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What is a Roman Centurion?

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  • čas přidán 12. 03. 2017
  • A detailed historical presentation about the famous Roman Centurions.
    note: I ment Primus Pilus, sorry for the mistake there ;)
    A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army after the Marian reforms of 107 BC. Most centurions commanded groups of centuries of around 80 men but senior centurions commanded cohorts or took senior staff roles in their legion. Centurions were also found in the Roman navy. Their symbol of office was the vine staff, with which they disciplined even Roman citizens protected from other forms of beating by the Porcian Laws.
    In the Roman infantry, centurions initially commanded a centuria or "century".
    Centurions seemed to receive a much higher rate of pay than the average legionary, twice as much or more. Veteran legionaries often worked as tenants of their former centurions.
    The vine-stick mentioned by Tacitus was called a vitis; it was a symbol of the centurion's authority and the implement with which he would mete out punishment.
    Evidence suggests that centurions had important social status and held powerful positions in society. They seem to have received their status according to their rank. On retirement they could be eligible for employment as Lictors.
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Komentáře • 827

  • @paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522

    Century
    100 men
    80 soldiers
    20 slaves
    Someone has to carry stuff

    • @miskakopperoinen8408
      @miskakopperoinen8408 Před 7 lety +40

      With the Marian reforms complete, the "someone" carrying the stuff are the soldiers themselves, plus a number of pack animals.

    • @paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522
      @paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522 Před 7 lety +3

      Soldiers couldent possibly carry everything

    • @miskakopperoinen8408
      @miskakopperoinen8408 Před 7 lety +22

      Hence, the aforementioned pack animals. Oxen, mules, donkeys and horses.

    • @frankneugebauer6455
      @frankneugebauer6455 Před 7 lety +10

      Actually, even after the marian reforms, a roman legion had more than 1000 calones. Not necessarily slaves. And they must have been on the payroll of a centuria. But this means nothing. Some cohorts had 11 centurions on their payrolls.

    • @oldschooljack3479
      @oldschooljack3479 Před 4 lety +5

      Roman legionaries carried most of their belongings in a pack on their back. Under Roman law, citizens of occupied countries could be commandeered to carry a soldier's pack for a mile (1000 steps) at which time the citizen was free to go...
      This is the origin of Christ's command "...if a man compels you to walk a mile with him, walk two."

  • @SldOnEmWithDa45
    @SldOnEmWithDa45 Před 6 lety +88

    The fact that you speak fluent Latin deserves a sub 😂

  • @laprune7077
    @laprune7077 Před 5 lety +70

    What a Roman Centurion ?
    A Roman Centurion INCREDIBILIS !!!!!

  • @Ryan-iz5pq
    @Ryan-iz5pq Před 7 lety +196

    Metatron why don't you become a history teacher? You would suit that role *PERFECTLY*.

    • @talknight2
      @talknight2 Před 7 lety +16

      Is this not a history lesson? :D

    • @antoniocolagreco1483
      @antoniocolagreco1483 Před 7 lety +22

      he would be better as tourism\education minister. Italy actually is in a condition worse than the one romans were living during their fall, well, the west civilization is decaying as a whole.
      He is literate, disciplined, he has passion, he is able to undestand and use new technologies.
      Metatron get into politics ffs, you can be a youtuber and a politician at the same time.
      Ppl need examples and good ones. We live in society where the only heroes are hollywood actors and singers. We live in a fake reality. West civilization realy needs an overdose of culture and discipline

    • @ahabtheplant
      @ahabtheplant Před 7 lety +10

      Antonio Colagreco The world needs Roman legionary discipline. I've noticed that veterans always seem to "have it together" in terms of taking care of themselves and those under their purview. Everyone should serve, just to learn proper daily discipline and the life skills that are no longer taught in U S schools.
      It would have done me some good, but I couldn't serve when I applied ( being female and nearsighted was a drawback in the 70s).

    • @Poldovico
      @Poldovico Před 7 lety +8

      Eeehhh... military discipline is fucked up, though supposedly getting better with time.
      Extrapolating backwards all the way to Rome is probably... unadvisable.

    • @leipezeeolifant1276
      @leipezeeolifant1276 Před 4 lety +1

      Id willingly take lessons from this hero

  • @truewill535
    @truewill535 Před 7 lety +549

    Must have sucked being a left handed Roman soldier.

    • @Astropeleki
      @Astropeleki Před 7 lety +75

      Mallorn Tree they would have simply learned how to fight with their right hand.

    • @huntertaylor4424
      @huntertaylor4424 Před 7 lety +64

      Mallorn Tree yeah it's really not difficult to learn to do things right handed if you're left handed. I learned to shoot with my right hand, use a bow with my right, write with my right hand when I broke my left arm and many other things. It just takes a little time and before you know it it feels unnatural to use some things with your recessive hand.

    • @ambrosiogiovanni6952
      @ambrosiogiovanni6952 Před 7 lety +9

      Not that much. Remeber that the shield was also used offensively, so it would not be that bad.

    • @Carltoncurtis1
      @Carltoncurtis1 Před 7 lety +23

      You can break young children out of their left hand dominance fairly easily with proper beatings. Any child currently going to a catholic school outside the US can attest to this.

    • @HouseholdDog
      @HouseholdDog Před 7 lety +5

      They simply decimated them.

  • @JustSomeGuy489
    @JustSomeGuy489 Před 6 lety +409

    i'm just here to say I N C R E D I B I L I S

  • @Focusyn
    @Focusyn Před 7 lety +218

    I expect nothing but the best from my centurions.

  • @Sheol02
    @Sheol02 Před 7 lety +375

    It's 2 AM in Italy and you're uploading now? Do you even sleep?

    • @elperronimo
      @elperronimo Před 7 lety +33

      he uploads it over night, smart one

    • @metatronyt
      @metatronyt  Před 7 lety +216

      Most of my views are from America I take that into consideration ;)

    • @TheMG26
      @TheMG26 Před 7 lety +22

      It's 2 AM in Germany, too. And I'm watching...

    • @Elmo914
      @Elmo914 Před 7 lety +3

      I love your videos!

    • @Sheol02
      @Sheol02 Před 7 lety +14

      Traditore. May the only pizza you'll ever eat will have pineapples on it.

  • @HladgerdKissinger
    @HladgerdKissinger Před 7 lety +2

    I really love the way you're being so light-hearted and fun in these videos! You make these videos way more jovial that way!

  • @DanQZ
    @DanQZ Před 7 lety +16

    "Question number two! Oh wait, this is five."
    LOL

  • @Emmanuel__
    @Emmanuel__ Před 5 lety +96

    I N C R E D I B I L E S !!

    • @incredebilis3067
      @incredebilis3067 Před 5 lety +7

      I came for this

    • @BerserkJess
      @BerserkJess Před 5 lety

      Manolo Russian we all did and I can’t leave until he gets a buff

    • @plxxyaa
      @plxxyaa Před 4 lety

      kayden janveaux dw it happened

  • @Traderjoe
    @Traderjoe Před 7 lety +105

    Can you talk about the footwear that the legions wore? I'm trying to imagine what could be worn to enable them to march for 50 miles. Would they wear this in all weather? What about winter time?

    • @eldorados_lost_searcher
      @eldorados_lost_searcher Před 7 lety +19

      traderjoes
      the standard footwear was the caligae (sorry if the spelling is wrong), the sandal that he was holding at the end of the video. The hobnails on the bottom were for increased durability and grip on unpaved ground.
      I can't attest to the comfort or long-term durability of them, but they seem to have been pretty good at the job they needed to do.
      Lloyd from Lindybeige did a video on historical footwear, if you want some more information on this.

    • @ArmouredProductions
      @ArmouredProductions Před 7 lety +22

      He's done this, In the previous video: "Samurai Armor VS Roman Armor" he goes over the Roman Caligae. And in another video, "Armour VS Weather - Hot, Cold, Windy, Rainy" he goes over what the Romans did for winter and such.

    • @jsbbd136
      @jsbbd136 Před 7 lety +18

      traderjoes I'm pretty sure they wore Nike Airs

  • @munderpool
    @munderpool Před 7 lety +4

    Great video! Continue with this series on Rome, please. The details are fascinating.

  • @ezyo1
    @ezyo1 Před 7 lety +3

    Man, this is some good stuff you're doing. I can't wait for the Praetorian review !

  • @SithLord2066
    @SithLord2066 Před 7 lety +59

    You didn't mention the other requirement for becoming a centurion: you had to be good at beating the shit out of your men with a stick and making them so scared of you, they would rather face any enemy than face your wrath.

    • @kvmairforce
      @kvmairforce Před rokem

      Most people have no idea about the extreme cruelty of the Roman legions. It worked for a while, but eventual it contributed to the Roman Empire collapse. Soldiers are the most important part of a society, when you don't treat them right, bad things happen... as seen throughout history and today.

  • @1984Phalanx
    @1984Phalanx Před 7 lety +88

    Have you ever seen the channel History Civilis? You two should do a collab. I've learned a great deal of interesting things from both your channels. My favourite video of his was the battle of Alesia.

  • @KnightofAges
    @KnightofAges Před 7 lety +1

    Note for those that will read ancient Roman texts: The centurion of the First Centuria, the 'Primus Pilus', was nicknamed 'Primipilus' at the time, and the contemporary authors will pretty much refer to them by that name. So bear that in mind while reading.

  • @MinecrafAssassin
    @MinecrafAssassin Před 7 lety +3

    Am I the only one who freaking loves his intro, like I could write a couple pages of why I enjoy his intros idk why XD

  • @bleutz
    @bleutz Před 7 lety +29

    Great post! Fellow Roman re-enactor here. Not many of us in the USA. Keep up the great work! Hail Nero!

    • @talknight2
      @talknight2 Před 7 lety

      Meriadoc Gunson your name is cool :D

    • @blablabla13344
      @blablabla13344 Před 7 lety +5

      Hail Caesar!

    • @bleutz
      @bleutz Před 7 lety +3

      We re-enact the 14th Legion right after Boudicca's revolt. There are two of us who portray second term soldiers (I am the Centurio and the other is the Optio). We always tell the youger trops" if you think Nero is bad you should have been in during Caligula's time!".

    • @TedBronson1918
      @TedBronson1918 Před 7 lety

      Bill Leutzinger - AVE ! I don't know if I buy into Caligula being so bad as he is portrayed. They made an immature boy Emperor and he acted in an immature way, bolstered by the authority of his position. In no way was he a saint, but his damnatio memoriae after his death could also be viewed as the nobility trying to cover up the shame and embarrassment of their own cooperation by condemning ANYTHING that even mentioned Caligula and destroying it. That means their own cooperation and misbehaviors were erased along with it ! Let's not also forget that damnatio memoriae was also a huge propaganda tool to the masses of Rome, and intended to fully destroy someone's reputation by wiping the records clean of their very existence and influence, and slurring what was remembered about them. Later generations heard ONLY the negative stories (many probably false or spun to be negative) and passed those down to us. After damnatio memoriae it would become treasonous to say something positive about that person unless the writing was heavily weighted to the negative. Let's also not forget they had to justify their murder of Caligula to a populace of commoners who liked him because of his father Germanicus, and probably weren't too fond of the Senate themselves.
      I'll only mention the lack of historical writings from the ancients about him. There is one complete one (in the book 'The Twelve Caesars' by Seutonius) with smatterings of mentions by other writers. That isn't much real information to work with when trying to analyze performance or behavior as Emperor. Look at the amount of information we have to judge earlier Emperors like Augustus and Tiberius with ! Or Julius Caesar himself !
      It pays to look at these things from the outside sometimes. Like Nero who was tolerated and even loved as Emperor by many Romans. He ruled for 14 years before the Legions revolted and he was abandoned to his fate. The negative really sells well, but it's best to keep in mind even the Emperors were human and all had positive and negative aspects about them.

  • @gso619
    @gso619 Před 7 lety +79

    Interesting, so it seems the roman army wasn't all that different from modern ones.
    "Sir, why do we call it a century if there's only 80 men? Why don't we come up with a new word?"
    "Because SHUT UP AND GET BACK IN LINE!"

    • @neutronalchemist3241
      @neutronalchemist3241 Před 7 lety +18

      "Cause there are three ways of doing things. The right one, the wrong one, and the way of the Legion. Here we follow the way of the legion. Now wear your armor and begin to run around the camp!"

    • @neurofiedyamato8763
      @neurofiedyamato8763 Před 7 lety +3

      yep just like modern militaries, stuck with using many old terminology.

    • @ilonasapel3072
      @ilonasapel3072 Před 7 lety +2

      Actually, the smallest unit consisted of 10 people.
      8 soldiers and 2 slaves.
      so the century was 80 soldiers and 20 slaves
      makes sense, right?

    • @TedBronson1918
      @TedBronson1918 Před 7 lety +1

      Neurofield - Too negative. Many things are kept because of tradition, familiarity and common use. Tradition has always been important in military forces.

    • @TedBronson1918
      @TedBronson1918 Před 7 lety

      Random - funniest comment I've seen today. It made me laugh.

  • @terminator572
    @terminator572 Před 7 lety +2

    I actually enjoy more the Roman themed videos of this channel. Keep it up.

  • @tiberiugeorgescu4459
    @tiberiugeorgescu4459 Před 7 lety +78

    Came here after watching the For Honor trailer of the Centurion

  • @DancerVeiled
    @DancerVeiled Před 7 lety +25

    Hrm, I heard that a century was 80 fighting men, and 20 support staff (thus actually 100, just not all soldiers). Thanks for clearing that up, Metatron.

    • @eisenkrieg553
      @eisenkrieg553 Před 7 lety +1

      DancerVeiled I thought that too, and it does make sense. Have your 80 combatants but remember that this was an ancient time and that you would need to have a portion of manpower reserved for other crucial functionary tasks. Men need to eat, they need to sleep and an Army is a system more than a weapon.

    • @breaden4381
      @breaden4381 Před 7 lety

      Didn't a century also have a scorpion or two?

    • @Riceball01
      @Riceball01 Před 7 lety +8

      As I understand it, everyone in a Legion fights, there were no non-combatants. All of the non-combatant roles that you find in a modern military were all done by legionnaires as secondary roles when they were in camp. If someone used to be a blacksmith before joining the legion then they would act as the legion blacksmith, if they were a leatherworker then that would be their secondary duty, and so on. The only exception to this would be a cook, to the best of my knowledge there was no dedicated cook, the men would always do their own cooking, with each 8 man tent section having their cooking set.

    • @TheAiurica
      @TheAiurica Před 7 lety +1

      Yeap, but each contubernia had a mule carrying a milling stone, the tent and a big coocking pot. This mule was part of the baggage train of the legion and need a mule driver. Centurion had his own personal servants, especially primipilarii. You do not expect a centurion to coock his own meal. They were the non-combatant part of the legion. :)

    • @TheAiurica
      @TheAiurica Před 6 lety +1

      Perry Martel ... yes, most of the baggage train was done away during marian reforms, but not completely. They still had a mule for each contubernia. And those mules were not driven alongside legionaries, but kept as baggage trains at the back of the legion. Mules which had to be driven and tender. Centurions also had a more ellaborate baggage train, as they could afford some servants and a bit of luxury even on the battlefield. This add some extra manpower to 80-men centuria. :)

  • @fredrikrylin2954
    @fredrikrylin2954 Před 6 lety +1

    Thanks for all your great videos, especially the ones concerning the early Roman Empire. I've been meaning for quite some time to request a video. The subject would be about Roman Intelligence(espionage) and it's
    operatives. Speculatores, Frumentarii, the Arcani and Curiosi are some of the names I've come across. I've read some about the how and the why, which is simillar to any Intellligence operation. But I want more.
    Best regards Fredrik Rylin.

  • @KairosSusurri
    @KairosSusurri Před 7 lety +1

    I only recently found and subscribed to your channel, and already you have risen to be among my favorites. Keep it coming my Italian friend.

  • @italuswikiano1191
    @italuswikiano1191 Před 7 lety

    Excellent! You've actually answered two questions that have been brewing in my mind for some time: 1) the immediate difference between the order of soldiers from the Republican times to the Marian reforms; and 2) what Vico meant when, while explaining the decline of Italian military valour in the latter Roman empire, he alluded to the fact that the Roman nobility lost all ambition to enroll and fight in the army. Regarding the second point, it appears that the loss of the military office of the "tribunus laticlavius" was a rupture in the old "Cursus honorum." It's really interesting how the break with this political tradition followed the dynasty of the Severans --- the Severans, whose family origins were Semitic from North Africa, had no love for Italians! ----, who gave global citizenship to all inhabitants of the Roman empire while turning Italy into just another Province in the Roman Imperial system. Fascinating! Gratias tibi ago ex corde!

  • @SwitchFeathers
    @SwitchFeathers Před 7 lety +1

    Loved the format of this video, Metatron, good stuff. Very slick and very informative! Loved it.

  • @vatothabeast
    @vatothabeast Před 7 lety

    Your videos have evolved very well. I liked the older videos but this is next level stuff, super engaging and informative. I've definitely gained a whole new respect for other content creators after I started make videos myself, staying up super late editing footage and writing scripts. I know these videos are no easy feat. Much respect, keep up the good work.

    • @metatronyt
      @metatronyt  Před 7 lety

      Thank you very much for that :)

    • @vatothabeast
      @vatothabeast Před 7 lety

      thank you sir for sharing your wealth of knowledge

  • @luka2298
    @luka2298 Před 7 lety

    Every time i see your videos i think to myself what a intelligent, holistic and interesting channel! I am so glad that you, Scall, Scolagladiatoria, Lindybeige and Shadiversity exist on youtube! What a fantastic company of knowledgeable young people with interests in essential values. Keep up the great work :)

  • @teaganbennett6608
    @teaganbennett6608 Před 2 lety +1

    Everytime I think of a centurion, all I hear in my mind is INCREDIBILIS!!!

  • @ThomasSchuuring
    @ThomasSchuuring Před 5 lety

    Metatron seriously you are amazing, i love the videos especially all the detailed information is very appreciated. I hope you make some kinda money doing this. Don't stop doing it.

  • @bangladanglawtf
    @bangladanglawtf Před 7 lety

    great video :) it has awesome energy, cool editing and was funny. not to mention interesting and knowledgeable, but that's a given in all of your work. thank you!

  • @ramezhamarneh4608
    @ramezhamarneh4608 Před 7 lety

    Great video!! you are one of my favourite channels, keep up the amazing work.

  • @johnkelley9877
    @johnkelley9877 Před 6 lety

    I learned a lot form this tutorial. For instance I did not know a Centurion was like a modern day Captain. Thans for sharing this and I really like the closing theme.

  • @drml91
    @drml91 Před 7 lety +41

    How different was the centurion armor from the rest of the legion?

    • @justyode8226
      @justyode8226 Před 7 lety +5

      Very. Do you want an example? this is a centurion: gyazo.com/752eb559ceb441167cfd878ebddd449f

    • @matthijsvancampen7901
      @matthijsvancampen7901 Před 7 lety +1

      Meriadoc Gunson they had more of those medals on their belt and more decorated tunics right?

    • @xinfinity8532
      @xinfinity8532 Před 7 lety +1

      How about the preturion guard

    • @xinfinity8532
      @xinfinity8532 Před 7 lety

      Anyone

    • @Riceball01
      @Riceball01 Před 7 lety

      They may have worn flashier and nicer armor but they were otherwise likely dressed no differently from the regular legions.

  • @Dejawolfs
    @Dejawolfs Před 7 lety

    so nice to hear someone properly spell cæsar and centurion, instead of modern day english sizar and senturion.

  • @ShadowMk3
    @ShadowMk3 Před 7 lety

    Watched this one a bit late. You are so enthusiastic about all of this, it's awesome :) Good job!

  • @roberti1343
    @roberti1343 Před 5 lety +2

    INCREDIBILIS!

  • @merlin1464
    @merlin1464 Před 7 lety

    I was just trying to figure out what a centurion is and after you heroic information came out of no where. Centurion is my second favorite warrior right behind a samurai

  • @MaxSluiman
    @MaxSluiman Před 5 lety

    From a fellow Roman fanboy: thanks for the video!
    And finally someone who pronounces Latin in a 'correct' way. And some decent knowledge of war history. Like a cold breeze on a hot summer night.

  • @yourlocalheathen8419
    @yourlocalheathen8419 Před 3 lety

    Why did you have to show us Caligula at the end? I just recently discovered your channel and I absolutely love these historical videos. They are amazing.

  • @balemaryela
    @balemaryela Před 7 lety

    Ok, my patreon pledge is in! My goal is to donate each time I see you post a video with full English subtitles, so far that is one video so one donation. Hope this helps! xoxo

  • @TheJavaMonkey
    @TheJavaMonkey Před 7 lety +1

    Yes! Always love the Roman history videos.

  • @Loxley81
    @Loxley81 Před 7 lety

    Man, I love your videos !
    The intro and outro music is so damn catchy !
    Greetings from Germany ! :)

  • @Oscarhobbit
    @Oscarhobbit Před 3 lety +1

    Hi Melation,
    I am watching you from Northern Ireland, in the UK.
    Do you have a video about the equipment that a centurion carried? In a lot of depictions of centurions they are wearing lorica hamata. Is this correct and if so would they not have been better protected in lorica segmentata like to legionary's under their charge? Also, what were the medals displayed on the chest of centurions? Were these metals badges of rank, or were they awarded for valour? Lastly, in the mini- series Barbarian there were shots of Roman soldiers wearing a coloured feather at each side of their helmet, was this another rank in the Roman Army?
    I read early modern history and American c19 history at university. I have become intrested in Roman history of late through your channel. Keep up the great content noble one!

  • @pepperspray7386
    @pepperspray7386 Před 7 lety +1

    I love your content, even if your intros come right out of a 1980's glamour shot.

  • @noobkaka567
    @noobkaka567 Před 7 lety +4

    Can you make a folklore series based on Scandinavian spirits / the unnatural / gods etc etc (Of Scandinavia) ? That would be pretty cool after you are done with Japan series.

  • @mathiashelseth8488
    @mathiashelseth8488 Před 7 lety

    It was to my belief that the centuries were called centuries because they consisted of 80+20 men. 80 Legionaries and 20 slaves/helpers to cook, set-up tent, wash clothing etc
    apologies for my english.
    Love your videos.

  • @Themonist
    @Themonist Před 7 lety

    I loved the good vibe on this video. And the actual info of course, very informative. ;)

  • @davidbriggs264
    @davidbriggs264 Před 7 lety +1

    The Science-Fiction Writer Harry Turtledove wrote a couple of series about a nation called Videssos, the first of which was called a Legion for Videssos. This was a portion of a Roman Legion sent on a semi-independent mission during Caesars expedition against Gaul. Could you talk a bit about the possible organization of that detachment.

  • @shaan4308
    @shaan4308 Před 7 lety

    Can you videos on cataphractii and clibanarii, their differences, usage, roles, usefulness, comparison with contemporary heavy cavalry and medieval knights, evolution and decline, etc.
    Also can you do videos on:
    1) The roman legion and military doctrine and how it changed thru the 1st to the 4th century AD.
    2) Founding and organization of the different legions, the regions they were based in and why, vexillations, mascots, etc.
    3) The military reforms of Diocletian. Comparison between the roman soldiers pre and post the reforms of Diocletian.

  • @maxjones503
    @maxjones503 Před 7 lety

    I like how you have different intro pictures to match the subject, like if its samurai vs Romans you will have a picture of you in each set of armour, if it's just romans like here you'd just have that one.

  • @StormsRider
    @StormsRider Před 7 lety

    Grazie!
    Senza questo video non mi sarei mai reso conto di quanto fossi interessato alla faccenda, né quindi mi sarei premurato di dare un'occhiata su Wikipedia al riguardo.
    So qualcosa in più grazie a te, quindi... thanks dude!

  • @mamneo2
    @mamneo2 Před 7 lety

    Hello Rafael, it's nice to meet you again. Just wanted to tell you that I have been constantly watching your videos since you posted the one talking about Matpat from Game Theory, it's great since I could find your channel. Well, until next video!

    • @metatronyt
      @metatronyt  Před 7 lety

      Thank you very much for watching!

  • @vanders4198
    @vanders4198 Před 7 lety +1

    5:35 That graceful spin.

  • @dillonhowells8007
    @dillonhowells8007 Před 7 lety

    A fascinating piece of history Metatron.

  • @gabriellatsinogloy9665
    @gabriellatsinogloy9665 Před 7 lety +2

    good job metatron,greetings from Greece!!!Make a video about samurai ranks it would be rather interesting

  • @constpegasus
    @constpegasus Před 7 lety +1

    Another great topic and video. Your work is great Metatron.

  • @foxhoundr3364
    @foxhoundr3364 Před 7 lety

    I would say at century level the Australian/British equivalent would be a company.The ranks equivalent is as follows. Lowest to highest. Decanus- Corporal (section commander)Tesserarius- Sergeant (company orderly sergeant)Signifer -Sergeant (company pay SGT)Optio- Captain/Warrant Officer class 2 (Company 2IC/Company sergeant major)Centurion- Major/Warrant officer class 2 (Company OC)

  • @henoch44
    @henoch44 Před 7 lety +64

    In U.S. Army Centurion sounds like someone to fill role of platoon Sergeant or First Sergeant.

    • @armynurseboy
      @armynurseboy Před 7 lety +27

      Centurion is more like a Company Commander, thus a Captain. The Optio was more like the First Sergeant.

    • @justyode8226
      @justyode8226 Před 7 lety +5

      no. Centurion is more of a captain. he has sub units such as a Optio which would a be a lieutenant and a tesserarius / signifer being sergeants etc. @ Henoch44

    • @henoch44
      @henoch44 Před 7 lety +6

      Company is from 150 to 350 men, also, fist sergeant is in charge of company. We are talking enlisted here since description of centurions is about size, strength and performance in combat to be most important. (reading and writing) These are characteristics of Non Commissioned Officers and not brass. NCOs lead men from the front and they work for living.

    • @justyode8226
      @justyode8226 Před 7 lety +6

      It's closer than a Platoon. And it's clear that a Centurion is an officer. He holds life and death power over the men. The Romans have ranks that act as NCO's. Do you want to explain them all to you as you seem to take a interest in military units. @ Henoch44

    • @justyode8226
      @justyode8226 Před 7 lety +4

      You damn legend. you commented that as I was typing mine. Nice. @Armynurse. Have to disagree, though. Optio is not like first sergeant he does the same job as the centurion just from behind. His deputy commander the tesserarius is basically a sergeant. And the signifier is also basically a Sergeant. And in realistic terms the Dacanus is exactly a Corporal. Leading a Squad or as us brits say 'Section'

  • @fyamada9332
    @fyamada9332 Před 3 lety +1

    Me who is a centurion in a Roman game:
    *"WRITE THAT DOWN, WRITE THAT DOWN"*

  • @apeman7478
    @apeman7478 Před 7 lety

    Nice video as always Raff, greetings

  • @martinkominek4421
    @martinkominek4421 Před 3 lety

    LoL :D :D :D The joke with the roman numbers at the beginning of the video...I´ve almost fell of my chair :D :D :D Good job, Metatron!

  • @pablo1079
    @pablo1079 Před 7 lety

    Another great and informative video!!!!

  • @macvena
    @macvena Před 3 lety

    A centurion is equivalent to the commander of a large platoon. Cohorts were akin to contemporary fire teams that comprised squads in the platoon.
    The Romans went from relying on a militia based forced led by an educated gentleman ( politician, influential gentry, or honored seasoned warrior) to a professional standing force led by professional military commander.

  • @princessarlimel8461
    @princessarlimel8461 Před 7 lety +1

    Metatron, you're content is great, as always--but I do have a slight correction. The Manipular legions did have centuries-- each maniple of hastati and principies (don't know about triarri) had two centuries (of 60 men) and each had a centurion, with the senior of the two commanding a maniple.

  • @eduardoschultzschultzrio5750

    Thanks U for another great video, over Roman History.

  • @seleniapendragon9467
    @seleniapendragon9467 Před 7 lety

    Thanks for the video! I'm always confused which ones the centurions are, when I'm on the battlefield, but now it's clear!

  • @sim.frischh9781
    @sim.frischh9781 Před 7 lety

    Metatron, i noticed it in earlier vids, but especially clear in this one: your background. Or lack thereoff.
    Please, consider getting a neutral background, with your themes, a wooden wall like Shad uses it probably serves you best.
    And get a warmer light, you look sick and unhealthy with your one-sided, cold light.
    I´m nowhere a professional camera technician, but i worked in photo retail and thus have a good eye on such details.
    Those "complains" aside, i like what you do, keep up the good work.

  • @zoukatron
    @zoukatron Před 7 lety +1

    Metatron, I would like to suggest using a lighter coloured backdrop. Not necessarily white, but lighter. You wear a lot of dark colours and you can appear to be just a floating head. This is a bit more of an issue when you wear your glorious black samurai armour. Just a suggestion. Keep up the good work.

  • @greggapowell67
    @greggapowell67 Před 2 lety

    Wonderful history. Thank you.

  • @RC1191217
    @RC1191217 Před 7 lety

    First-rate job! I know they are considered only a paramilitary organization, but have you considered doing a video on the VIGILES? After all, they might be considered the first real professional police and firefighters in existence. Keep up the good work!

  • @blablabla13344
    @blablabla13344 Před 7 lety

    Great vid as always. Can you do a video about Alexander and his army (equipment, strategy etc)?

  • @mattparks954
    @mattparks954 Před 7 lety +4

    Talk about Pre Smaurai Japan please. No one else really talks about them.

  • @MinniMaster
    @MinniMaster Před 7 lety +1

    "Now, you can easily spot a Centurion."
    You know... in the 21st Century.
    I jest, I jest. This was a good video.

    • @braniacc
      @braniacc Před 4 lety

      Give Arizona some time.

  • @FarEastSurvival
    @FarEastSurvival Před 7 lety

    Informative and entertaining again. I wonder however if running this channel is preventing you from doing something greater with your life. This is not a criticism but rather a compliment to what I believe you can achieve so as you want to

  • @shano262
    @shano262 Před 7 lety

    Thankyou mate! Very informative and interesting i enjoyed learning from you

  • @elgemin
    @elgemin Před 7 lety

    I thumbs up and subscribed.
    I thought I was pretty knowledgeable regarding Roman Centurions, but I hadn't realised they wore their swords on the other side, or that the primus pilum would have been quite that old.
    I guess it would be useful to have a front-line soldier with that much experience on your council.

  • @cluckcluck6494
    @cluckcluck6494 Před 5 lety

    Legatus: Flavius, you’ve been promoted from Optio to Centurion
    Flavius: YAY!
    Legatus: Now you go to the front of the century
    Flavius: Oh shit!

  • @PieterBreda
    @PieterBreda Před 7 lety

    My dad was a a centurion but he died in combat two years before I was born. But he was a a real hardcase. ;-)

    • @hazzmati
      @hazzmati Před 7 lety

      Pieter Did he die at Cannae?

  • @nathanransom8325
    @nathanransom8325 Před 7 lety

    Insightful. Love it.

  • @randelldarky3920
    @randelldarky3920 Před 6 lety +1

    I wear My Gladius on My left and My 5" S&W 44 on My right

  • @SiriusMined
    @SiriusMined Před 7 lety

    Good video. Especially good to hear someone speak Latin that doesn't do it in with an English accent (British or American or Canadian) .
    What was that small unit composted of 8 men called? And was it run by a decturion?

  • @TheRealSpicke
    @TheRealSpicke Před 7 lety

    just on Sunday i made my own thought about the modern rank and unit equality of a legion :) Most difficult question was if the centurio was a captain or a lieutenant, but i also came to the conclusion that he would more be like a captain. A cohors would be a battalion (lead by a lieutenant colonel) and a legion would be a brigade commanded by a Briadier.

  • @primrosehill24
    @primrosehill24 Před 6 lety

    +Metatron, what about Auxiliary units? Now obviously this is such a general question (like most of the ones you are asked) but as I understand it, Auxiliaries made up a very large proportion of the Roman army, especially after the Marian reforms. So what was their command structure? Did a Auxiliary Centurion or Optio hold rank over a legionary? Where did they fit into the command structure compared to other officers? What even was the composition of these units? Over time and location I know they varied hugely, but is it true at times they were almost exactly the same as cohorts just not roman citizens?
    I don't think I've seen a video on Auxiliaries, apologies if one exists. Keep up the great work...Roma Victor!

  • @greggapowell67
    @greggapowell67 Před 2 lety

    Aside from Edward Gibbon's pre-eminent work "The Decline and fall off the Roman Empire", and Mary Beard's " SPQR"... What other relatively contemporary historical records of Roman history would you suggest? BTW... Your work is also truly exceptional. Incorporating spoken Latin into your work is fascinating and just wonderful. Please continue these videos.

    • @mortache
      @mortache Před rokem

      Edward Gibbon is honestly worse than Sigmund Freud and Aristotle in how terrible of an effect his work has had. He's responsible for the myth that Rome fell in 476AD, but no one even in the middle ages thought Roman Empire was gone. Even the Ottomans had some claims to be called the Roman Empire, though that claim dwindled as time passed

  • @TheGhOsTeRnEx
    @TheGhOsTeRnEx Před 3 lety

    hold up. According to my knowldedge, the maniple-system was introduced into the roman army during the samnite-wars (343-290 b.c.) so well within the republican period. Before this system was introduced, the romans used to fight in a greek like phalanx. The changes in army organisation and infantry tactics were made to adjust to the hilly and difficult country of samnium. The roman maniples were nicknamed a "phalanx with joints" due to the increased flexibility the individual maniples provided over a single-lined phalanx.

  • @emperorconstantine1.361
    @emperorconstantine1.361 Před 5 lety +1

    Thank you for saying “BC and AD” instead of the ‘ce and bce ‘ bullshit.

  • @davejacobsen3014
    @davejacobsen3014 Před 5 lety

    From my experience in joining the Marines I think most modern Americans misunderstand the conditioning levels of the average recruit into Roman Army. I grew up being in sports, wrestling, football and Track plus being a farmer. I found Marine Bootcamp reactively easy physically. The psychology challenges were difficult but the marching, running and physical demands weren’t that bad. By the time I reached Infantry Training Regiment I could run 20 miles full pack rifle, equipment and finish the day in good shape. That was 1967-75.

  • @justyode8226
    @justyode8226 Před 7 lety +6

    Do all roman ranks please.

  • @msf47
    @msf47 Před 6 lety +1

    Love your videos

  • @wicked5312
    @wicked5312 Před 4 lety +4

    I love For Honor's Centurion I would definitely Be a Cent in rome times

  • @seankrug4995
    @seankrug4995 Před 2 lety +1

    Metatron,
    Love your videos. I am writing a fictional novel about the Roman-Cimbrian war 114-101 BC. I need to learn more about the ranks of armies of the Roman republic. Can you share more about the ranks of the Roman armies that were Pre-Marian reforms? Also, how was the transition of the existing army into the cohort styled army? Do you have a video about this already? Thanks!

    • @greggapowell67
      @greggapowell67 Před 2 lety +1

      Have you read "Marius's Mules"... Great Roman fiction

  • @alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723

    Ah, the officer within the most famous & powerful nation of Antiquity! :D Hm, the way you describe them is that of a sergeant or corporal,
    My thanks for posting this video, it was very informative, as always all the best
    Sei un bravo ragazzo, ti amo, fratello!

  • @EdwardZia
    @EdwardZia Před 5 lety

    I love your videos! BIG FAN :)

  • @zrusit9640
    @zrusit9640 Před 6 lety

    Even before Marius did some of his "reforms" Tiberius or Gaius Gracchus did some reform that dictated that state is paying for legionaries equipment.

  • @willh2373
    @willh2373 Před 7 lety +1

    Sick channel I watch all these vids thanks

  • @thetechlibrarian
    @thetechlibrarian Před 3 lety

    What great branding from American Express. How cool is a centurion.

  • @anfelvainwitstond143
    @anfelvainwitstond143 Před 6 lety

    That was a badass intro

  • @UnitedJupiter91
    @UnitedJupiter91 Před 7 lety

    Just a quick thought. I think the legionaries wear the sword on their right so that they can draw as the throw their pila. Think about it, the heavy pila would be thrown just a few meters before contact. If the soldiers can use their other hand to draw at the same time, or at least pull it just halfway, it could speed up how quickly they draw. I can't think of another reason because it would just be too awkward to draw with the right hand on the right side of the hip.

    • @LyYdDd
      @LyYdDd Před 7 lety

      UnitedJupiter I remember metatron mentioning in a previous video it's because drawing from same side is easier to draw in tight formation, and the belt holds down the sheath to enable doing so.