Primus Pilus

Primus pilus (Latin primus " first ", and pilus "from the maniple of Triarier ") was the most senior centurion of a Roman legion, who led the first Centurie and the first cohort. It was also an outstanding ceremony, which was associated with considerable material privileges and was usually awarded only for the last year of service.

Function

As the most senior leaders of the other nine cohorts was the Primus Pilus a pilus prior and had thus in command of the first Centurie and cohort. As the most senior centurion, he was also Speaker of the centurions, and took part in the deliberations of the bar of the legate. He was responsible for the protection of the legion eagle. Usually just earned men were promoted to the position of a pilus from among the Triarier or more rarely from among the Principes for Primus pilus. They received the ten to thirty times the pay of a legionary A simple Primus pilus, which reached a second term, received the title of Primus pilus up, all those who had exercised the function were performed under the title Primipilaris.

This extremely prestigious position, which also requires a minimum age of 50 years, was a centurion - if at all - usually only last year reach pre- service dismissal. Through a dismissal premium of approximately half a million sesterces a Primus pilus after it had a good chance to rise to knighthood and to take important positions in the ( provincial ) government. After the first century there are examples of the rise of a Primus pilus to the camp prefect or tribune. The son of primus pilus also has good chance to make the Legion as a senior centurion or in the management career. In relation to other pili and legate, and the tribunes of the Primus pilus took the fourth highest position: