An optio (Latin: optiō, from optāre, 'to choose', so-called because an optio was chosen by a centurion; pl.: optiones), was a position in a centuria (century) of a Roman army similar to that of an executive officer. The main function of an optio was as an optio centuriae, the second-in-command of a century, although there were many other roles an optio could adopt. Optiones were vital in the Roman army. An optio was stationed at the rear of the ranks to keep the troops in order.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optio
An optio (Latin: optiō, from optāre, 'to choose', so-called because an optio was chosen by a centurion; pl.: optiones), was a position in a centuria (century) of a Roman army similar to that of an executive officer. The main function of an optio was as an optio centuriae, the second-in-command of a century, although there were many other roles an optio could adopt. Optiones were vital in the Roman army. An optio was stationed at the rear of the ranks to keep the troops in order.
