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| Decimus Corvius Licinus |
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Basic Centurio Details:
A centurion (Latin: centurio; Greek)
was a professional officer of the Roman army after the Marian reforms of 107 BC. Most centurions commanded 83 men despite the commonly assumed 100, but senior centurions commanded cohorts, or took senior staff roles in their legion.
In the Roman infantry, centurions initially commanded a centuria or "century", which means company or tribe[1]. Centuries, or Centuriae, developed from the Roman Tribal system under the Servian reforms and could contain anywhere
from 80 to 100 men. This became 100, at full strength, under the Marian reforms. Later, generals and Caesars further manipulated
these numbers with double and half-strength units. Gaius Julius Caesar, for instance, made the first century double strength.
During the Imperial era Centurions gradually rose in seniority in their cohort, commanding centuries with
higher precedence, until commanding the senior century and therefore the whole cohort. The very best centurions were then
promoted to become centurions in the First Cohort, called Primi Ordines, commanding one of the ten centuries and also taking on a staff role. The most senior centurion of the legion was the
Primus Pilus who commanded the first century. All centurions, however senior, had their own allocated century.
Many write comparisons between the Centurion and modern ranks. This leads to many incorrect assumptions. Centurions
could be elected, appointed by the Senate, or promoted to the rank for a variety of reasons. Gaius Julius Caesar is said to
have promoted his for displays of valor. Other historians cite examples of them being the first over the enemies wall or through
the breach. If this case were strictly so, then there would be a lack of centurions in peacetime garrisons, which is where
the Roman Army mostly spent its time[3]. It is generally accepted that they "did rise from the ranks"[5] therefore comparisons with modern Non-Commissioned Officers, First-Sergeants and Sergeant Majors, can easily be made.
Centurions often suffered heavy casualties in battle, generally fighting alongside the legionaries they commanded. They usually led from the front, occupying a position at the front right of the century formation.
They led and inspired their men by example. They also sought to display the skill and courage that may have gotten them to
their rank in the first place. It is for these reasons that they often suffered a disproportionate number of casualties.
Being held personally responsible for the training and discipline of the legionaries under their command,
centurions had a well deserved reputation for dealing out harsh punishment.
Expectations at Lafe:
At Castra Lafe, The Centurions are the working officers who run the event. They
will liaison with the event staff on real world issues, scenario issues, as well as serving as the commanders of their units.
LAFE 2011 Centurio:
I am Decimus Corvius Licinus, Pilus Prior of Legio II Augusta, COH X
My name is Sean Hirst. In my real world life
I'm a Creative Director with an advertising agency in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I'm married to Jackie and have two young boys,
Collin, 12, and Theo 10. Along with historical reenacting I also enjoy singing and playing in a Celtic band and following
English soccer fairly religiously. I've been a reeactor in various time periods now for almost 20 years, starting in the War
of 1812 time period. I started as a ranker in a British Light Infantry unit before moving up through the ranks to become the
unit Sergeant and commander. I next moved to the French and Indian War and was a founding member of the Compagnie Franche
de la Marine - Compagnie de la Portneuf. Again, I started as a ranker but then as the unit grew I moved to Corporal and then
to Company Lieutenant and Battle Field commander. This past year, 2010, I was chosen to be the Marine Brigade Commander at
Fort Niagara and will hold this post for two years with command of anywhere up to 200 marines under my leadership. In 2005
most of my F&I unit decided to form a roman unit and we chose Legio II Augusta as our unit. I was chosen to be the Optio
of the unit with our Centurio being Armand LaPointe but in 2008 Armand chose to step down from this position due to
his "slowing down." He is, after all, 70 years old. I was promoted to Centurio. The rest is history... it just hasn't happen
yet.
Legion Organization and Contact Info
I am the Field Commander of Legio II Augusta, COH X. We formed our
unit in 2004 and fielded for our first event in 2005. Armand LaPointe, our Praefectus Castrorum was originally our Centurio
but he decided to step away from field command in favour of a younger unit member. I moved from Optio to Centurio and Jim
Lennon was promoted to Optio. All of members have been reenactors in various time periods for at least 10 plus years so this
brings a depth of knowledge to our unit. Outside of battlefield command we don't really have a unit leader, our unit was formed
from a group of friends and this has kept our internal unit structure easily managed. We discuss things as a unit and make
decisions as a unit.
Phone… 519-945-0591
Roman Persona
I joined the Legion in Gades, in the 7th
year of Tiberius, AD 21. There wasn't really much of a choice for me being the 5th son of a middling merchant. The army was
the only true escape from what would have essentially been a life of poverty. I was quickly shipped off to Gaul where my legion
was involved in putting down a revolt led by Sacrovir and Florus. I hear my likeness is on a Triumphal Arch in Orange now.
The Legion was moved again to the walls along the Germanic frontier. It shifted between long stretches of quiet time and intense
small group actions and around ten years later I received a promotion to Tessararius and then shortly thereafter to Optio.
After five years as Optio I was promoted to Centurio. I'd like to think it was through gallantry and bravery on my part but
I can't help but think the sudden death of my Centurio during a raid into Germania didn't have something to do with it. At
least it was me that brought the Cohort home in one piece.
A great deal of my time as Centurio has been spent in administrative
boredom so the advance into Britannia has been nothing short of brilliant. The opportunity to lead in conquest, to lead an
army in what is meant to do has been good. A lot of my compatriots complain about the dank cold and dark of this land of grey
and green but I love it. I can see being comfortable hear. Now we just have to convince the locals that this would be a comfortable
situation for them. Rome has a way of convincing the locals.
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