'The legion ought to carry everywhere with it all the things which are considered necessary for every kind of warfare, so that wherever it builds its camp, it builds an armed city.' Vegetius.
' Pliny.
The invasion army
The Roman army of the first century was of a fiercely high standard, controlled by a strict and structured system of command. Each of the four legions which made up the invasion force (II, IX, XIV and XX) was composed in the same way. Each legion was commanded by a non-soldier, a legate who was appointed by the emperor. These were usually politicians who used their military service as a vital part of their career. The legate had a supporting staff of tribunes. Below this political class the body of the legion was constructed of ten cohorts. Each cohort (apart from the first which was special) contained some 480 men who held Roman citizenship and who had signed up for 25 years service. A cohort was made up of six centuries consisting of 80 legionaries each, a standard bearer (signifier), an orderly (tesserarius), a second in command (optio) and their leader the centurion. The centurions were very highly experienced no-nonsense soldiers who had been promoted to their position through the ranks. The special first cohort contained five double-size centuries each commanded by the best centurions in the legion (primi ordines), with the highest centurion holding the title Primus Pilus. This leading position gave immense power yet also meant that the political command could depend on the advice of a truly experienced military commander. An additional cohort of 120 cavalry (Equites) was also incorporated into the legion. The Romans also used Auxiliary troops who were non-Roman citizens incorporated into the Army from across the empire. After their 25 years, service they were awarded with the prize of Roman citizenship.
Military machines and equipment
Each legion carried well-made and robust equipment which was provided and serviced by legionary workshops. Legionaries had to buy their equipment out of their wages and this allowed for some deviation in standard designs, such as engraving on armour, but generally speaking soldiers from a given legion would have been similarly equipped.
Individual equipment included plated armour (called lorica segmentata) or chain mail or scale armour worn over the upper body. An iron helmet which incorporated cheek-guards and a neck-shield, together with a long-shield made of laminated wood covered with leather completed the defensive equipment. Legionaries carried javelins (pilum), a short sword (gladius) and a dagger (pugio) for weapons. The pilum was designed to bend if it hit the ground making it impossible for an enemy to pick up and throw back. The short sword was used with a stabbing forward technique, rather than slashing, and the dagger could be used to finish off the enemy.
Legions were also equipped with siege artillery such as the catapult-style onager and the torsion-powered, oversized-crossbow-style ballista. Normal crossbows and archers were also used to great effect.
Forts, defences and army life
During war, legions were constantly on the move. Part of their routine was to build temporary camps, and traces of these are often found during landscape surveys. After campaign the legions settled in fortresses, such as that of the Second Augustan Legion at Caerleon in South Wales. It's doubtful that a complete legion would have been within a fortress at any one time, as many units would have been posted around the province for policing and other duties. As the invasion of Britain was never completely successful the army stationed here also spent time building frontier defences, such as Hadrian's Wall and the Antonine Wall to control the empire's borders.
Rank and file
Much the same as modern military service, army life was one of routines, postings and training. A new recruit started as a Milites which effectively means they had the lowest pay and were generally unskilled. Promotion took the form of becoming an Immunes where skills and crafts were learned or cavalry training (including its extra pay) was undertaken. The next advance would be to the Principales class, who were essentially junior and senior staff officers on pay and a half (Sesquiplicarii) or double pay (Duplicarii). The Roman army was a largely self-contained unit on the move and all of its soldiers were trained in a variety of roles and skills. This disciplined, organised and focussed force were practically unbeatable; though the native Britons gave serious cause for concern on several occasions.
Click here for recommended books and websites about Roman Military.
|
We had lots of great entries in our fantastic 
