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An ''optio'' (plural ''optiones''; , from ''optāre'', "to choose", because an ''optio'' was chosen by his centurion), sometimes anglicized option (though rarely, to avoid confusion with "option"), was a soldier in the Roman army who held a position similar to that of a company's executive officer in modern armies. The optio seems to have held a rank roughly equivalent to that of a modern lieutenant, reflective of his status as the second in command of the century in which he served. The main function of an ''optio'' was as an ''optio centuriae'', the second-in-command of a century, although there were many other positions an ''optio'' could hold. ''Optiones'' were vital units in the Roman army. An ''optio'' was stationed at the rear of the ranks to keep the troops in order. Their duties would include enforcing the orders of the centurion, taking over the centurion's command in battle should the need arise, supervising his subordinates, and a variety of administration duties. ''Optio'' pay was double the standard legionary pay and they were the most likely men to replace the centurion if the position became vacant. ==Types of ''optio''== Titles held by ''optiones'' included: *''Optio ad carcerem'': chosen man on prison duty (incarceration). *''Optio ad spem ordinis'': ''optio'' being groomed for promotion to the rank of centurion. *''Optio candidatus'': ''optio'' being groomed or marked out for promotion to the rank of centurion. *''Optio carceris'': soldier in charge of the prison cells. *''Optio centuriae'': 'chosen man of the ''centuria; second-in-command and rear rank officer of a ''centuria''; classed as a ''duplicarius'', a soldier receiving double basic pay; he carried a ''hastile'' (wooden staff). *''Optio centurionis'': 'chosen man of the centurion'; same as ''optio centuriae''. *''Optio custodiarum'': soldier in charge of guard posts. *''Optio draconarius'': 'chosen man among the dragon bearers', a late Roman senior standard bearer. *''Optio equitum'': ''optio'' in the legionary or Praetorian cavalry (equus=horse). *''Optio fabricae'': soldier in charge of a workshop. *''Optio navaliorum'': soldier in charge of boats. *''Optio praetorii'': soldier attached to headquarters. *''Optio principalis'': ''optio'' who held supervisory rank (''principales'' from the 2nd century onwards); not all who had the title of ''optio'' held this status. *''Optio speculatorum'': ''optio'' in the elite cavalry bodyguards. *''Optio spei'': ''optio'' being groomed for promotion to the rank of centurion. *''Optio statorum'': ''optio'' of military police. *''Optio tribuni'': assistant to a tribune. *''Optio valetudinarii'': orderly in charge of a hospital. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「optio」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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