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Characters Roman

Roman Supporting Characters:

Long-Term Colleagues (From Previous Campaigns):

Centurion Gaius Fabius Bassus

  • Name Usage: “Centurion Bassus” (formal), “Bassus” (casual), “the centurion” (by role)
  • Cognomen: Bassus = “stocky/sturdy” (physical description, hereditary)

Optio Marcus Caecilius Calvus

  • Name Usage: “Optio Calvus” (formal), “Calvus” (casual), “the optio” (by role)
  • Cognomen: Calvus = “bald” (physical trait, hereditary)

Fresh Faces (New to British Campaigns):

Tribune Lucius Aemilius Priscus

  • Name Usage: “Tribune Priscus” (formal), “Priscus” (casual), “the tribune” (by role)
  • Cognomen: Priscus = “ancient/venerable” (family trait, hereditary)

Centurion Titus Domitius Rufus

  • Name Usage: “Centurion Rufus” (formal), “Rufus” (casual), “the centurion” (by role)
  • Cognomen: Rufus = “red-haired” (physical trait, hereditary)

Technical Specialists:

Architectus Publius Fabius Strabo

  • Name Usage: “Strabo” (casual), “the architectus” (by profession), “the engineer” (role)
  • Cognomen: Strabo = “squint-eyed” (physical trait, hereditary)
  • Title: Architectus = professional engineer/master builder

Medicus Quintus Iulius Paetus

  • Name Usage: “Paetus” (casual), “the medicus” (by profession), “the surgeon” (role)
  • Cognomen: Paetus = “having a slight squint” (physical trait, hereditary)
  • Title: Medicus = military doctor/surgeon

Intelligence & Liaison:

Centurion Marcus Aemilius Crispus

  • Name Usage: “Centurion Crispus” (formal), “Crispus” (casual), “the intelligence centurion” (by role)
  • Cognomen: Crispus = “curly-haired” (physical trait, hereditary)

Decurion Gaius Caecilius Velox

  • Name Usage: “Decurion Velox” (formal), “Velox” (casual), “the cavalry officer” (by role)
  • Cognomen: Velox = “swift” (could be physical trait or earned nickname, now hereditary)

Staff & Administration:

Actuarius Lucius Scribonius Lepidus

  • Name Usage: “Lepidus” (casual), “the actuarius” (by profession), “the clerk” (informal role)
  • Cognomen: Lepidus = “charming/pleasant” (character trait, hereditary)
  • Title: Actuarius = records keeper/military clerk

Usage in Dialogue/Narrative:

Formal Address:

  • “Tribune Priscus, what’s the status of the cohort?”
  • “Centurion Bassus, prepare your men for escort duty.”

Casual/Familiar:

  • “Bassus, what do you think of these reports?”
  • “Crispus has contacts among the locals.”

Professional Reference:

  • “Send for the medicus immediately.”
  • “The architectus has designed a new water barrier.”
  • “Have the actuarius compile casualty reports.”

Mixed Usage:

  • “Strabo, you’re our best architectus - can this be done?”
  • “The medicus - Paetus - says the wounds are unlike anything he’s seen.”

This maintains historical accuracy while giving each character a proper hereditary cognomen and appropriate professional titles that reflect 1st century CE Roman military structure.

Based on the historical evidence, Marcus Flavius Cursor would most likely be with Legio XIV Gemina Martia Victrix under Scapula’s command. Here’s why:

Legio XIV Gemina - The Perfect Match

Historical Positioning Under Scapula:

The legion “very likely saw action under the personal command of the propraetor Ostorius Scapula, who was governor of Britain from AD47 until his untimely death on campaign in 52”.

“In the next decade, the XIIII Gemina fought against the Welsh tribes: the southern Silures, the Ordovices, and the Deceangi in the north. After 55, it was based at Viroconium (Wroxeter on the river Severn)”.

Geographic Assignment:

“At this time the Legio II Augusta held the command in the south east, the Legio IX Hispana was campaigning the north east beyond the Trent, the Legio XX Valeria Victrix held Colchester and the Legio XIV was based at Wroxeter”.

Wroxeter was strategically positioned for Welsh operations and Forest of Dean access - perfect for your mining operations storyline.

Engineering Specialisation:

“The first semi-permanent legionary fortress on British soil to house the Fourteenth was very likely in the Midlands at Mancetter (Manduessedum) Vexillation Fort” - XIV Gemina had extensive fortress construction experience.

Welsh Campaign Focus:

“Following the Brigantian revolt, the Fourteenth Legion were pitted for most of the next decade against the Welsh tribes; the southern Silures in the south and the Ordovices in mid-Wales, Snowdonia and Anglesey”.

This perfectly matches your story’s focus on Silures resistance and Forest of Dean operations.

Elite Status:

“When the native queen Boudicca revolted in 60, the legion behaved itself valiantly and was rewarded the honorific title Martia Victrix (’victorious, blessed by Mars’). The emperor Nero thought that this was the best legion he had”.

Perfect Story Integration:

  • Engineering expertise from fortress construction experience
  • Welsh tribal warfare specialist knowledge
  • Elite reputation fitting Cursor’s troubleshooter role
  • Wroxeter base provides access to Forest of Dean
  • Direct Scapula command during the exact period (47–52 CE)

Legio XIV Gemina gives you historical accuracy, geographic positioning, and the elite military engineering background perfect for your supernatural warfare storyline!