Praefectus Castrorum

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The Praefectus Castrorum (lat. Camp superior ) was the third highest officer of the legion and led a legion lying in the camp when the Legatus and Tribunus Laticlavius should be absent. He was basically the head of administration of the Legion and made sure that all regular activities ran smoothly. In contrast, he had no command function in battle. In the camp, barracks , guards, hospital and workshops were under his supervision. He was also responsible for the gun park and for training the gun crews. In this function he was also responsible for the custos armorum . The Praefectus Castrorum was also available to the Legatus as a planner and rode on the march with the vanguard of a legion and in the evening looked with his assistants for a suitable place to build the marchers. He was also the most important point of contact for food purchases from the civilian population and other soldiers' equipment.

As a rule, the Praefectus Castrorum had risen from the career of the centurions , where he had last held the rank of primus pilus , i.e. H. even non-aristocratic soldiers could fill this post.

literature

  • Marcus Junkelmann : The Legions of Augustus. The Roman soldier in the archaeological experiment. 9th edition. Zabern, Mainz 2003. ISBN 3-8053-0886-8
  • Ross Cowan; Angus McBride: Roman Legionaries: Republic (58 BC - 68 AD) and Empire (161 - 284 AD). German Ed., Siegler, Königswinter 2007. ISBN 978-3-87748-658-0 , p. 10.