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Centvrio

Centvrio

Profile description

Centvrio is the most important soldier and, at the same time, the commander of the unit known as a Centvria. Chosen from among the most distinguished and bravest men, he serves as a field commander fighting in the front line, inspiring the soldiers under his command, indicating the direction of attack, and personally taking part in combat.

Centvriones were distinguished by a transverse cresta, that is, a plume of feathers of various colors. Due to their high pay, ranging from two to five times the pay of an ordinary miles, and sometimes even more depending on their position in the Legion, they were also marked by richer equipment and by the insignia and decorations they wore.

The high mortality rate among Centvriones made this a high-risk position, but also one of exceptional prestige. In the event of the death of the Centvrio, command was assumed by the commander of the rear guard, namely the Optio, and if he too fell, the unit was taken over by the Centvrio of a neighboring unit from the same maniple.

Tasks and duties

Centvrio is responsible for the overall functioning of his unit during preparations for a campaign, throughout camp life, and on the battlefield. His duties include the proper allocation of roles, organization of work, supervision of the camp’s condition, creation of military action plans, and ongoing command of the soldiers under him.

Officer and functional assignments

Before each campaign, Centvrio determines which specific soldiers will assemble under the legionary standards. On this basis, he organizes the command structure, tent assignments, and the staffing of the most important functions within and outside the camp.

  1. Before each campaign, he determines which specific soldiers will assemble under the legionary standards.
  2. In the absence of regular officers and non-commissioned officers, he appoints soldiers at his own discretion to the following posts:
  3. He places the appointed officers and non-commissioned officers in the staff tent.
  4. From among the remaining soldiers, he selects the most experienced to serve as senior rank-and-file soldiers responsible for a tent, namely Decanvsi.
  5. In consultation with the Decanvsi appointed for the duration of the campaign, he assigns specific soldiers to their tents.
  6. Guided by his knowledge of the training of the registered soldiers, he also appoints other important functional posts, such as:
  7. Priority for the above functions is given to soldiers who hold them permanently and have the greatest experience in them.

Attention!!! Every effort should be made to ensure that the persons concerned can be informed of all the above assignments before the event.

Attention!!! Some positions may be combined. In particular, there is no objection to Decanvsi also performing other functional roles. However, roles and tasks in the camp must be divided in such a way that the selected soldiers are not overburdened with an excessive number of duties.

On the battlefield, Centvrio decides on:

  1. Dividing the unit into smaller parts and assigning temporary commanders to selected sections of the front.
  2. Calling a council of war, namely Consillivm, during which he discusses the battle plan, appoints temporary commanders, and defines the actions they are to undertake.
  3. Drafting the tactical battle plan for the entire Legion, based on intelligence information.

In the camp, Centvrio:

  1. Ensures the proper allocation of human resources to tasks necessary for the functioning of the Castrvm.
  2. Upon seeing shortcomings or problems, immediately orders the necessary actions to be carried out by the appropriate cell specializing in the selected work.
  3. Rebukes the lazy, motivates the discouraged, and rewards the diligent.
  4. Ensures that every day in the Praetorivm there is a written list of tasks to be completed that day by the functional personnel, who later mark them as completed.
  5. Ensures that, upon returning to the staff tent, he has immediate insight into the status of completed assignments and executed orders.

Assigning missions to the Specvlatores:

  1. Scouting and reconnaissance of the area in terms of threats from the local population.
  2. Spreading propaganda.
  3. Assessing the enemy’s numbers and weaknesses, as well as obtaining information from prisoners by various methods.
  4. Reconnoitering the marching route, if a march is to take place on that day, and removing obstacles.

Additional activities:

  1. He has the right to organize simulated incidents in order to make soldiers alert to threats and to develop an appropriate response to them.
  2. He has the right to order a march, raid, reconnaissance, and other military actions in consultation with the Tribvnvs.

Full cooperation with Optio

Because of the broad range of duties that Centvrio has in and outside the camp, he appoints his direct deputy in the person of the Optio. His task is to be fully engaged in service on the assumption that at any moment he may have to become Centvrio himself and effectively replace him in the full scope of his duties.

  1. He agrees with Optio on the division of his own duties in order to improve command.
  2. He ensures, where possible, that they exchange various tasks with one another every day, so that Optio gains experience across many areas of activity.
  3. He shares with him all information on the condition of the camp and all reports received from soldiers.
  4. He expects the same from Optio, especially if the deputy receives reports during the absence of Centvrio from the staff or the camp.

Attention!!! Cooperation between Centvrio and Optio must be complete and continuous, so that command can be smoothly taken over at any moment without loss of control over the situation.

Camp construction

The scope of Centvrio’s duties with regard to camp construction still requires full elaboration. It should be assumed, however, that he is responsible for supervising the entire organization of work and for the proper distribution of tasks among functional personnel and ordinary soldiers.

Creating battle and demonstration plans

Centvrio, as the commander-in-chief of the unit, bears full responsibility for the course of the battle. At the council of war, he agrees with the remaining Principales and Decanvsi on the tactical outline of military operations, assignments to designated units, and their temporary commanders.
On the basis of intelligence data from the Specvlatores, he has a full situational and terrain picture, which he should use in every possible way to the army’s advantage.

  1. He is responsible for preparing the tactical plan of military operations.
  2. In consultation with the command staff, he determines the deployment of forces, assignments, and the manner in which the assumed objectives are to be achieved.
  3. He uses intelligence information to assess the terrain, the enemy, and possible threats.
  4. He bears responsibility for the success or failure of the actions, which are then subject to the assessment of the Tribvnvs.

Daily running of the camp

Centvrio is responsible for the ongoing functioning of the camp, the organization of work, receiving reports, and directing the activities of functional personnel. His duties include both planning and supervising the execution of assigned tasks.

Staff meetings

Centvrio organizes a briefing around 8:00, after warm-up and a visit to the latrine, but before breakfast and washing. The briefing takes place in the Praetorivm tent. 
All functional personnel report to the Praetorivm immediately after assembly, warm-up, and a visit to the latrine, in order to submit to the commanders a report on the personnel status of the people under them, completed work, and comments regarding further tasks. If the activities require the presence of Decanvsi, selected members from among them are also summoned.

  1. He receives a report from Centvrio Castrorvm on the camp’s readiness in terms of:
    • cleanliness;
    • stability of living quarters;
    • condition of the fortifications;
    • preparation of the camp and the men for emergency situations, for example natural disasters;
    • his own comments concerning work necessary to secure the functioning of the camp.
  2. The office of Centvrio cooperates with Medicvs in order to know the current status of soldiers capable and incapable of combat, demonstrations, marching, or other duties.
  3. He assigns field missions for the Specvlatores unit for the given day, as well as other tasks arising from the current situation.
Receiving reports

One of the basic duties of Centvrio is to receive regular reports from functional personnel and to maintain a complete picture of the situation in the camp.

  1. He receives a report from Cvstos Castrorvm on the camp’s readiness for inspection in terms of cleanliness.
  2. He cooperates with Medicvs in order to know the current status of soldiers capable and incapable of combat, demonstrations, and marching out of the camp.
  3. He analyzes reports submitted by other functional personnel and, on their basis, issues further orders.

Attention!!! Centvrio should constantly strive to ensure that no significant problem in the camp remains without a report, a decision, and the appointment of a person responsible for solving it.

For discussion and development

Determine whether councils and briefings should be treated as the same thing or as two separate types of staff meetings.

Define precisely who is required to attend such briefings, in particular whether all functional personnel should always participate, including Frvmentarivs and Specvlatores, or whether some of them should be informed individually of their tasks.

Complete the full scope of Centvrio’s duties during camp construction and specify in greater detail the procedure for daily reporting.

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