A legionary had to be recommended by someone connected with the army in order to be recruited. He would receive a small amount of money if accepted by the army and this sum would cover his travelling expenses to the camp. Training All new recruitments had to be trained properly before they could fight; he would be taught in everything that a working legionary would need to know in battle and survival. He was taught to march. He was taught how to build camp and basic survival skills. He was also given a general training in stone slinging, swimming and riding.
However his main lesson was in the art of physical combat! Weapons Training The legionary would practise his weapons skills on a large wooden stake about the size of a man. He would attack the stake with his sword and he would learn how to throw a spear (or pilum), using the stake as his target. There would be mock battles set up between the men as well so they could practise in more realistic conditions. The Pay and the Rules A legionary would serve for around 25 years and they were paid far more than auxiliaries. Large rewards were paid after victories or when a new emperor came into power.
It was a rule that soldiers were not allowed to marry however they disobeyed this rule and the rule was soon forgotten. On retirement a legionary would have the choice in receive land or a sum of money. Religion A roman soldier would often worship many gods including the local god of the area where the camp was. Some religions were more popular than others. There is no evidence of Christianity before the 1st century A. D possibly because of the Christians being strict pacifists (anti-war). Leisure The legionary was often recruited from the urban population and the men tried to bring the leisure with them.
For example the roman bath buildings are found on or near most camps. There were also exercise and massage rooms and all camps also seemed to have had an amphitheatre within or just outside their walls. The Roman Army The Legion The legion was the basic unit of the Roman army. It was divided into the following 1 legion (6000 men) = 10 cohorts 1 cohort (600) = 3 maniples 1 maniple (200) = 2 centuries 1 century (100 men) Six thousand was the normal strength of a legion, however because of the killed, wounded, sick, etc. , it was usually a bit smaller. The Officers
The imperator (general) had a number of legions under his command. A legaius was the commanding officer of one legion. And the tribuni militum were junior officer who were in the army to gain experience and they had little military responsibility. The officers were always men from noble Roman families. The general would usually be an important and well-known man who had been given his position after holding high political office in Rome. The Men The soldiers were mainly Roman citizens who had dedicated their lives to their country and the army. Their career lasted for over twenty years. They were paid reasonably well at 230 denariis a year.
The highest rank an ordinary soldier could rise to be was a centurion. There were sixty centurions to a legion (one for each century). A man could rise up ranks until he became centurion of the first century. He would then become primus pilus, the equivalent of a sergeant major today. The discipline of the Roman army depended greatly on the centurions who could enforce obedience with the stick they carried. In a battle the centurion led his own men around and would have to retain his mens respect by his own actions and braveness as well. Uniform A woollen tunic reaching almost to the knees.
A leather doublet, sometimes with metal plates for additional protection, worn over the tunic A heavy cloak, which could also be used as a blanket. A Heavy hob-nailed sandals, but no covering for the legs unless he was fighting in a very cold country. Armour and Weapons A shield made of leather 4 foot tall and 2. 5 foot wide with a metal rim and a central metal guard for added protection. A crested helmet made of metal. A metal greave on his right leg, left unprotected by his shield. A two edged sword, 2 foot ling for close fighting. A soldier would also carry a javelin and sometimes even a dagger. Equipment
The Roman legionary carried a lot of gear in a sort of knapsack. The weight was enormous, as we are told that it carried their armour, a saw, a basket, a spade, an axe, a sickle, a chain, cooking utensils, three days rations and his personal kit. The other heavier equipment was carried in wagons closely guarded on the march. On the march and in battle The average days march was 20 miles. This was done early in the morning and when they stopped they would set up camp for the rest of the day. There would be men ahead of the march who decided where to set up camp. They would put in four posts marking the area when they found a suitable site.
The soldiers would then come dig a ditch and a palisade, they would also set up the generals tent in the centre of the camp. The soldiers would then set up camp around the generals, however there would be space reserved for two main roads running through the centre (from east to west and south to north). The reason for the troops setting up a new camp every day was so they could get a good night sleep knowing that they were well protected. They would also be able to retreat to their previous camp if they were under attack. The camps were extremely good ideas because they boosted the troops moral as well as doing their original job.
The method of fighting varied but a common arrangement was the triplex acies. This consisted of the 10 cohorts drawn in three lines (4, 3 and 3). The three in the second line would cover the spaces between the four in the first, and the third line consisted of veteran soldiers. The front line would attack first throwing their spears then going into close quarter fighting. The second line would be there also if the first line needed help. If this second line got into trouble also then the third line would come through allowing the first two to retreat.
If even this was not successful then the veteran soldiers would ensure a orderly retreat back to camp were they could take refuge or consider a counter attack. Attacks on towns The Romans preferred to take their enemy by surprise, but sometimes the towns were surprisingly well protected and other methods of attack were necessary. The Greeks invented some of these. The testudo. Soldiers with shields interlocked above their heads provided shelter from enemy attacks and they allowed others to undermine the wall or prepare a scaling attempt. The agger.
This was a huge tower, which was rolled up to the wall. Then the Romans could attack from the top of the tower. They would then drive the defenders away from the wall, which enabled the attackers to cross to over. The aries. A battering ram tipped with iron. It was often of great weight and was either swung on ropes or moved on a wheeled frame. Catapults and ballistae. These were used in attack or defence. The former was for arrows and the latter was for stones or beams. They were like giant crossbows in which the missiles were propelled by torsion or ropes.
