge in battle, but it was more lucrative and much safer. After serving his time, a successful centurion could leave the bloodshed behind and become a high-level administrator of the empire. The life of a centurion was not solely spent on the front line, however. As an officer, the centurion would assign his men duties, hand out punishments, and carry out various administrative duties. Each centurion commanded a unit of legionaries numbering roughly one hundred (hence the name). Generally speaking, a centurion was an officer in the Roman army. ![]() Who or What Was a Centurion? As we will see, the role of the centurion evolved with the Roman army. When a situation got rough, the common legionary turned to their centurion. Centurions were military officers famed for their experience and valor in battle. In the case of the Roman army, these were the centurions, Rome’s most elite troops. Yet an army is only as good as its leaders. The Romans? They were famous for their foot troops, the legionaries. For example, Egypt was famed for its chariots and Greece for its navy. The ancient world had some impressive military forces.
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