1. What was the Roman Army like?
The Romans Army
What was the Roman Army like?
Objectives:
To identify or find out what the Roman army was like
To identify ways the Roman army worked.

2. Where was the Roman army?
Under the leadership of ambitious generals, Rome’s highly trained soldiers took over most of the land surrounding the Mediterranean.
The ancient Romans called the Mediterranean mare nostrum, meaning “our sea”.

3. Glossary Words Conquer = Defeat and take over their land
General = A leader of an army
Recruited = Asked to join something
Legionary = An ordinary soldier in the Roman Army
Auxiliaries = Soldiers in the Roman Army who aren't Roman - from land the
Romans had conquered
Cavalry = Soldiers on horses
Barrack room = Where the soldiers sleep
Century = About 80 soldiers
Centurion = A leader of a century
Cohort = 6 centuries
Legion = 10 cohorts

4. The Army built an Empire

5. The Legionnaire

7. Activities
Read the text and highlight at least 4 similarities between the Roman Army and F.C. Barcelona.
Answer the following question in your exercise book: What were the three most important reasons in making the Roman army so successful? Explain your answer.

8. Discipline and Tactics
The Romans used strict punishment to keep the soldiers loyal. Any mutiny or cowardice resulted in decimation (one in every ten soldier was killed). They scared the local people (100,000 out of 2 million British people were killed). They also had formations like the “Testudo” (the “Tortoise) which you can see in the photo.
Total Commitment
All Legionaries were volunteers (they chose to become a soldier). They stayed in the army for years. They were not allowed to get married. They were sent anywhere in the Roman Empire, often far away from their homes. The army became their family.
The Best Equipment
Roman soldiers had spears / javelins, swords, daggers, shields and body armour. Their armour and weapons were constantly tested and improved.
Good Rewards
Roman soldiers were paid well. They were given good food and every fort had a hospital and baths. After 25 years, Legionaries retired 10 years’ pay or a small farm.
International Squad
As the Roman army conquered new colonies, they got the best local fighters to join the army. When the Romans conquered Britain British men joined up! Other soldiers came from France, Spain, Hungary, Syria, Iraq and Algeria.
Excellent Training and Fitness
Romans trained hard and learnt how to follow orders. They had to be able to march 32kms in 5 hours with all of their equipment!
Mobility / Transport
The Romans were experts in building good straight roads and strong bridges so their soldiers could move about very quickly.

9. ALLIANCE
Sometimes people would feel threatened by other tribes and ask the Romans to help them.
These tribes would form an alliance (make an agreement) with the Romans saying that they would help each other out in times of trouble: this usually meant that the Roman Army would go and stay in this place.

10. After 509BC, Rome began to expand
After 509BC, Rome began to expand. The Roman Army conquered most of Western Europe, as well as parts of Asia and North Africa. The Romans fought over 20 wars, and a total of 2567 battles. The Roman Army is recognised by historians as an extremely effective fighting machine.