Transcript The Roman Army

The Roman Army
Why was such a large army needed?
How were men recruited?
How was the army organized?
What was life like for a Roman Army soldier?
Why was such a large army
needed?
http://www.flotte2.com/500AD_files/image006.jpg
TASK: Look at the map. Using the map can you think of any reasons why the
Roman Army increased in size?
The Development of the Roman Army
• Scipio Africanus = proper tactics
• 2nd century B.C.E. = pilum; 6 years; no one
under 17 years; any Roman could join;
land given to legionaries at the end of
service; men loyal to their leader
• Augustus = standing army (28 legions); 6
years to 20 years; aquilifer; immunes
Task: Using the following words explain how the Roman Army developed from
201 B.C.E. to the time of Augustus (31-14 C.E.)
outmanoeuvre
wooden nail
pilum
hasta
conscription
seventeen
capite censi (head count) land
professional
well trained
loyalty
standing army
twenty years
standard
How were men recruited?
TASK
Look at the cards with reasons why
men joined the Roman Army.
Sort the cards in to two groups:
1) Things that would make you join
the Roman Army
2) Things that would not make you
join the Roman Army
How was the Roman Army organised?
1 Contubernium
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8 Men
10 Contubernia
1 Century
80 Men
2 Centuries
1 Maniple
160 Men
6 Centuries
1 Cohort
480 Men
10 Cohorts + 120 Horsemen
1 Legion
5240 Men *
*1 Legion = 9 normal cohorts (9 x 480 Men) + 1 "First Cohort" of 5 centuries (but each century at the strength of a maniple, so 5 x 160 Men) + 120
Horsemen = 5240 Men
Task: Using the chart above answer the following questions:
1. How many men made a Century?
2. What could a century be divided in to?
3. How many Centuries made a Cohort?
4. How many men were there in a Cohort?
5. How many Horsemen were there in a Legion?
6. How many men were there in a Legion?
7. How many Centuries were there in a Legion?
Types of Soldiers
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Legionary
Cavalry
Auxiliary
Numeri
Legionary
• Only Roman citizens
could sign up for the
army.
• They had to be fit.
• They were not allowed to
marry.
• Their armour gave them
excellent protection.
• They carried a curved
shield. They could punch
the enemy with the metal
boss in the centre.
Centurion
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A centurion was in charge of a
century made up of 80 legionary
soldiers.
His equipment was very different
so his men could quickly find him
in battle.
He carried a vine stick as a badge
of rank. He would use this to
punish his men!
The horsehair crest on his helmet
went from side to side.
He wore medals on his chest,
awarded for bravery in battle.
Centurions could marry, and their
wives lived in the barracks with
them.
They did not march, they rode on
horseback.
Auxiliary
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These were non-Roman citizens.
They were recruited from tribes
that had been conquered by
Rome or were allied to Rome.
They also served for 25 years. At
the end of their service they
gained Roman citizenship as a
reward.
The chain mail shirts of the
infantry were made out of about
twenty thousand links of metal.
They wore a sword and a dagger usually on two belts. They carried
a flat oval shield and a spear
which could be thrown and also
used in hand to hand fighting.
Numeri
• Soldiers from outside the Roman Empire
• They wore native dress
• The introduction of the numeri was a
response to the need for cheap troops,
who were nevertheless fierce and
provided a force balance of light infantry
and cavalry.
• They were less well armed and less well
trained than auxilia or legions
Task
1. Colour the drawings of the Centurion and
the Legionary
2. Label the drawing of the Legionary
correctly
3. Answer the questions about the
Centurion
How did the Romans keep such a
large army under control?
• The Roman army was very large and
spread over a large area so keeping
control was important
• The Roman soldiers were very disciplined
and faced harsh punishments if they did
not follow the rules
You be the Judge……
Below are a list of offences that Roman soldiers were
known to have committed. On your table you have to
decide what a fair punishment would be for each of the
offences. Write your decisions on your chart.
1. Leaving your post because you were scared of dying
2. Committing the same fault three times (for example
dropping their weapon on the battle field)
3. Marching too slowly
4. The whole Century retreat or refuse to fight
5. Supporting another leader or ruler
6. Losing equipment or food
Roman Army Discipline
Offence
Leaving your post
because you were
scared of dying
Committing the same fault
three times (for
example dropping
their weapon on the
battle field)
Marching too slowly
The whole Century
retreat or refuse to
fight
Supporting another
leader or ruler
Losing equipment or
food
Your punishment
Roman Army Punishment
What was life like for a Roman
legionary?
• Swear an oath of loyalty
• Build camp
• Marching 18.4miles/29.6km in 5 hrs
• Physical exercise
• Weapon training – armatura
• Wheat to eat – 1.5kg/day
• Engineering
What things did the Romans build?
TASK
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a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Imagine you are a legionary in the Roman Army
Write a diary of your experiences
You need to include the following information:
Reasons why you joined the Roman Army
How long you have been a legionary?
What training did you have to complete to become a
legionary?
What your normal daily life is like? (what food you eat;
jobs you do; where you live)
What punishments have you been given or have seen
others receive?