roman military

Cards (66)

  • What period does the Roman Military refer to?
    Imperial period
  • When was Rome ruled by emperors?
    In the 1st and early 2nd century AD
  • What regions did the Roman Empire control?
    Much of Western Europe, North Africa, and parts of Western Asia
  • How was the Roman army characterized during this period?
    It was fully professional
  • What was the largest unit of the Roman army called?
    • The legion
    • Approximately 30 legions posted across the empire
  • What were the senior figures of the army called?
    Senior figures were called legates
  • Where did the senior figures of the army come from?
    From the Roman upper classes
  • Who appointed the commander of the legion?
    The emperor
  • What were the six senior officers of the legion called?
    Tribunes
  • What did tribunes wear as a symbol of rank?
    A purple stripe on their toga
  • How were legions numbered and named?
    They were numbered and often named after a notable figure
  • How many cohorts made up a legion?
    Ten cohorts
  • What was the size of the first cohort?
    It had around 800 men
  • How many men were in the other nine cohorts?
    Each had around 480 men
  • What was the total number of men in a legion?
    About 4,320 men
  • What was a century in the Roman army?
    A small unit of about 80 men
  • What was the role of the centurion?
    To command a century
  • What was required to become a soldier in the Roman army?
    Must be a Roman citizen
  • What was the period of probation for soldiers?
    A period of probation including a medical exam
  • What would happen if a soldier passed the probation period?
    He would pay for his journey to the legionary fort
  • What oath would a soldier take upon joining?
    A military oath of allegiance
  • What was included in the training of soldiers?
    Learning military tactics and discipline
  • What were the key components of recruitment and training in the Roman army?
    • Must be a Roman citizen
    • Period of probation with a medical exam
    • Journey to the legionary fort
    • Military oath of allegiance
    • Training included tactics and discipline
  • What is the period of probation for a soldier?
    A period of probation includes a medical exam
  • What happens if a soldier passes the probation period?
    He would pay for his journey to the legionary fort
  • Where would a soldier go after passing probation?
    To the legionary fort for training
  • What does training for soldiers include?
    • Learning to march (20 miles in 5 hours)
    • Completing drills
    • Building fitness skills
    • Weapons training
  • What was the final task for soldiers in training?
    To construct a camp
  • Who paid the soldier's salary?
    The Roman state
  • How were promoted soldiers compensated?
    They were paid more than regular legionary soldiers
  • How were auxiliary soldiers and sailors compensated?
    They were paid much less than legionaries
  • What could auxiliary soldiers receive for their service?
    Roman citizenship
  • What was the purpose of the legionary fortress?
    • Headquarters of the legion
    • Originally built in wood
    • Later constructed in stone
  • What surrounded the legionary fortress?
    Ditches and corner towers
  • What facilities did legions have access to?
    • Baths
    • A hospital
    • A basilica
    • A temple
    • Granaries
    • An amphitheater
  • What was the name of the legionary's own villa?
    Praetorium
  • What was the significance of the testudo formation?
    • Famous Roman battle formation
    • Overlapping shields for defense
    • Used to defend from all sides
  • What was the primary weapon of the legionaries?
    Gladius
  • What was the most iconic legionary weapon?
    The pilum javelin
  • What event strengthened the Roman Navy?
    Octavian's victory at the Battle of Actium