Position of the Centurion

[Boyar Son]

Well I was wondering, why were the centurions placed in a dangerous position? (Other then leading the troops)

They could be singled out and hit by a javilin or killed by ten barbarians that saw him alone. I know he's next to his troops but still in a dangerous position.

Any comments?

[Zaknafien]

centurions were picked for their loyalty and bravery, they were expected to lead by example and cow less-resolute men into standing in formation. most centurions, promoted from the rankers, required 15-20 years service to be promoted in this way. the ranks of centurions were certainly not equal, and there were lesser and greater degrees depending on cohort and century he was posted to. I do not think of them being in any greater danger than any other man in the century when battle was joined, perhaps less-so because of the better equipment they would possess.

[Boyar Son]

But I dont think that equipment and experiance would stem the tide of hundreds of barbarian charging at him. The Romans made him too important to lose with the requirement of 15-20 years of experiance so I dont know how they could easily replace him.

[Zaknafien]

centurions did in fact have a high mortality rate, but we dont have evidence saying they were specifically targeted this was more likely the result of personal heroism on their part I think. targeting of officers was not a widely used tactic in ancient warfare, you know.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

I would have to dissagree with my emminant coleague here slightly, Above all a Centurian was expected to be reliable and diciplined, personnal heroism, whilst desirable had to be secondary to these concerns. Centurians were not nessessarily in the front rank. In fact I would have thought the second rank a more likely position, as psychologically he would be able to push his men foward because his voice would come from behind them.

[Zaknafien]

well I agree somewhat with that, but it was the optio's position to keep the century moving forward, the centurion was more of a combatant commander akin to a platoon leader or first sergeant in today's terms i believe. Part of the criteria for selection centurions was their 'hardness' and willingness to fight to the death. their casualty rates exceeeded that of other officers because they were the 'front line leaders'. The centurion I think would obviously stand beside the standard bearer, the symbol of the century and the icon by which the men knew where to stand and for what to fight. it would make sense to me, then, that this would be up front, where men could see it and 'be inspired' by it and him.