Probatio is a position given to the lowest and newest ranking legion members of Camp Jupiter.
Description
Probatio is considered the lowest rank at camp. Both legacies and those of unknown lineages have to go through this beginning stage and receive a tablet with the word on it as well as their name and assigned cohort. To be promoted from the rank of Probatio to full legionnaire status, they must be claimed by their godly parent and they must survive a full year of training in the legion. However, they can become a full legionnaire sooner through an 'act of valor', this can be done through a heroic act inside Camp Jupiter, or can be achieved by helping on a quest. Once somebody becomes an official member of the legion, they lose their probatio tablet.
The Heroes of Olympus
The Son of Neptune
Frank Zhang was still at the rank probatio after a few weeks at camp until Percy Jackson arrived. He was charged with cleaning the armory and taking care of Hannibal, the war elephant, tasks looked upon as insignificant by higher ranked campers. Percy was also given this rank when Octavian accepted him into the Legion.
Later, when deciding a cohort to place Percy in, Frank speaks up for placing him in the Fifth Cohort, but because he is only a probatio, he isn't allowed to represent Percy. Hazel Levesque, who is now a legionnaire, steps in and says that she will represent Percy instead. Since only centurions can lead a quest, Reyna Ramírez-Arellano was forced to make Frank a centurion.
Five days after arriving at Camp Jupiter, Percy becomes a Praetor from a probatio without being a legionnaire or centurion after helping defend Camp Jupiter against the Giant Army and defeating the intimidating giant Polybotes.
The Blood of Olympus
Octavian reinstates Bryce Lawrence into the Twelfth Legion Fulminata and places him as a probatio in the Fifth Cohort.
The Trials of Apollo
The Tyrant's Tomb
A female probatio appears in the Barnes & Noble edition of the book, looking into an ancient Roman mystery.
Camp Jupiter Classified: A Probatio's Journal
The story tells of the early days at Camp Jupiter for Claudia, a legacy of Mercury who has recently became a probatio in the Fourth Cohort. Other probatios shown are Blaise, a son of Vulcan, and Janice, a daughter of Janus.
Trivia
- Probatio means "test" in Latin, referring to how those on probatia must prove themselves to the Legion before becoming members.