In a late Republic legion, which cohort was commonly larger than the others?

• A. The third cohort
• B. The first cohort
• C. The second cohort
• D. The tenth cohort

Answer: (B)

The key thing to understand is that the Roman legion had a built-in hierarchy in its fighting units, and the first cohort stood apart as the elite and typically the strongest block. In the late Republic, the first cohort was larger than the others—usually about 600 men—while the remaining cohorts were standard at around 480. This extra manpower came from its veteran composition and its prestige, making it the backbone of the legion’s fighting line and the core unit trusted with first striking or central roles in battle. Because of its size and experienced makeup, the first cohort was the one commonly larger than the rest. The other cohorts stayed at the standard strength, so they weren’t larger than the first.