1. Roman Military:Composition Roman military was made up of Roman citizens, Italian allies, and non-Italian allies The vast majority of Romans were fiercely patriotic, conservative, and willing to serve.  Most people were farmers and thus owned land which gave them the right (and duty) to serve

2. Citizens’ service  Roman army: all citizens who owned enough land to equip themselves for military service (ie small farm owners and above)  all males between the ages of 18 and 46, in either the cavalry or infantry

3. Infantry/Cavalry  Infantry was considered more important 20 years service  Cavalry: less important/much smaller in number due to the expense of horse ownership  Only 300 equestrians in a legion

4. Key to “public life”  Military service was an honor and privilege  -key to political advancement  -could not run for public office until they had served for at least 10 years

5. The Legion  Roman Legion (“Legio”) usually made up of 4,200 men  divided into 30 Maniples (“Manipuli”)

6. Organization of Maniple: Hastati  10 Maniples of 120 men called Hastati (“the flower of young men”) who formed the first line of battle  -1,200 young soldiers (25-30 years old)  -each Maniple forms a block 12 men across by 10 deep

7. Principes  10 Maniples of 120 men called Principes (older veterans in the prime of life) who formed the second line of battle  -1,200 men total (age 30-40)  -armed, equipped and organized exactly like the Hastati

8. Triarii  10 Maniples of 60 men called Triarii (older, most senior veterans) who formed the third line of battle  -600 men total (age 40+)  -Triarii Maniples formed up 6 men across by 10 deep  -armed and equipped like the Hastati and Principes, but substituted an 8 ft thrusting spear for the javelins/pilum

9. Velites  1,200 of the poorer citizens formed a group of light infantry skirmishers called Velites  -unarmored except for a light, round shield 3 feet in diameter  -armed with either javelins (most commonly) or long spears  -divided roughly 40 per Maniple

10. Centuries  100 soldiers: 60 combatants; 40 non- combatants.  Each maniple commanded by 2 Centurions  2 centuries in a maniple

11. 1200 feet 635 feet 250 feet HASTATI PRINCIPES TRIARII & VELITES Battle Formation of the Legion