Lochagos

In this article, dedicated to Lochagos, we will delve into a fascinating topic that has captured the interest of people around the world. Along these lines, we will explore the most relevant and impactful aspects related to Lochagos, diving into its history, characteristics and current challenges. From its origins to its current situation, we will analyze in depth the importance of Lochagos and its influence in different areas. Through this journey, we hope to provide a comprehensive and enriching vision of Lochagos, inviting our readers to reflect and learn more about this exciting topic.

Lochagos (Greek: Λοχαγός; abbreviated Λγος) is used in the Greek language to mean "Captain". More precisely, it means "leader of a lochos". The equivalent term in the Hellenic Army Armour & Cavalry is ιλάρχος, ilarchos, 'leader of an ilē (cavalry troop)'.

Ancient and Byzantine use

The term has been used since the times of Ancient Greece, where the place of the rank in the military hierarchy differed from city-state to city-state. For example, Xenophon reported that a lochagos of Sparta served under a polemarch. Aristotle reported that his counterpart in Athens served under a taxiarchos. In military manuals, the file is often called a lochos and as such its leader is also called a lochagos.[1][2][3] Thus, the lochagos can also be the promachos protostates.

The rank of lochagos could also represent an officer roughly equivalent to that a Roman army centurion. The term was however also used by later writers to describe the civilian leader of a curia. The rank was still in use in the military of the Byzantine Empire, although more usually, the term hecatontarch was used, a calque of the Latin centurio.[4]: 90  Certain early Byzantine units such as the infantry auxilia and the cavalry Scholae lacked centurions and decurions, but had centenarii and decenarii instead. These are mentioned both in the Strategikon of Maurice and by Jerome. Warren Treadgold interprets these to be a type of junior and senior centurion, a designation based on seniority and experience, not a distinction in rank. [4]: 90–91 

Modern use

In the modern Hellenic Army the rank is superior to an Ypolochagos (Lieutenant) and inferior to an Tagmatarchis (Major). The insignia consists of three silver stars.

Rank insignia

References

  1. ^ Ael.Tact.5.1
  2. ^ Arrian, Techne Taktike, 5.6
  3. ^ Asclepiodotus, Tactica, 1.2
  4. ^ a b Treadgold, Warren (1995). Byzantium and Its Army: 284-1081. Stanford University Press. ISBN 9780804731638.
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Greek commissioned officer ranks
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Lochagos
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