Princeps prior was a high-ranking Roman centurion and a member of the legion. Each of the ten cohorts that made up a legion had at its head the rank of pilus prior followed by the princeps prior. There is some controversy as to the precise order of the ranks below the pilus prior but this rank was followed by princeps prior if the order is based on seniority. The princeps prior – like the princeps posterior – was elevated from the common soldiers based on merit. He is chosen by the tribunes of soldiers or the Roman consul or proconsul.