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The Roman Army
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The Roman army, famed for its discipline,
organization, and innovation in both weapons
and tactics, allowed Rome to build and defend a
huge empire which for centuries would dominate
the Mediterranean world and beyond.
the early Roman army fought more along the
lines of Greek hoplites in a phalanx, most likely
as a form of civil militia, with recruitment
dependent on a citizen’s social standing.
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All citizens who owned land were required to
serve in the army.
To secure certain public offices, ten years of
military service were required.
Roman soldiers were organized into large
military units called legions.
The Roman legion was made up of some 5,000
heavily armed foot soldiers (infantry).
A group of soldiers on horseback (cavalry)
supported each legion.
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Legions were divided into smaller groups of 80
men, each of which was called a century.
The centurion was the Roman officer in charge
of a century. In battle, the strength of the legion
was its flexibility.
Each century in a legion could act
independently.
The military organization and fighting skill of the
Roman army were key factors in Rome’s rise to
greatness.
The Army Breakdown
Roman Army
Company
4 to 6 thousand men
Legion
10 Cohorts
Cohorts
Groups of Centuries
Century
80 Soldiers
Further Breakdown
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The standard force of the Roman Imperial army was the
legions, a heavy infantry, initially composed of Roman
citizens. The number of legions in existence at one time
often varied, but a rough average is 28. The make-up of
each Legion was as follows:
10 cohorts to one legion
six centuries to one cohort
10 tents to one cohort
eight soldiers to one tent
120 cavalry - not really a fighting force, but messengers
and scouts.
Battle Strategies
The
Square
Pigs
Head
The
Tortise
Tortoise formation
Linking shields together over their heads
Weapons
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Battering rams, siege towers & catapults
Catapult
The Seige
Tower
The
Onager
Praetorian Guard
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Elite army formed during rein of Augustus Caesar
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Guarded the emperors
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Last line of defence for the city of Rome
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Well paid, arrogant, influenced politicians
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Rulers knew the support of the Roman Army meant
power