Gaius Octavius Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 During the Late Republic and Early Empire, I am under the impression that there were six military tribunes to a legion and ten cohorts to the legion. If a tribune commanded a cohort, who commanded the other four? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primus Pilus Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 During the Late Republic and Early Empire, I am under the impression that there were six military tribunes to a legion and ten cohorts to the legion. If a tribune commanded a cohort, who commanded the other four? Unfortunately, the details of such command is both sketchy and often contradictory. A tribune could command a cohort and likely did so often, but it could also be left to the command of the Pilus Prior (the leading centurion of each cohort, save the first, which was led by the Primus Pilus). A tribune could act as both a general staff officer and a direct commander depending on circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furt Posted March 9, 2007 Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 (edited) I have searched the internet for such an answer myself. It appears the tribune was an adhoc commander when needed, but played more of an administrative role. They probably assisted in pre battle planning and possibly acted as messengers on the field. Edited March 9, 2007 by Furt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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