primipilaris Latin · revision 34161

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Augustan inscriptions|origins=la prīmipīlus}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''prīmipīlāris''' ''m'' (genitive prīmipīlāris); third declension^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ Also spelled ''prīmōpīlāris''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL)

+ A form ''prīmipīlārius'' is found in late inscriptions and law codes; the grammarian Probus condemns it.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|prīmipīlus|-āris|t1=senior centurion of a legion]].^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) [[m|la|prīmipīlus]] is formed from [[m|la|prīmus|t=first]] and [[m|la|pīlus#2|t=a division of the triarii]],^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) a word made from [[m|la|pīlum|t=javelin]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLL finds it often in inscriptions from the age of Augustus on, and more rarely in authors from Seneca the philosopher, Quintilian and Frontinus on.^(TLL) Seneca uses it as a noun, of the senior centurion: ''cessit primipilari'', “he gave way to a senior centurion”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the early Empire it is the centurion of the first century of the first cohort, the senior centurion of a legion,^(OLD 2012) and also a former senior centurion, as in Quintilian's ''primipilaris senex'', “an old ex-senior-centurion”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) In the army of the later Empire it is an officer in charge of supplies, a commissary, in the Digest and the Theodosian Code,^(Georges 1913)^(Lewis & Short 1879) and as an adjective it means belonging to such an officer.^(Georges 1913) Sidonius Apollinaris uses it figuratively of a bishop.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010) It passed into Greek.^(TLL) Medieval writers in Britain use it of a senior commander who leads troops into battle and, figuratively, of a champion of the church who carries the banner of faith.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * Age of Augustus – It appears often in inscriptions.^(TLL)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of a senior centurion.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian has it of a former senior centurion.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 98–115 AD – Tacitus uses it in the ''Histories''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Conte 2010)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 431–486 AD – Sidonius Apollinaris calls a bishop a ''prīmipīlāris''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1199 – Peter of Blois uses it figuratively of a standard-bearer of the faith.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The [[m|en|centurion]] commanding the first century of the first [[m|en|cohort]], the senior centurion of a [[m|en|legion]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Conte 2010)

+ # A former senior centurion.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010)

+ # ''(Late Latin)'' A [[m|en|commissary]], an officer in charge of army supplies.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010)

+ # ''(Late Latin)'' A [[m|en|bishop]] (figuratively, in Sidonius).^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A senior military [[m|en|commander]]; figuratively, a [[m|en|champion]] of the faith.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of or belonging to a commissary or a senior centurion.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[prīmipīlus]]

+ * [[pīlum]]

+ * [[prīmus]]

+ * [[centuriō#2]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}