1. The Roman Army

2. The Roman army, famed for its discipline, organization, and innovation in both weapons and tactics, allowed Rome to build and defend a huge empire which for centuries would dominate the Mediterranean world and beyond.
the early Roman army fought more along the lines of Greek hoplites in a phalanx, most likely as a form of civil militia, with recruitment dependent on a citizen’s social standing.

3. All citizens who owned land were required to serve in the army.
To secure certain public offices, ten years of military service were required.
Roman soldiers were organized into large military units called legions.
The Roman legion was made up of some 5,000 heavily armed foot soldiers (infantry).
A group of soldiers on horseback (cavalry) supported each legion.

4. Legions were divided into smaller groups of 80 men, each of which was called a century.
The centurion was the Roman officer in charge of a century. In battle, the strength of the legion was its flexibility.
Each century in a legion could act independently.
The military organization and fighting skill of the Roman army were key factors in Rome’s rise to greatness.

5. The Army Breakdown

6. Further Breakdown
The standard force of the Roman Imperial army was the legions, a heavy infantry, initially composed of Roman citizens. The number of legions in existence at one time often varied, but a rough average is 28. The make-up of each Legion was as follows:
10 cohorts to one legion
six centuries to one cohort
10 tents to one cohort
eight soldiers to one tent
120 cavalry - not really a fighting force, but messengers and scouts.

8. Battle Strategies
The Square
The Tortise
Pigs Head

9. Tortoise formation Linking shields together over their heads

10. Weapons Battering rams, siege towers & catapults Catapult The Onager
The Seige Tower

11. Praetorian Guard Elite army formed during rein of Augustus Caesar
Guarded the emperors
Last line of defence for the city of Rome
Well paid, arrogant, influenced politicians
Rulers knew the support of the Roman Army meant power