Contubernium

• The Contubernium (Tent group) was the smallest division of the Roman Legion and consisted of 8 men commanded by the Decanus.

The Legionary Structure

• Legio: (Legion)
  • 10 Cohorts each with 480 men, totalling 4,800 men. (excluding officers) plus one Cavalry Unit of 120 men. Commanded by a Legatus Legionis or a Legatus Augusti pro praetor.
• Cohors: (Cohort)
  • 6 Centuries of 80 men, totalling 480 men (excluding officers) commanded by a senior Centurion.
• Centuria: (Century)
  • There were 10 Contubernium of 8-10 men, totalling 80-100 men, commanded by the Centurion.
• Contubernium: (Tent group)
  • Smallest division of the Legion, consisting of 8 men.
  • These 8 men were commanded by a Decanus.

• Vexillatio:
  • This varied in size from a centuria of 80 men, then increasing up to two Cohorts of 1,000 men.
  • This was a temporary unit, but consisting of a formally constituted Force, taken from the Legion.
  • it was commanded either by a military Tribune or a senior Centurion.