A centurion was an officer in the Roman army. They were the equivalent of a modern sergeant. They were easily identified on the battlefield because of their side-to-side crests on their helmets. You got the job after being promoted from the ranks due to coolness in combat and leadership ability.
The centurion in the infantry is chosen for his size, strength and dexterity in throwing his missile weapons and for his skill in the use of his sword and shield; in short for his expertness in all the exercises. He is to be vigilant, temperate, active and readier to execute the orders he receives than to talk; Strict in exercising and keeping up proper discipline among his soldiers, in obliging them to appear clean and well-dressed and to have their weapons constantly rubbed and bright.
- Vegetius from De Re Militari
They were the backbone of the legion. Each centurion commanded a century (60 men, not 100) in the legion. They fought alongside their men and were in charge of rotating the front rank out of contact and moving the next row up. In camp, they handled training, sentry duty, and minor discipline problems. This was usually done by way of their canes which were used on disobedient or slacking legionaries. One of them was so famous for breaking his vitis on his men that he was given the nickname “Fetch Me Another.”
It could be boring being stationed at a Roman fort in North Africa. Legionaries from the 3rd Legion decided to form a poetry club to write and share poems. One of those poems has survived because it was an inscription on the tomb of an anonymous centurion. He was clearly a veteran of Rome’s war with Dacia. The poem was written in the early 2nd Century A.D. Here is his poem:
I wanted to hold slaughtered Dacians. I held them.
I wanted to sit on a chair of peace. I sat on it.
I wanted to take part in famous triumphs. It was done.
I wanted the full benefits of a chief centurion. I have had them.
I wanted to see naked nymphs. I saw them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centurion
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