The Legionary Fortress By: Arcanus Iezzi

Allow US to speak of the legion The Legion was a miniature army legions resided in camps known as a “Legionary fortress” The fortress can be compared to a fortified town

The Legionary Fortress The fortress covered roughly fifty (50) to sixty (60) acres (this is equal to about a third of pompeii) EVERY fortress was based on a standard pattern Fortresses would first be built using wood to allow for speed but later rebuilt using stone

The Standard Pattern of a Fortress In the middle of the camp was the chief buildings: Principia - Headquarters large and impressive building at the very center Praetorium - living-quarters of the commanding officers Horrea - Granaries roads in the camp were laid out using an orderly grid pattern

The Grid System There were three main roads within the camp -- Via Praetoria Ran from the main gate to the front entrance of the Principia -- Via Principalis Extended across the width of the camp creating a “t- junction” the the Via Praetoria just in front of the Principia -- Via Quintana passed behind the principia the width of the fortress

Cambridge Latin Book PAGE 135

The defences of the fortress The fortress was the headquarters for a set legion(s) The fortress itself had to be defensive so there were as follows: A ditch surrounding the camp Vallum - a rampart, or an earth wall or mound Battlements with towers at the corners and at intervals along the sides Each side had its own fortified gateway with one main gate

The Life within the Walls -- Basilica - On the far side of the courtyard; large, great hall - place commander worked with his officers - Interviewed important local people - Administered military justice -- Sacellum - most sacred place in the fortress - Housed the standard of the legion ---- Aquila

Quid est Aquila? The Aquila: Image of an eagle perched with outspread wings on top of a pole Clutched arrows in its talons that represent the thunderbolts of jupiter Made of Gold Represented the spirit of the legion Aroused feeling of loyalty and almost a religious aspect Carried by Aquilifer who was always in first cohort

The Sacellum: A deeper look -- On either sides of the sacellum were rooms ---- payrolls and all paperwork needed to run a large organization were kept -- Underground was the legion’s strong room ---- Pay and savings were safely kept here

The life within the walls (CONT’D) Praetorium - side of or just behind the principia Luxurious house in Italian style of domus urbana provided legatus & family with comforts they thought necessary for a civilized life central heating, a garden, & a private suite of baths Valetudinarium - hospital contained many small wards designed to ensure peace & quiet for the sick & injured Large reception hall to accommodate an influx of casualties from the battlefield (terra bellis) A small operating theater equipped with running water

The Life inside the Walls (CONT’D x2) Horrea designed to keep grain dry and cool for long periods A long, narrow building To carry rainwater away from the walls the roof had wide overhanging eaves supported on small piers or low walls to allow air to circulate underneath to prevent damp rising from the ground Usually had several granaries within the fortress placed next to each other Held enough grain to last at least a year & maybe two

Ruins of a Horrea

The Life within the Walls (CONT’D x3) barracks held roughly 5,000 to 6,000 men & occupied the largest area Long, narrow, rectangular buildings divided into pairs of rooms Each pair provided accommodations for an eight-man section CONTUBERNIUM each had its own hearth to cook on in the front living-room Bath House important for both hygienic and social reasons consisted of everything the civilian baths had: Tepidarium Caldarium Frigidarium

Roman Barracks

Outside the Fortress Amphitheater citizens same shape and layout as the civilian able to seat the entire legion used for: Ceremonial parades Weapon training Displays of tactics Occasional Gladiatorial shows citizens merchants set up shops for food and a place to meet girls Families followed their “husbands’” legion camps due to this, towns began to flourish and grow from following the legions