The contubernium (Latin for 'tenting-together') was the smallest organized unit of soldiers in the Roman Army and was composed of ten legionaries,[1] essentially the equivalent of a modern squad, although unlike modern squads contubernia seemed to serve no tactical role in battle.
[3] Ten contubernia, each led by a decanus, were grouped into a centuria of 100 men (eighty legionaries plus twenty support staff), which was commanded by a centurion.
However, there is no evidence of a decanus exercising any kind of battlefield command role, regardless of any responsibilities they may have had in garrison or camp.
[7] Their duties would likely have included organising the erection of the marching tent and ensuring their tent-mates kept things tidy.
[3] They were responsible for the care of the contubernium's pack mule, making sure that the legionaries had water during the march, and may have had special skills like blacksmithing or carpentry.