Download The Roman Army

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Rome, a recreational paradise and an historic landmark in modern times, made
its debut in the ancient world in 509 BC by creating a Republic, along with an
incredible empire in 27 BC when Augustus was made Emperor. With it’s powerful
and stable government and seat of power, as well with its mass amount of trade which
bloomed the economy of Rome’s Empire. Rome strived to greatness and domination
and became on of the greatest power in the ancient world. But Rome really wouldn’t
have done it without the help of the Roman Army. Without it’s powerful and
organized army, along with its innovative military tactics and advanced weaponry,
they were unstoppable in warfare which gave Rome great achievements by expanding
its borders spread its power and authority across Europe. However, the Roman
Empire declined when the last emperor was overthrown by Barbarians; I believe the
Roman army may have been an effect to the downfall of the Empire politically and
economically. The Roman army has proven it’s efficiency by giving Rome great
achievements, but it could also caused the fall of a once great and solid Roman
Empire.
The Structure of the Roman Army
The Roman army was Rome’s important pillars. The extension of power of
Rome could have done it without the support of the Army. It was one of the greatest
and the most disciplined as well as well-experienced when it comes to warfare. The
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army changed dramatically since the formation of the Republic. They were all citizens
of Rome who have a fair amount of property and they must be men. They were
between the ages of 17 and 46 year old and they must participate at war times
(Ramirez).”They would gather in groups called centuries, each group consisted of 100
men. During the early republic era, in a military emergency, all property owing citizen
were summoned to the Campus Martius. They would gather in groups called centuries,
each group consisted of 100 men. In the beginning wars only lasted a few days, so it
didn't matter if men left their farms for short periods of time.”(Penn)
As warfare are situated further from the center of Rome. They were then formed
into squads called legions; it contained about 4,200 men each. In each legion there
were divisions of soldier types. These groups were known as maniples and they each
consisted of about 120 men. “Maniples fought in a special formation known as
quincunxes, which were made up of three ranks of soldiers. The groups were spread
out in 3 rows in a checker board pattern, across the battle field facing the enemy. The
gaps in each line were covered by the troops in the line behind. At the rear of the
quincunx were 5 maniples (600 men) of very experienced fighters known as Triarii.
Next in front of the Triarii fought the second rank of soldiers, 10 maniples called
principles. These men were armed with plenty of weapons and large shields. Out in
the very front line of the quincunx, 10 maniples totaling 1200 young soldiers fought.
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They were known as Hastati because they carried Hastae spears. In battle, the Hastati
wore out the enemy first, and then the group of principles moved into battle. The
Triarii only fought if a battle was going badly.” (Penn)
Later on in the Roman Empire, the army reformed due to the command of Gaius
Marius and Augustus in the Imperial Army. Their reformation in the army included
the total structure, command, military tactic, and the equipment of the soldiers Marius
got rid of all the requirements needed to be in the army, therefore making it possible
for everyone in the Roman Empire who wanted to fight. Apparently something lacked
with the early Roman army. The military was especially loyal compared to the last
army in the Republic (Army).
Military Tactics and Weaponry
The Roman army’s choice of weapons and tactics is one of the reasons why they
are so battle-effective. “In the late 3rd century B.C., the army of the Roman Republic
was just emerging as a formidable power, as they now controlled the Italian Peninsula
south of the Po River. The army was now rapidly becoming an offensive war
machine.” (Five)
There were constant reforms in the army that during the rule of Marius and
Augustus. At first, the Velites, Hastati, Principes, and Triarii each had their duty
during fighting and had to acquire their own equipment like weapons, armor, and
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roman helmets which were a variety in design and make. During the first century A.D.
they were made into one unified military force by Marius and Augustus, with identical
weapons and armor and the wealth contributed by the state. After these changes, the
pre-Marius soldiers were then divided into two groups: legionnaires and auxilia.
Citizens of the Roman Empire were recruited into the legions (the core of the army
and consists of heavy armored soldiers), while auxilia consist of non-citizens
(provides reinforcements and specialists such as archers, cavalry, and poorly supplied
troops). (Penn)
The Roman army was also equipped with innovative military tactics that were
extremely effective during combat, these are a few examples. Definitely the most
well-known and the most was the Tortoise (Testudo), where the troops become an
impenetrable square box by lifting and locking their Roman shields (Scutum),
protecting them from projectiles from the hostile forces. (Roman)
“The Wedge was also a very important tactic used by the Romans. Small or large
groups of Legionnaires could form a triangle, and then use the point to break and open
a hole in the enemy's lines. Troops inside the triangle would also help reinforce and
effectively create a solid ‘spear point’ to breach the enemy. It was very important in
battles to be able to disrupt and break enemy formations.”
The “repel cavalry” method was very useful and destructive to incoming forces.
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“This only required two lines of men. The first line of soldiers would kneel down and
interlock their large scutum shields to form an impenetrable wall with their roman
pilum pointing up at about a forty-five degree angle. The line of men behind them
placed their shields on top of the first lines' at a slight slant. They would have their
pilum ready to throw at the approaching cavalry. This was very effective as horsed do
not willingly charge into a solid wall of shields and spear points.”
The last military tactic up their sleeve was called the Orb; this was used as a last
resort in order to as a defensive tactic. If somehow the troops are managed to be cut
off from the rest of the group, or when they are overwhelmed by hostile forces, “they
would form a tight circle with officers and archers in the center and legionnaires on
the outside.” With these tactics in their deck of cards, there is no doubt that the Roman
army is by far the most organized and the most effective military force in the ancient
world. (Imperial)
Achievements in Rome
Rome didn’t strive to greatness in an instant. Long before it came to power,
Persia and Greece were the most dominant forces in Europe and they were a force to
be reckoned with. It was when then the Roman Republic was established that Rome
was moving up the chain of command. With the continue increase of population
because of the changing of government, it needed more land for the people. By 265
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BC, they controlled Italy by defeating the Etruscans, and other Greek cities. They then
draw their focus to Sicily, which was at war with Carthage, a dominant trading city in
North Africa. The Romans sought to their aid and started the Punic Wars that lasted
for 80 years. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, but in the end Rome was victorious
and Carthage was in ruins. In addition, Rome allied with Greek city-states to defeat
Macedonia and Persia and they became provinces of Rome. With Greece as a Roman
province as well, the might of Rome seemed persistent. (Ramirez)
Emperor Augustus in the Roman Empire had led many wars, but Gaul (now
known as France) was his biggest challenge yet. Although his father, Julius Caesar,
had conquered Gaul, Augustus struggled to keep control of it. Germania had to be
conquered - though the country itself neither offered cities, nor treasures, nor a food
surplus. He then assigned Drusus as the governor of Gaul and made him command of
the Rhine soldiers and his duty was to conquer Germania.
The Germanic tribes were crumbling since fighting over the last years barely put
up any defense. For years, they had been attacked every year by superior Roman
armies, their settlements had been regularly burnt down, and their fields devastated. In
the countless bloody battles and skirmishes during these four years, probably all tribes
had lost a significant proportion of their men. Already in the previous year, the allied
tribes had been unable to prevent Drusus' army from marching through their
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territories. This year promised to be equally unsuccessful. It seemed better to
capitulate now - and not to wait until one would be totally defeated and defenseless.
Probably out of these considerations, all Germanic tribes sent envoys to the Romans,
asking for peace. They accepted Roman rule, and started to pay tribute and provide
troops for the Romans. (Kanagasingam)
Declination of the Roman Empire
Later on in Roman Empire, it was slowing going into a decline due to loads of
reasons. In 180AD, the power of the Empire was constrained due to the problems in
and out of Rome. The problem was partially because the army itself. “When the last
of the Good Emperors died, Rome was left without a solid leader to lead Rome. First
of all, as invaders constantly attack the Empire, the emperors tried to enlarge the army
itself. But as time passes, they find themselves in a crisis since they don’t have
enough finance to support the army, leaving Rome all helpless and weak. In addition,
their struggle for power has resulted in several civil wars. Apparently, Rome became a
“military dictatorship”. The soldiers helped their generals to achieve greatness as they
ascended to the throne (Ramirez). With this inner conflict within Rome itself, it’s no
wonder why it can’t defend itself from enemy invaders like the Huns of the Germanic
tribes.
Conclusion
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The Roman army is the most dominant force in the Roman Legacy, it certainly
had a lot to offer, its tactics, structure and its achievement are sure to be remembered.
However, it was because of the demand by the emperor for a larger army that they
found was impossible to support it since they were in an economic crisis. Therefore,
the Roman army turned on the Roman Empire making it vulnerable for hostiles to
attack. It’s a shame, what was once a strong, dominant force of the ancient world was
brought to its end by its own army, which made it all happen in the first place.