Centurions & "Fifty Captains"

A Roman centurion was a commander of a century, the smallest unit of the Roman legion. Centurions were professional soldiers who were promoted from the ranks of the common soldiers. They had to be physically fit, skilled in combat, and capable of leading men. They were also responsible for training their men, maintaining discipline, and carrying out the orders of their superiors.

“Fifty Captain” is likely a Centurion who commanded a century of 50 men. A possible explanation for Roman fifty captains is that they were used in special units, such as the Praetorian Guard or the urban cohorts. These units were often smaller than the regular legions, and they may have had a different command structure.