Q. What do the forum ranks mean?

A. There are two types of them. "Fresh boarder" etc. are automatic ranks assigned depending on number of posts the person has. These are not related to the person's status in the Roma IV project. The "special" ranks that are related (and are assigned by higher-ranking persons within the project) are:

Accensus - historically, "a trainee or reservist". In our context: a new volunteer/onlooker who is not participating in anything yet.

Miles - historically, "a regular foot soldier". In our context: somebody who participates in one or more projects.

Legionnaire - historically, "a heavy trooper". In our context: a participant who has a significant contribution in one or several projects.

Decanus - historically, "a leader of ten people" (more often eight people actually). In our context: somebody in charge of a small work group.

Centurion - historically, "a leader of one hundred people" (commander of a centuria, which consisted of 80 soldiers and 20 non-combatants). In our context: somebody in charge of a large work group.

Legatus - historically, a general commanding a legion or other large unit. In our context: somebody in charge of a large project involving several large work groups.

Consul - historically, Rome always had two consuls as its top magistrates. They were elected for one year, and during that year they alternatively "held the fasces" (ruled) for a month at a time. After the end of the year they became "consulars" (people who have been consuls) which gave them precedence in the Senate and was one of the highest possible ranks in society. In our context: a person who is in charge of the whole Roma IV project.