Bunson, Matthew - Encyclopedia Of The Roman Empire by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Roman centurion

LEGIONS The basic fighting force of the Roman Empire and the means by which Rome conquered most of the ancient world. The legions for three centuries had no rivals for discipline, training, ability and sheer military prowess. Through its soldiers the Empire was able to control vast stretches of territory and entire peoples.

» Development of the Legions

From the earliest times the Romans found organization on the battlefield to be a decided advantage over their enemies. At first the army was divided into various classes, according to the ranks of citizenship, the Servian model as established by King Servius Tullius (578-535 B.C.). While a further breakdown was made into smaller formations called centuries, these units joined together to form a Greek-influenced phalanx, fighting in the traditional hoplite, or Greek, fashion. The legendary Camillus (early 4th century B.C.) instituted reforms by creating the manipulus or maniple, a tactical joining of two centuries totaling between 120 and 160 men. Camillus made the legions more efficient by introducing a precise chain of command, with centurions of several grades and officers (TRIBUNES) to command them.

Such was the basic system in place during Rome's expansion throughout the Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.). With victory in that long series of struggles, came the inevitable strains of overseas possessions. No longer could the legions of the Republic be kept in the field for a short period and then disbanded. Longer service and permanent legions were necessary. The problems in standardizing such a force were centered in recruiting and in opposition from the upper classes, who found that chronic war was a hindrance to wealth and stability.

The answer was found by the powerful consul Marius, the architect of Rome's legionary superiority. He allowed all classes to join the army, ending the crisis of recruiting while placating the upper social stratas. Previously, a potential soldier was required to prove an estate valued at 4,000 asses. The maniple was reduced to a mere administrative entity. Cohorts now emerged as the standard tactical organization. Ten cohorts, averaging 480 men, added up to a legion, forming in battle into three lines of four cohorts in the first, and three in the second and third. Changes in configuration could be made according to the demands of battle or the brilliance of the general in charge.

Marius' reforms had a long-lasting impact on the legions and on Roman warfare in general. The legions were now flexible and interchangeable, no longer organized by economic class. There remained still a sense of the temporary, for the wars of the Republic gained territory for Rome but drained the financial resources so that legions had to be disbanded. The veterans of these units were turned into colonists and placed on frontier lands to stabilize the regions and to open up new areas of influence. Maintained legions, however, became better fighting forces with each season, developing a definite unity and loyalty to their commanders, an emotion feared by Rome's political elements.

Julius CAESAR found the Roman army a ready-made instrument for smashing his enemies and achieving greatness.

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