The Roman army was one of the most formidable fighting forces in the ancient world, and at the heart of its organization were the centurions. These experienced soldiers were responsible for leading the individual units that made up a Roman legion, and among them, the most prestigious and elite was the Primus Pilus (Latin for "first spear" or "first javelin"). The name is derived from the Roman Pilum, which was a long javelin weapon.
The Role and Responsibilities of the Roman Primus Pilus
The Primus Pilus, as the senior centurion of the first cohort (the legion's most elite unit), was one of the most important and prestigious positions within the Roman army.
The responsibilities of the Primus Pilus were varied and extensive.
In battle, the Primus Pilus led from the front, often fighting alongside their soldiers. They were responsible for ensuring that the first cohort was in the right position on the battlefield, and for coordinating with the other centurions to make sure that the legion as a whole was fighting effectively. The Primus Pilus was also responsible for leading the legion in the charge, and was expected to be the first to engage the enemy.
In addition to leading the first century in battle, the Primus Pilus was responsible for overseeing the training and discipline of the soldiers under their command. They also acted as a liaison between the legion's commander and the other centurions, relaying orders and ensuring that they were carried out effectively.
Additionally, the Primus Pilus also played a key role in maintaining the morale and cohesion of the first cohort, and was expected to set an example for the soldiers to follow.
Leading the Elite: Commanding the First Cohort
The first cohort was made up of the best and most experienced soldiers in the legion, and was typically composed of 800 men. It was considered the elite of the elite, and the soldiers were typically better equipped and trained than the rest of the legion.
Being part of the first cohort was considered a great honor, and soldiers who were selected for the unit were highly respected. The Primus Pilus was also considered a leader of great prestige and was respected by other centurions and the legion's commanders.
A Liaison Between Commanders and Centurions
As mentioned earlier, one of the key responsibilities of the Roman Primus Pilus was acting as a liaison between the legion's commander and the other centurions. This meant that the Primus Pilus was responsible for relaying orders from the commander to the other centurions, and ensuring that they were carried out effectively.
This role was crucial in ensuring that the legion was able to respond quickly and effectively to changing conditions on the battlefield.
As the senior centurion of the first cohort, the Primus Pilus often had direct access to the legion commander, and was able to communicate important information about the battlefield back to the commander. This could include information about enemy movements, the status of the first cohort, and any other important information that the commander needed to know in order to make decisions.
The Primus Pilus also served as a liaison between the other centurions and the commander, helping to ensure that the centurions were all on the same page and that they were able to coordinate their efforts effectively; something which is especially important during an intense and constantly-shifting battle.
In addition to relaying orders, the Primus Pilus also had to make sure that the other centurions understood the commander's intent, and that they were able to execute orders effectively. This required the Primus Pilus to have a deep understanding of the commander's battle plans, and to be able to explain them to the other centurions in a clear and concise manner.
There was no point having the best equipped soldiers if there was confusion over the tactics.
The Path to becoming a Primus Pilus: Training and Advancement
Becoming a Roman Primus Pilus was not an easy task; it required a combination of skill, experience, and dedication.
The first step in the journey was, unsurprisingly, enlistment in the Roman army. New recruits would undergo basic training and would be assigned to a legion. Once a recruit completed basic training, they would then be assigned to a century within a cohort and begin their journey as a common soldier.
Of course, over the centuries which spanned the Roman empire, not only did rules get relaxed, bent and broken, but family relationships, favors, monetary bribes etc all meant that an individual could often go straight into a fairly high-ranking position within the Roman army, without having to work up the ranks from the very lowest rung.
For those who did have to work their way up, common soldiers would have to prove themselves through their performance and conduct on and off the battlefield. They would have to demonstrate their leadership skills, military proficiency, and courage in combat. This would typically involve participating in several campaigns and battles before being considered for promotion to the rank of centurion.
Once a soldier was promoted to the rank of centurion, they would then have to prove themselves again by demonstrating their ability to lead and command troops effectively. This could involve leading a century in battle, training new recruits, and mentoring junior centurions.
After demonstrating their leadership skills, experienced centurions would then be considered for promotion to the rank of Primus Pilus. This was a highly selective process and only the most experienced and capable centurions would be chosen for the role.
The 4th Century AD writer Vegetius (Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus) shows us in his “De re militari” that the path to promotion and advancement within the Roman army structure was often long and involved many steps:
A soldier, as he advances in rank, proceeds as it were by rotation through the different degrees of the several cohorts in such a manner that one who is promoted passes from the first cohort to the tenth, and returns again regularly through all the others with a continual increase of rank and pay to the first.
_Vegetius, De Re Militari
Despite the path to becoming a Primus Pilus being both long and challenging, those who were able to rise through the ranks and earn the title were, as mentioned earlier, considered among the most skilled and respected soldiers in the Roman army. This meant that, despite the difficulties, it was a rank which many Roman soldiers wished to one day achieve.
Once reached, they would not be in the position for long, as officially the post could only be held for one year... assuming that they did not die in battle first, which was highly probable. A small number of men did hold the position for a second time, however, in two different legions.
The Legacy of the Roman Primus Pilus in Modern Military Structure
The legacy of the Roman Primus Pilus can still be seen in modern military structure. Indeed, the position of a senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) in modern armies has its roots in the Roman Primus Pilus.
One of the main similarities between the Roman Primus Pilus and modern senior NCOs is their role as leaders of the enlisted soldiers. The Primus Pilus was responsible for leading the first century of the first cohort, and modern senior NCOs are responsible for leading the enlisted soldiers in their unit.
Another similarity is their role as a liaison between the commanders and the enlisted soldiers. The Primus Pilus acted as a liaison between the legion commander and the other centurions, relaying orders and ensuring they were carried out effectively. Similarly, modern senior NCOs act as a liaison between the officers and the enlisted soldiers in much the same way.
The role of senior NCOs in modern militaries also includes responsibilities such as training and mentoring junior soldiers, enforcing discipline and maintaining unit cohesion, as well as managing logistics, equipment and administration. As we have read, these were all responsibilities that the Roman Primus Pilus also had to deal with too.
Along with the similar responsibilities, the legacy of the Roman Primus Pilus can also be seen in the modern military ranks. The rank of sergeant major, the highest enlisted rank in the modern military, is derived from the Latin word "centuriae magister" which means "master of the century". This rank is similar to the Roman Primus Pilus, who was the senior centurion of the first century of the first cohort.
Legions of Rome: The Definitive History of Every Imperial Roman Legion
by Stephen Dando-Collins
Featuring more than 150 maps, photographs, diagrams and battle plans, Legions of Rome is an essential read for ancient history enthusiasts, military history experts and general readers alike.