Optio
An
Optio (from the
Latin verb
optare, 'to choose', because an Optio was chosen by his
Centurion) was a soldier in the
Roman army who held a position similar to that of a
non-commissioned officer in modern armies. The main function of an Optio was as an
Optio centuriae, the second-in-command of a
centuria (century), although there were many other positions an Optio could hold.
An Optio would use a small wooden staff to keep the legionaries in line. Their helmets sometimes had black and white plumes so they could be distinguished among the soldiers. Optios often carried wax tablets on which they kept the orders of the day.
Optios were vital units in the late Roman army, as casualties were often high among Centurions due to their position at the front of the century, which made them easy targets. An Optio was stationed at the back of the ranks to keep the troops in order. They were often in charge of guard duty, and would decide passwords and make sure the soldiers watched their posts.
Optio pay was double the standard legionary pay and they were the most likely men to be promoted after a death of a centurion.
Titles held by
optiones included:
Optio ad carcerem: chosen man on prison duty.
Optio ad spem ordinis:
optio being groomed for promotion to the rank of centurion.
Optio candidatus:
optio being groomed for promotion to the rank of centurion.
Optio carceris: soldier in charge of the prison cells.
Optio centuriae: 'chosen man of the
centuria'; second-in-command and rear rank officer of a
centuria; classed as a
duplicarius, a soldier receiving double basic pay; he carried a
hastile (wooden staff).
Optio centurionis: 'chosen man of the centurion'; same as
optio centuriae.
Optio custodiarum: soldier in charge of guard posts.
Optio draconarius: 'chosen man among the dragon bearers', a late Roman senior standard bearer.
Optio equitum:
optio in the legionary or
Praetorian cavalry.
Optio fabricae: soldier in charge of a workshop.
Optio navaliorum: soldier in charge of boats.
Optio praetorii: soldier attached to headquarters.
Optio principalis:
optio who held supervisory rank (
principales from the
2nd century onwards); not all who had the title of
optio held this status.
Optio speculatorum:
optio in the elite cavalry bodyguards.
Optio spei:
optio being groomed for promotion to the rank of centurion.
Optio statorum:
optio of military police.
Optio tribuni: assistant to a
tribune.
Optio valetudinarii: orderly in charge of a hospital.
