[ANSTHRLD] RE: Optio

[Maridonna]

I don't know how reliable this webiste is but
http://www.roman-empire.net/army/army.html  has the following to say
about Optio
"Each centurion had an optio, so called because originally he was
nominated by the centurion. The optiones ranked with the standard
bearers as principales receiving double the pay of an ordinary soldier.
The title optio ad spem ordinis was given to an optio who had been
accepted for promotion to the centurionate, but who was waiting for a
vacancy."

This tombstone seems to back it up-
2.173
OPTIONIS AD SPEM
ORDINIS C LUCILI
INGENUI QUI
NAUFRAGIO PERIT
S E
(Tombstone) of an optio, serving in the century of Lucilius Ingenuus and
awaiting promotion to centurion, who died in a shipwreck. [A space was
left for H (hic) in case the body lost in the shipwreck was found for
burial here, but the letter was never inserted.]

http://www.ocr.org.uk/OCR/WebSite/Data/Publication/Teacher%20Support%20&%20Coursework%20Guidance
/Source_Mat41438.pdf