What does a century refer to in Roman military terms?

In Roman military terminology, a century refers to an army unit of approximately 80 soldiers, although the name suggests a unit of 100. The century was a subdivision of the cohort, which was itself a part of the legion. Understanding the structure of the Roman legions is crucial, as this organization played a significant role in the effectiveness of the Roman army.

The details about the different unit sizes highlight the complexity of Roman military organization. A legion typically consisted of around 4,800 to 5,000 soldiers, grouped into several centuries. This structure allowed for flexibility in battle and effective command over smaller units of soldiers.

While the actual number in a century could vary slightly based on recruitment and organization adjustments, the primary designation as a military unit of around 80 is the key takeaway. Other options present larger numbers of soldiers that do not accurately reflect the size of a century in Roman military structure.