9 things you never knew about the Roman army

Contrary to popular belief, the Roman army was not made up entirely of Romans. In fact, it was one of the most multicultural armies in history.

The Roman Empire spanned a vast area, and soldiers from all over the empire joined the army.

In the early days of the Roman Republic, legions were raised from the Roman citizenry, who were required to serve in the army.

However, as the empire expanded, the legions included soldiers from all over its lands, including provinces in Africa, Spain, Greece, Britain, and elsewhere.

In some cases, soldiers were recruited from specific regions or ethnic groups, such as the Numidian cavalry from North Africa or the Batavi from modern-day Netherlands.

This allowed the Roman army to make use of the different skills and strengths of soldiers from different regions.

Each legion was assigned a number and a name, often reflecting its place of origin or the name of its commander.

For example, Legio VII Gemina ('Twin Legion') was named after the fact that it was formed by combining two legions, while Legio X Fretensis ('Tenth Legion of the Strait') was named after the Strait of Messina, which separated Italy from Sicily.

Unlike many armies of the time, the Roman army was a professional force. Soldiers were paid a regular salary and were trained to fight as a cohesive unit.

This made the Roman army one of the most effective fighting forces in history.

The length of their service varied over time, but in general, legionaries were expected to serve for at least 20 years.

Legionaries underwent rigorous physical and mental training to prepare them for the challenges of military life.

New recruits trained in a special military camp where they would learn the basics of military life.

They would be trained to march in formation, follow orders, and use weapons such as swords, shields, and javelins.

They would be taught how to build and dismantle fortifications and siege engines. 

They also underwent physical training to develop their strength, endurance, and agility.

After completing their basic training, the soldiers would join a legion and undergo further training with their unit.

This included learning specific tactics and techniques that were unique to their legion.

The Roman army had a defined hierarchy, with the general at the top and the foot soldiers at the bottom.

However, there were many ranks in between, including centurions, who were responsible for commanding groups of soldiers.

Some of the ranks and roles include:

Legatus

A general who commanded a legion. They were appointed by the emperor or a high-ranking official.

Centurion

A professional officer who commanded a century, a unit of approximately 80 soldiers. Centurions were known for their discipline and bravery.

Signifer

A soldier who carried a standard, or signum, representing the legion.

Miles

A regular soldier who made up the bulk of the Roman army. They were trained to fight in close combat with weapons such as swords and spears.

The Roman army was renowned for its strict discipline, and this was a key part of its success.  

Soldiers who broke the rules could be punished severely, including being beaten, forced to carry heavy weights, or even executed.

Here are some of the most famous of the punishments soldiers received:

Fustuarium - This was a punishment in which the offender was beaten to death by their fellow soldiers. The offender would be hit with sticks or stones by other soldiers until they died or managed to escape, which they were sometimes given a chance to. If they managed to flee, they were then exiled from the army and Rome. This punishment was used for serious offenses such as desertion, mutiny, or cowardice in battle.

Decimation - This was a punishment where one in ten soldiers in a unit was randomly selected to be executed by their fellow soldiers. This was used rarely and tended to be for large scale mutiny or cowardice in battle. 

Whipping - This was a common punishment for minor offenses such as insubordination or disobedience. The offender would be stripped to the waist and whipped with a whip made of leather cords.

The soldiers of the Roman army were expected to carry a variety of equipment with them, which was essential for their survival and success on the battlefield.

The equipment included armor, shields, weapons, backpacks, tunics, sandals, tools, water containers, and pouches.

Armor was crucial for Roman soldiers because it provided protection from enemy weapons.

A typical set of armor for early Republic soldiers consisted of a helmet, a breastplate, and greaves (leg armor).

The armor was designed to be both protective and lightweight, allowing soldiers to move quickly and easily on the battlefield.

Shields were also an essential part of a soldier's equipment. Roman soldiers carried a large, rectangular shield called a scutum, which was made of layers of wood and covered with leather or metal.

The scutum provided excellent protection from enemy weapons and was also used as a weapon in close combat.

The primary weapon of the Roman soldier was the pilum, a type of javelin that was designed to pierce enemy shields and armor.

Soldiers also carried a short sword called a gladius, which was used for close combat.

The combination of the pilum and the gladius gave Roman soldiers an advantage in both long-range and close-range combat.

Soldiers carried a leather or canvas backpack, called a sarcina, which contained their personal belongings, food rations, and other essentials.

The backpack was designed to be lightweight and simple to carry, allowing soldiers to move easily as needed.

The Roman army had a medical corps that was responsible for treating wounded soldiers.

They also had surgeons who could perform amputations and other surgical procedures.

Archaeological digs from the Roman army have provided us with valuable insights into the medical practices of ancient Rome.

Several medical implements have been discovered that were used by Roman military doctors to treat injuries and illnesses.

These implements include surgical instruments, medicine bottles, bandages, prosthetics, dental tools, and medical texts.

The Roman army used a variety of tactics, depending on the situation. They could fight in tight formations, such as the famous testudo (tortoise) formation, which protected soldiers from arrows and other missiles.

They could also use cavalry and siege engines to break down walls and fortifications.

For example, at the Battle of Alesia in 52 BC, the Roman army was facing a large force of Gauls who were defending the hilltop fortress of Alesia.

The Roman general Julius Caesar built a double wall around the fortress and used his troops to prevent the Gauls from escaping.

The Romans were ultimately victorious, as the Gauls were unable to break through the walls or escape.

The Roman army was involved in engineering. They built roads, aqueducts, and other structures that were essential for the empire's expansion.

They also undertook military engineering, such as building siege weapons and bridges.

Road building was an essential part of Roman military strategy. The army needed to move quickly and efficiently across its vast empire, and good roads were critical for achieving this goal. They needed to be able to withstand heavy traffic and adverse weather conditions. 

In addition to roads, legionaries were responsible for building camps to house and protect soldiers during military campaigns.

These camps were built according to a standardized design that included defensive walls, gates, and watchtowers.

The Roman army had a profound influence on Western civilization, not just in terms of military tactics and organization but also in law, politics, and culture.

Its organizational structure, military tactics, training programs, engineering expertise, and leadership traditions significantly influenced how wars were fought and won in later periods.

The legacy of the Roman army can still be seen in modern military organizations, demonstrating the enduring influence of this ancient military force.