Optio

Profile description

Optio is the second most important person immediately after the Centvrio. Polybius describes him as the commander of the rear guard, where he takes a position from which he can see the entire state of the unit and control its actions when the Centvrio is not able to do so. This position was intended to prepare him for the future full assumption of the Centvrio’s duties in the event of his incapacity or death.

Tasks and duties

Optio supports the Centvrio in all decisions affecting the functioning of the unit in the following areas:

organisation and transport training and tactics discipline management of human resources and Legion equipment Day and night inspections:

Correctness of completed construction work Together with the Tesserarivs and Specvlatores, he establishes the security measures and the defence plan of the camp in the event of natural disasters or an unexpected attack (see the duties of the Tesserarivs in the field of security) Whether the guards perform their duties in the proper and expected manner, and he enforces punishments in the event of a lack of commitment. He assigns and directs men to work wherever additional hands are needed, whether in the kitchen, transport work, construction work, guard duty, and so on. He conducts additional training if he considers it appropriate, when soldiers show deficiencies or discipline has become too lax.

Duties during battles and demonstrations

Optio has varied tasks depending on the type of demonstration being conducted. During drill and combat training, most of the Principales take position outside the unit for presentation purposes. He supports the Centvrio by standing next to the operating unit, always opposite the Centvrio on the other side, and by repeating the commands issued by him in a loud voice so that all training milites can hear the order despite interference such as background music or ongoing narration. He moves extensively together with the group of soldiers, catching all irregularities and correcting them, whether by drawing attention to them, issuing an additional command, or using force or physical punishment without shying away from brutality.

During simulated clashes and battles, all commanders and Principales take active part in them as the main core of the fighting Centvria, around which the soldiers gather and adopt the appropriate formation. Optio, as commander of the rear guard, moves during intense fighting along the rear ranks of the Centvria, performing the following actions:

he encourages the soldiers to fight, supports their morale, and motivates them to act he ensures that the formation remains coherent and does not break apart during the course of the battle, reminding the fighters where their place is and that they must fill gaps in the formation he indicates the men who are to pull the wounded man to the rear for treatment in the event of the Centvrio’s death, he assumes command by moving to his position and continuing the fight; from that moment on, the scope of duties presented in the description of the Centvrio’s function during battle applies to him. in the event of danger, he selects available soldiers and directs them to a given section of the fighting if the need or necessity arises, he may personally join the fight (for example, in the event of a threat of losing the sacred standards) as during combat drill, so too on the battlefield he repeats the orders of the Centvrio, enforcing and ensuring the execution of their provisions

Daily running of the camp

Before dusk, Optio, together with the Tesserarivs, inspects the soldiers’ tents, looking for any breaches of discipline, order, and organisation. Throughout the entire day they carefully observe the behaviour of the legionaries, watching for the disobedient and troublesome ones, to whom he will assign punitive work or guard duties at the evening assembly. If all Contvbernia perform their duties exemplary and there are no visible shortcomings, a contest is held for the best-kept tent in the Legion in terms of hygiene, order, and preparation of equipment, taking care not to appoint men who have recently performed guard duties.

Staff meetings

Optio takes active part in all councils, reports, and briefings. He has a strong mandate and the right to influence decisions made within the group in every aspect, from the typical organisation of the day in the Legion to a military tribunal over the disobedient. Together with the Centvrio, he receives accounts and reports from functionaries and Decanvsi, on the basis of which they issue orders and instructions to be carried out.