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.

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Types of Optio

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Types of Optio

Titles held by ''optiones'' included:

★ ''Optio ad carcerem'': chosen man on prison duty (incarceration).

★ ''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 (equus=horse).

★ ''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.

See also

Notes

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