The Roman Army

1
The Roman Army

• The Legion

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Legion

• Main part of the army was the Legion
• Legion 5000 men under the command of a Legate

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Centuries

• Groups of 10
• Army organized into groups of 10 men
• 10 men organized into 10 groups called a century
  (led by a centurion)
• Centuries organized into legions led by legate

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Centurions

• Responsible for training the soldiers
• Made sure orders obeyed
• Some were very cruel

5
Standards

• Each century had a standard (emblem)
• Standard carried by standard bearer, very trusted
  and experienced soldier
• To lose standard huge disgrace
• Standard of the army/legion was the Eagle (was
  also Jupiters sign)

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Legion requirements

• Roman citizen
• Physically fit
• 25 year commitment

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Responsibilities

• Punished severely if equipment lost in battle
  (beaten or stoned)
• Decimation Every 10th man put to death
• During peace build roads, camps, aqueducts, and
  fortifications
• Spread Roman culture

8
Training

• Join at 18-20
• Three 18-19 mile marches per month
• Each march, carry 55 pounds of equipment
• Drill and marching taught often
• New recruits given swords and shield twice as
  heavy as real thing

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Advantages to service

• Honor
• Paid monthly salary
• After 25 years, given cash payment and land
• Clothing and equipment free
• Travel the empire
• Learn a skill
• Physically fit
• Protect the empire

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Auxiliaries

• Soldiers from lands conquered by Romans
• Volunteered to fight for Rome
• Special skills like cavalry, archers, etc.
• Considered 2nd class soldiers, trained and paid
  less
• After 25 years became citizens

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Fighting Techniques

• New soldiers at front (to give confidence,
  prevented them from running, and to avoid losing
  experienced soldiers)
• Legionnaires would run in and throw spears at
  enemy to create disarray
• Goal was to get in close for hand to hand with
  swords
• While this was happening, cavalry would flank the
  enemy (come in from sides and/or rear
• Auxiliaries would often be sent in before
  Legionnaires in order to soften the enemy up (and
  they would act as cavalry and archers)
• Tortoise battle technique used to prevent
  casualties (surround with shields)