A
centurion (; ,
kentyríon, or ,
hekatóntarkhos) was a professional officer of the
Roman army after the
Marian reforms of 107 BC. Most centurions commanded groups of centuries of around 80 men but senior centurions commanded
cohorts or took senior staff roles in their
legion. Centurions were also found in the
Roman navy. In the
Byzantine Army, they are also known by the name
kentarch (,
kentarchos). Their symbol of office was the
vine staff, with which they disciplined even
Roman citizens protected from other forms of beating by the
Porcian Laws.