Decurion (military)

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A decurion was a cavalry officer in command of a troop or turma of thirty soldiers in the army of the Roman Empire. A Decurion was also in the first century AD a commander of a decuria, an eight-man group sleeping in the same tent.

There were 120 cavalry in an Ala (auxiliary cohort) of a legion. There were four decurions, each commanding thirty men.

In the infantry, the rank carried less prestige — a 'decurion' only led a squad called a contubernium or "tent group" of eight men — but they were still allowed to carry a pugio or dagger as a sign of their rank.

Decurion (military)

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