Position of the Centurion

[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.