- Choose a name and number for your Legion (consult history books if
authenticity is a concern).
- Create a Legion banner (Signum).
- Attend at least 20 medieval events annually.
- Own and wear torso armor.
- Submit Legion’s attendance to Dominus or the Quaestor in writing
at every battle for records.
A Legion is commanded by
a Tribune, Legate, Count
or Duke. His second in command is the
Primus Pilus. This office should be filled by either a Centurion or the
highest ranking officer available. The remaining three I shall refer to
generically as Legionaries. In a crack legion, all three may be
Centurions. However, for our purposes here they shall be termed
Legionaries. It is the responsibility of these Legionaries to keep up with
their Commander. It is the Primus Pilus' responsibility to see to it that
the Legionaries do remain with their Commander. It is the Legion
Commander's responsibility to see to it that the Legion's task or military
objective is accomplished. Whether this consists of building a fort wall,
scouting, guarding, or leading a complex feint (fake-out) against an enemy
flank, it is the commander's responsibility to see that it is
accomplished.
Since no Roman begins as either a
Senator or a Centurion, an Auxiliary who acquires citizenship and brings
in four other citizens will have to form a Legion temporarily under a
Senator or Centurion.
If a Legion fails to keep at least
four active members on its rosters for a period of eight consecutive weeks
the Legion will lose its active status. The Legion number will be retired
until the Legion commander can reform his Legion. The Legion commander
retains full rights to his Legion number, and may give permission for
another Legion commander to take up his old Legion number. Also, all
honors and awards will remain with the Legion in question.
Romans do not play
dirty with each other, so we’ve established a certain Legion building
etiquette. For instance, it’s considered proper form to fill your position
before requesting a transfer from a Legion. Moreover, if a Senator is
recruiting his friends into an existing Legion, he or she should request
permission from his commander immediately if he intends to branch off into
a Legion of his own. Expansion is good; we don’t back-stab our countrymen.
If you can recruit but feel too inexperienced for a command position, get
with a Centurion and form a Legion under him. If you don't have the time
or experience, you won't be effective. Make a deal with someone who does
have the time and experience. Either command or be second-in-command of
the Legion you have assembled. But if you do help someone else rise to
command, don't bide your time until you feel inspired to displace them.
Poor treatment of your commander dishonors Rome. If you are unhappy in a
Legion, arrange (with your Commander's permission) for a transfer. You may
be able to arrange a trade between Legions that will satisfy both
Commanders. Lastly, Rome will NOT be a nice, comfortable place to assemble
your own unit as a Legion before breaking off on your own. So make your
decisions. This structure is designed to maintain Rome's strength and
provide us a militaristic image to intimidate our opponents. Don't take
advantage of it. That weakens Rome and incurs the displeasure of the
Imperator.
On the other hand - if you want to start
your own fighting unit independently of Rome, we welcome allies. We'll be
happy to lend you any advice or assistance we can provide.
Go
back to chart.