Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Centurio

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

CENTU'RIO (ἑκατοντάρχης). A centurion; an officer in the Roman army, of lower rank than the tribunes, by whom he was appointed. His post on the field of battle was immediately in front of the eagle (Veget. Mil. ii. 8.); and the distinguishing badge of his rank was a rod (vitis), with which he used to correct his men when refractory or negligent of their duties. (Plin. H. N. xiv. 3.) The illustrations (Centurio/1.1) present the figures of two centurions, the one on the left-hand of the reader, from a sepulchral bas-relief, with the inscription QUINTUS PUBLIUS FESTUS. CENTUR. LEG. XI.; he has his rod in the right hand, is likewise decorated with phalerae, and wears greaves (ocreae), as the Roman soldiers did in early times; the other shows a centurion of the age of Trajan, from a bas-relief formerly belonging to the triumphal arch of that emperor, but now inserted in the arch of Constantine; he has his helmet on, the rod in his right hand, and in the original composition the bearer of the eagle (aquilifer) stands by his side.

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  Centurio/1.1