The roman army By: AVREVS

The infantry The mainstay of the roman army, they were the most important fighting unit, upon which everything else was but a compliment.

The Cohort

The Legion

Imperator Roman Name for victorious generals. Meant commander in chief of the army. Emperors were called imperator. Wore a light, thin ceremony armor.

Legatus Was the commander of the roman legion. Was always of the senatorial class. (notice the purple cloth on his tunic.) Wore a bronze chest plate type armor.

centurion Commander of a unit of men (60~80). Greaves are a sign of being a centurion. Vine rod carried was used to beat soldiers. Black horse hair was a sign of importance.

optio Was the lieutenant of the centurion. Assumed power upon centurion’s demise. Was promoted upon any given vacancy. Stayed at the rear of the century. At roll call, anyone not there went into the optio’s little book…

Cornicen Blew the horn to announce an order. Was paid 50 percent better than grunts. Wore a ceremonious wolf skin on helmet. Sometimes carried a small round shield.

Aquilifer Was covered in the skin of a lion. Was in charge of the legion’s eagle. Was also in charge of the pay chest. eagle was protected at all costs…(honor)

Signifer Always Wore a wolf skin on his helmet. Carried a ceremony small round shield. Carried the signs for a maniple. (2 centur.) Name taken from the standard signum.

Vexillarius Wore skin of a bear over his helmet. Is used as a standard bearer for cavalry. He Carried a small round shield. Was used to lead a small detachment.

legionary He Wore the famous lorica segmentata. He carried a large square shield. HE Was armed with a stabbing sword. He Wore the famous gallic helmet.

Auxiliary

The cavalry Used as scouts and as harriers, but never ever as the main assault force by the roman army.

The cavalry As you can see, the roman cavalry rode ponies.

The cavalry Sometimes were used on the two wings as archers. Often were meant to annoy rather than truly harm the enemy. Aimed at the enemy horses. Horses are more expensive than men to field in combat.

The cavalry Used long lances to ride down the enemy soldiers fleeing from the field. Only when the enemy broke and ran would the lancers be unleashed to stab them in the back. Most enemy causalities were from the lancers running them through.

The cavalry The Roman Calvary never charged the enemy unless they were desperate or the enemy charged first. Horses are costly and hard to train. Often used to harass or block the enemy Cavalry. Used the Long Sword Sparta.

Siege weapons Were much feared contraptions used widely by the romans. defenders would often sue for peace when the army showed up with the siege weaponry.

Siege tower The tower was used to assault the walls. Archers often used the towers to shoot. The tower gave a height advantage. Catapults were placed on top of it.

onager This is the well known “catapult”. Was used to knock down enemy walls. Could hurl heavy stones with ease. Were much feared by the defenders.

ballista Was used to pick off archers on the wall. Were light enough to be used anywhere. Romans actually made automatics. Were used to take out enemy officers.

The automatic ballista Originally of Greek design. Was used on the battlefield. Was often burned rather than left. was not widely used by romans.

formations Helped establish the Romans as the “unbeatable army” at least for over half a millennium.

formations The Orb!

formations The Tortoise!

formations The Wedge!

formations Repel Cavalry!

Reforms Marcus Aurelius Julius Caesar