THE ROMAN ARMY AT THE TIME OF BOUDICCA (BOADICEA) AD60

                           CENTURION                      LEGIONARY

CENTURION The Centurion wore a transverse plumed helmet and a splendid red cloak. His battle honours (“phalarae“) and other silver discs bearing images of gods were worn on a leather harness over his armour. He had iron greaves that protected his shins and heavy leather sandals. He carried a gnarled vine stick, with which he beat slow or unruly soldiers into discipline!

He commanded a “Century” which consisted of 80 Legionaries (not 100 as you might think) and had the sort of reputation for ruthless discipline that a modern army sergeant major has today. His pay was more than 16 times that of a legionary at about 5,000 silver denarii a year.

Within the Century, the Centurion was assisted by an “Optio” (his second-in-command), a “Custos Armorum” (who took care of armour and equipment) and a “Tesserarius” (who had an administration role). 

LEGIONARY Each Legionary was heavily armed. He carried a short fat stabbing sword, (“gladius”) which was used with lethal effect in the close-quarters fighting at which the Romans excelled. He wore this on the right side and could twist the scabbard housing and draw it with his right hand while steadying his shield with the other. On his left hip, he wore a shorter dagger, (“pugio”), which could be used if his sword failed. He also carried a light javelin (“pilum”) that he could throw around 30 metres and a heavier one that travelled around 15 metres.

Every Legionary wore body armour (“lorica segmentata”) which consisted of overlapping hinged plates of iron, laced and buckled back and front with leather straps. Each iron helmet (“galea”) had a brow ridge to deflect downward blows, cheek plates and a wide brim at the neck.

A large wooden oblong shield (“scutum“), with a metal boss in the middle, stopped missiles, protected against sword slashes and acted as a battering ram.

LEGION A Legion (of about 5000 men) was divided into ten Cohorts and each Cohort was divided into six Centuries.

STANDARD BEARERS  

 A typical Legion had at least sixty standards carried by standard bearers of which there were three types:-

1. Signifer who wore a bear skin head-dress and carried the Century‘s Standard (“Signum”) which was topped either by an ornamental spearhead or an upraised hand. The shaft was heavily decorated with a cross piece and from two to six large discs.

2. Imaginifer who carried a silver statue of the emperor.

3. Aquilifer who was the chief standard bearer of the legion and carried the gold (or sometimes silver) eagle, the badge of Rome .

Standard bearers also had another job which shows they were men of honour - they looked after the soldiers’ savings.

The Legion was the ancient world’s most formidable military machine. About 10,000 Roman soldiers defeated Boudicca’s army of around 200,000 warriors, probably at Paulerspury near Towcester (less than 50 miles away from Hambleden!)