Primus pilus

Theprimus pilus(lit."firstmaniple of triarii"^[1]) orprimipiluswas the seniorcenturionof the firstcohortin aRoman legion,^[2]^[3]a formation of five double-strengthcenturiesof 160 men each;^[4]he was a career soldier and advisor to thelegate.Theprimus piluswould remain in command for one year. They could continue to serve in the army after their term ended if there was a vacancy in command or if they wished to become an independent commander of anauxiliaunit or thepraefectus castrorum.^[4]^[5]

During theRoman Empire,the emperor Claudius created the office ofprimus pilus iterum.To become theprimus pilus iteruman officer must have formerly served as a tribune in thevigiles,cohortes urbanae,orPraetorian Guard.Theprimus pilus iterumwould hold the responsibility of apraefectus castrorumbut with higher pay.^[4]

Theprimus piluswas a well paid position. They could accumulate enough wealth to become part of theequestrian class.^[4]Even if they failed to gather such wealth, they were promoted to the equestrian class after retiring.^[4]^{[clarification needed]}

Only eight officers in a fully officered legion outranked theprimus pilus:The legate (legatus legionis), commanding the legion; the senior tribune (tribunus laticlavius); the camp prefect (praefectus castrorum); and the five junior tribunes (tribuni angusticlavii).^[6]

Theprimus piluscenturion had a place in thewar councilsalong with the military tribunes and the legate.^{[citation needed]}

References

^Radin 1915,p. 301.
^"Structure of the Legion | Strategy & Tactics | the Roman Military".Archivedfrom the original on June 30, 2023.
^Campbell, Brian (2016-03-07),"primipilus",Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics,ISBN 978-0-19-938113-5,retrieved2023-10-05
^^a ^b ^c ^d ^eWebster, Graham (1998).The Roman Imperial Army of the First and Second Centuries A.D.University of Oklahoma Press.ISBN 978-080-613-000-2.
^Southern, Pat (2007).The Roman Army: A Social and Institutional History.Oxford University Press.ISBN 978-019-532-878-3.
^Southern, pp. 26–27.

Sources

Radin, Max(April 1915). "The Promotion of Centurions in Caesar's Army".The Classical Journal.10(7): 300–311.JSTOR 3287327.

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[FOOTNOTERadin1915301-1] Radin 1915,p. 301.

[2] "Structure of the Legion | Strategy & Tactics | the Roman Military".Archivedfrom the original on June 30, 2023.

[3] Campbell, Brian (2016-03-07),"primipilus",Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics,ISBN 978-0-19-938113-5,retrieved2023-10-05

[:0-4] Webster, Graham (1998).The Roman Imperial Army of the First and Second Centuries A.D.University of Oklahoma Press.ISBN 978-080-613-000-2.

[5] Southern, Pat (2007).The Roman Army: A Social and Institutional History.Oxford University Press.ISBN 978-019-532-878-3.

[6] Southern, pp. 26–27.

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