The backbone of the Roman legion was indisputably the Centurion. These were the best of the veterans of the army, they who had proven their mettle and honor through conspicuous valor over decades of campaigning in proud service. They committed their life to the legion.

Julius Caesar remarked he could easily stand the loss of (higher ranking) Tribunes from the Roman aristocracy, but the loss of a single Centurion was felt as a tremor throughout the legion. Centurions gained wide-spread reputations and army commanders would pay handsomely to have the best of them attached to their own legions.

Carpe Diem!