Why Romulus hid as a centurion

There are a few reasons why Romulus hid as a centurion. On the battlefield no one would notice if he, for instance, sucked the blood out of his enemies, as he killed them. Also, he could create some of the first vampires, choosing them from the most elite of his hundred men. It would also not be too suspicious when he died at the appropriate time for a human to die (he was a soldier after all. A general, but still a human). By being a centurion Romulus had a certain aspect of importance but still had enough freedom not to be suspected of being a bloodsucking fiend.