Optio

Profile description

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

Tasks and duties

1. 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
2. DayInspections by day and nightby inspections:night:
   • Correctnessthe correctness of completed construction workworks
   • Togethertogether with the Tesserarivs and Specvlatores,Specvlatores, he establishes the security measures and thea defence plan offor the camp in the event of natural disasters or an unexpected attackattack; (see the duties of the Tesserarivs inconcerning the field of security)security
   • Whetherwhether the guards perform their duties in the properrequired and expected manner, and he enforces punishments in the event of ainsufficient lack of commitment.commitment
   • Hehe assigns and directs men to worktasks whereverwhere additional handsmanpower areis needed, whether in the kitchen, transport work, construction work, guard duty, and so on.on
3. He conducts additional training if he considers it appropriate, when the soldiers show deficiencies or discipline has become too lax.

Duties during battles and demonstrationsdisplays

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

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

• he encouragesurges the soldiers on to fight, supports their morale,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 formationline
• he indicates the men who are to pulldrag the wounded man to the rear for treatment
• in the event of the Centvrio’Centvrio's death, he assumes command by moving to his position and continuing the fight; from that moment on,onward, the scope of duties presented in the description of the Centvrio’Centvrio's function during battle applies to him.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 fightfighting, (for example,example in the event of a threat of losingto the sacred standards)standards
• as during combat drill, so too on the battlefield he repeats the ordersCentvrio's of the Centvrio,orders, enforcing and ensuring the execution of their provisions

Daily running of the camp

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

Staff meetings

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

For discussion and development

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