The Roman Army

1
The Roman Army
2
Who Was In the Army?

• The Roman Army was made up of men from all over
  the Empire, no women were allowed to join.
• These men were professional soldiers whose only
  job was to fight and defend Rome.
• Initially only property owners such as farmers
  could serve in the army, but from the 1st century
  B.C. onwards anybody could join.
• These soldiers would have to stay in the army for
  at least 25 years!

3
Who Was In the Army?

• If a soldier was brave, clever and fought well he
  could become a centurion in charge of 80 ordinary
  soldiers called legionaries.
• Each troop of about 80 legionaries was called a
  century.
• There were 59 centuries in a legion and about 30
  legions in the Roman army.
• There were also other soldiers called auxiliaries
  who included the cavalry.
• To show the differences in ranks centurions
  carried a special stick to show who they were.
• They used the stick to beat any soldier who
  disobeyed an order. The important centurions also
  wore special armour, which emphasised their rank.

4
How Did The Romans Arm Themselves?

• A Roman soldier's weapons were a short sword for
  stabbing, and a throwing spear called a pilum.
• He wore armour made from overlapping iron bands
  and a metal helmet on his head.
• He also carried a large rectangular shield which
  curved around his body.
• A pilum was made with sharp iron points and
  softer metal shafts behind. When the spear hit an
  enemy's shield it bent making it very difficult
  to pull out. The spear shaft would drag on the
  ground and trip up the enemy who would then have
  to throw his shield away.

5
What Was Life Like in the Roman Army?

• Roman soldiers had to be tough. They were
  expected to march 20 miles a day wearing armour.
• They were also expected to carry their own
  shield, some food and camping equipment.
• Soldiers were also trained to fight together.
  They marched into battle in a flexible line with
  their shields next to each other.
• If the enemy shot arrows at them the soldiers in
  the rows behind the front line would lift their
  shields over their heads like a roof to protect
  them. This was called a testudo, which means
  tortoise.