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During the period of the republic, the commander-in-chief of the army was usually the consul. The army led by one consul was at least 2 legions. In particularly difficult times for the state, the consul could receive dictatorial power for six months, with the right to appoint a deputy with the title of cavalry commander (magister equitum). At that time, only and exclusively, all the armies of Rome were concentrated in his hands.
The commander-in-chief was distinguished from other officers by his outfit. He had a red cloak (paludamentum). He was accompanied by lictors with a bundle of rods and axes, as well as bodyguards (cohors pretoria).
He was assisted by legates (legati), 6 military tribunes (tribuni militi) and military prefects who together formed the military staff. The chief of the legates was personally selected from among the most eminent senators. Each of them commanded one legion, however, in exceptional situations, such as the death or illness of the commander, they took command in place of the commander-in-chief. Then they commanded the entire army (legati pro praetore).
The military tribunes, in turn, were partly elected to the Tribe Assembly, and like legates by the commander, but with the difference that he appointed them from among the distinguished centurions. The tribunes took command in pairs alternately, every other day one pair commanded the legion while the others served with the commander-in-chief.
Military prefects headed special troops, originally from the Italian allies (praefectus sociorum), and later auxiliary troops provided by the allied countries (praefectus auxiliorum). They could also perform the following functions: praefectus fabrum (management of craftsmen) or praefectus alarum (direction of cavalry).
The aforementioned centurions formed the non-commissioned officer corps. Each maniple was headed by two centurions, one in charge of the right centuria (prior) and the other of the left centuria (posterior). The centurion of the right manipule commanded the entire manipulator, while the centurion of the first manipulator in the cohort commanded the entire cohort. Centurions were distinguished by scale armour (sometimes silver-plated and richly decorated) or chain mail, transverse kite (horsehair or feathers) on helmet (crista transversa) and the rod (virga) with which he administered flogging. The cavalry equivalent of a centurion was the decurion.
As a result of Marius’s reforms, centurions were no longer elected, as they became career officers. Their importance grew even under Caesar, when they actually commanded the troops, while the tribunes, young and inexperienced, though nominally their superiors, held staff functions. During the imperial era, the legion had 59 centurions, 5 in the first cohort and 54 in the others. Those in cohorts two through ten were equal in rank, differing only in the number of years of service. Above them were the senior centurions (primi ordines), each of whom commanded twice the size of the first cohort’s centuria. Such organization of the first cohort has been done since the time of Caesar because he mentions a senior centurion commanding a double century. Caesar often wrote about primi ordines. Caesar’s respect for his centurions is evidenced by many remarks about their courage and exemplary leadership. A centurion’s rank was marked by a crosswise comb or “staff” sometimes used for corporal punishment.
Subordinated to the centurions were the lower non-commissioned officers (principes), as well as the centurion’s deputies (optiones), standard-bearers (signifieri), buglers (tubicines) and longer-serving soldiers (veterani). At the decurion was a man called curator, probably the next senior in each turmae, and responsible for the horses and their grooming. Officers and non-commissioned officers differed in both armament, dress and insignia.
All officers could only come from aristocratic families, while any soldier who distinguished himself in battle could become a centurion. There were 59 centurions in one legion, with the commander of the first centuria (primipilus) being the most important.
The Consilium, or council of war, was always convened by the commander of the legion (he also chaired it). In addition to the commander of the legion, six military tribunes and the same number of centurions of the first cohort (primorum ordinum centuriones) participated in it.
Questor dealt with treasury matters, whose tasks included: the distribution of loot, payment of salary, and taking care of the adequate supply of food to the army.
Roman army ranks
Miles classicus
Roman War Soldier Naval Fleet.
Miles gregarius
Literally “common soldier” of the legion. When he joined the army, he committed himself to serve for 20 years (in Caesar’s time – 16 years).
Signifer
The Signifer was the most common ensign of the Roman legions. It carried signum, i.e. a military banner with the emblem of a given cohort or century.