Optio

: optiones), was a position in a centuria (century) of a Roman army similar to that of an executive officer.

An optio was stationed at the rear of the ranks to keep the troops in order.

Their duties would include enforcing the orders of the centurion, taking over the centurion's command in battle should the need arise, supervising his subordinates, and a variety of administrative duties.

Titles held by optiones included: Unlike the centurion, the cuirass was not the distinguishing part of the optio's uniform.

[citation needed] An optio's armour would be more like those of the common legionary.