Cohorts
One cohort consisting of six centuriae equalling 480 legionaires
To finish up the legion, the six centuriae made one cohort* while ten cohorts made only one legion. One cohort would total up to 480 legionaires. Like what was said earlier, the first cohort was double meaning in the first cohort, there was a total of 800 men instead. However, in one centuriae, there were 100 legionaires since "centur-"* means 100 in Latin. But the numbers eventaully dropped to 80 instead. So depending on how many legionaires there were in one centuria, determined how many men there were in one cohort.
Since ten cohorts made up one legion, each cohort were made up of different types of legionaires. An supposedly, each cohort had their own "reputation".
Cohort I: As mentioned before, made up of powerful legionaires and the commander (centurion) of the centuria was named Primus Pilus. Considered to be most respected.
Cohort II: One of the four weak cohorts. This cohort was made up of weaker or the newest troops.
Cohort III: This cohort didn't really have a special "reputation". Just another fighting unit.
Cohort IV: Another one of the four weak cohorts. No exact special "reputation" either.
Cohort V: Considered to have the worst reputation ever but the also didn't have a special designation. Just a fighting unit.
Cohort VI: This cohort was nicknamed "The Finest of the Young Men". Given by the title, you can tell that these were young legionaires that were the best at fighting among themselves.
Cohort VII: The third of four weak cohorts. Most legionaires in training or the raw recruits were found here. So hopefully, you don't join the Roman army right before a war!
Cohort VIII: Not much can be found out as to why it was nicknamed "The Selected Troops".
Cohort IX: The final weak cohort and another place for those legionaires in training and the raw recruits.
Cohort X: Obviously the well trained troops hence it's name "The Good Troops. Also, the final cohort.
As you can see, each cohort had their own reputation in a sense. But when it was time for battle, each of the cohorts had to be lined up in certain lines:
Since ten cohorts made up one legion, each cohort were made up of different types of legionaires. An supposedly, each cohort had their own "reputation".
Cohort I: As mentioned before, made up of powerful legionaires and the commander (centurion) of the centuria was named Primus Pilus. Considered to be most respected.
Cohort II: One of the four weak cohorts. This cohort was made up of weaker or the newest troops.
Cohort III: This cohort didn't really have a special "reputation". Just another fighting unit.
Cohort IV: Another one of the four weak cohorts. No exact special "reputation" either.
Cohort V: Considered to have the worst reputation ever but the also didn't have a special designation. Just a fighting unit.
Cohort VI: This cohort was nicknamed "The Finest of the Young Men". Given by the title, you can tell that these were young legionaires that were the best at fighting among themselves.
Cohort VII: The third of four weak cohorts. Most legionaires in training or the raw recruits were found here. So hopefully, you don't join the Roman army right before a war!
Cohort VIII: Not much can be found out as to why it was nicknamed "The Selected Troops".
Cohort IX: The final weak cohort and another place for those legionaires in training and the raw recruits.
Cohort X: Obviously the well trained troops hence it's name "The Good Troops. Also, the final cohort.
As you can see, each cohort had their own reputation in a sense. But when it was time for battle, each of the cohorts had to be lined up in certain lines:
Lining Up the Cohorts for War:
How the cohorts lined up
As you can see, the cohorts were lined up from right to left starting with the first cohort on the far right and ending with the fifth cohort on the left. Then in the second row, you'd find the sixth cohort directly behind the first cohort and ending with the tenth cohort behind the fifth cohort. From a birds-eye view again, you can see that there would be five columns, two rows with seven columns and two rows in the far back where the Ferentarii* and Triarii* are (although, Ferentarii and Triarii existed in the earlier Roman army). And to add to it, cavalry* by the first and fifth cohort. And each legion had 120 man Alae* and they were called Eques Legionis. The cavalry wasn't just used for fighting but used as helping on the battlefield or as messengers.
This lining up of the cohorts seems small but imagine having 120 men on horseback, 5,120 men total from the ten cohorts and the officers of the legion. All together, 5,300 men including officers were fighting on the battle field as ONE LEGION. Think about having the other nineteen or twenty legions along with just this one legion. It's obvious that anyone would run from an army as big as them!
This lining up of the cohorts seems small but imagine having 120 men on horseback, 5,120 men total from the ten cohorts and the officers of the legion. All together, 5,300 men including officers were fighting on the battle field as ONE LEGION. Think about having the other nineteen or twenty legions along with just this one legion. It's obvious that anyone would run from an army as big as them!
Vocabulary:
Cohort: Made up of six centuriae. Ten of these cohorts make a legion
Centur--: 100 in Latin
Ferentarii: Light Troops
Triarii: Reserves (Veterans basically)
Cavalry: Men on horseback
Alae: Roman cavalry men. The cavalry groups were called Eques Legionis
Cohort: Made up of six centuriae. Ten of these cohorts make a legion
Centur--: 100 in Latin
Ferentarii: Light Troops
Triarii: Reserves (Veterans basically)
Cavalry: Men on horseback
Alae: Roman cavalry men. The cavalry groups were called Eques Legionis