Roman Republican Legion | UNRV Roman History

<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <title>Roman Republican Legion | UNRV Roman History</title> <meta name="Description" content="Information about the Roman Rebublican Legion. The most significant difference between the Republican and Imperial legions dealt with its makeup of social and financial qualifications."> <meta name="Keywords" content="reforms of Marius,organization of the legion,cohorts,legio,legionary ranks,centurions,auxiliary infantry,military experience"> <meta name="robots" content="max-image-preview:large" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.unrv.com/military/roman-republican-legion.php"> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-112014843-1"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'UA-112014843-1'); </script>  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-QWRHC9FWNX"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-QWRHC9FWNX'); </script>  <link href="/css/pk/bootstrap.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="/css/pk/style.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="/css/pk/responsive.css" rel="stylesheet">  <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/images/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon"> <link rel="icon" href="/images/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon">  <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0, user-scalable=0">  <script type="text/javascript" async="async" data-noptimize="1" data-cfasync="false" src="//scripts.mediavine.com/tags/unrv.js"></script> <meta http-equiv="Content-Security-Policy" content="block-all-mixed-content">  <script type='text/javascript' src='https://platform-api.sharethis.com/js/sharethis.js#property=5a621a9414c3d30012600d99&product=inline-share-buttons' async='async'></script>  <script defer data-domain="unrv.com" src="https://plausible.io/js/script.js"></script>  <script data-grow-initializer="">!(function(){window.growMe||((window.growMe=function(e){window.growMe._.push(e);}),(window.growMe._=[]));var e=document.createElement("script");(e.type="text/javascript"),(e.src="https://faves.grow.me/main.js"),(e.defer=!0),e.setAttribute("data-grow-faves-site-id","U2l0ZTowNzY4NWE5MC0zMTM2LTRjMDEtOTBmNS01YmY2ZWZmNmJiMjQ=");var t=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];t.parentNode.insertBefore(e,t);})();</script> </head> <body> <div class="page-wrapper">  <header class="main-header header-style-three">  <div class="header-top-two"> <div class="auto-container"> <div class="clearfix">  <div class="top-left">  <div class="social-icon"> <ul class="clearfix"> <li><a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/unrvdotcom/" target="_blank"><span class="fa fa-facebook"></span></a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/unrv" target="_blank"><span class="fa fa-twitter"></span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  <div class="top-right clearfix">  <div class="search-box"> <form method="GET" action="/search/search-results.php"> <div class="form-group"> <input type="text" name="zoom_query" value="" placeholder="Search" required> <button type="submit"><span class="icon fa fa-search"></span></button> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="header-upper"> <div class="auto-container"> <div class="clearfix"> <div class="pull-left logo-outer"> <div class="logo"><a href="https://www.unrv.com"><img src="/images/logo-unrv.png" alt="Ancient Rome History at UNRV.com" title="Ancient Rome History at UNRV.com" /></a></div> </div> <div class="pull-right upper-right clearfix"> <div class="add-image"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="header-lower"> <div class="auto-container"> <div class="nav-outer clearfix">  <nav class="main-menu"> <div class="navbar-header">  <button type="button" class="navbar-toggle" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#bs-example-navbar-collapse-1"> <span class="icon-bar"></span> <span class="icon-bar"></span> <span class="icon-bar"></span> </button> </div> <div class="navbar-collapse collapse clearfix" id="bs-example-navbar-collapse-1"> <ul class="navigation clearfix"> <li class="dropdown"><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/daily-life.php">Culture</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/daily-life.php">Roman Daily Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-numerals.php">Roman Numerals</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/religion.php">Religion</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/slavery.php">Slavery</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/entertainment/gladiators.php">Gladiator Games</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/education.php">Education</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/medicine.php">Medicine</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/clothing.php">Clothing</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/latin-language.php">Latin Language</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/literature.php">Literature</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-houses.php">Houses</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-aqueducts.php">Aqueducts</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-roads.php">Roads</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-marriage.php">Marriage</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-calendar.php">Calendar & Time</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-weights-measures.php">Weights, Measures & Areas</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-naming-practices.php">Names</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="https://www.unrv.com/economy.php">Economy</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/economy.php">Roman Economy</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/economy/trade-goods.php">Trade Goods</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/economy/roman-taxes.php">Roman Taxes</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/economy/roman-coins.php">Roman Coins</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military.php">Military</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military.php">Roman Military</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/roman-republican-legion.php">Republican Legions</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/legion.php">Imperial Legions</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/praetorian-guard.php">Praetorian Guard</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/roman-navy.php">Roman Navy</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/roman-cavalry.php">Roman Cavalry</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/roman-armor.php">Roman Armor</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/roman-battle-index.php">Battle Index</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="https://www.unrv.com/government.php">Government</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/government.php">Roman Government</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/roman-republic.php">Roman Republic</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/government/emperor.php">Roman Emperor List</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/government/offices.php">Magisterial Offices</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/government/laws.php">Laws and Legislation</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/empire/the-senate.php">The Roman Senate</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/government/provincialgovernment.php">Provincial Government</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/byzantine-empire/index.php">Byzantine Empire</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="https://www.unrv.com/people/index.php">People</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/people/index.php">Famous Romans</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/julius-caesar/index.php">Julius Caesar</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/augustus/index.php">Augustus</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/five-good-emperors/marcus-aurelius.php">Marcus Aurelius</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/early-empire/caligula.php">Caligula</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/roman-republic/spartacus.php">Spartacus</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/roman-generals/scipio-africanus.php">Scipio Africanus</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/fall-republic/marcus-antonius.php">Mark Antony</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/romulus-and-remus.php">Romulus and Remus</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/provinces/provincetable.php">Provinces</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/roman-empire-map.php" title="Roman Empire Map">Map</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/forum/">Forum</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/supportunrv.php">Donate</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/contact.php">Contact</a></li> </ul> </div> </nav>   <div class="nav-toggler"> <button class="hidden-bar-opener"><span class="icon qb-menu1"></span></button> </div> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="sticky-header"> <div class="auto-container clearfix">  <div class="logo pull-left"> <a href="https://www.unrv.com" ><img src="/images/logo-unrv-small.png" alt="Ancient Rome History at UNRV.com" title="Ancient Rome History at UNRV.com" /></a> </div>  <div class="right-col pull-right">  <nav class="main-menu"> <div class="navbar-header">  <button type="button" class="navbar-toggle" data-toggle="collapse" data-target=".navbar-collapse"> <span class="icon-bar"></span> <span class="icon-bar"></span> <span class="icon-bar"></span> </button> </div> <div class="navbar-collapse collapse clearfix"> <ul class="navigation clearfix"> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/daily-life.php">Daily Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/economy.php">Economy</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military.php">Military</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/government.php">Government</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/people/index.php">People</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/provinces/provincetable.php">Provinces</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/roman-empire-map.php" title="Roman Empire Map">Map</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/forum/">Forum</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/supportunrv.php">Donate</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/contact.php">Contact</a></li> </ul> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </div>  </header>   <section class="hidden-bar left-align"> <div class="hidden-bar-closer"> <button><span class="qb-close-button"></span></button> </div>  <div class="hidden-bar-wrapper"> <div class="logo"> <a href="/"><span class="letter">UNRV.com Roman History</span></a> </div>  <div class="side-menu">  <ul class="navigation clearfix"> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com">Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/daily-life.php">Daily Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/economy.php">Economy</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military.php">Military</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/government.php">Government</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/people/index.php">People</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/provinces/provincetable.php">Provinces</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/roman-empire-map.php" title="Roman Empire Map">Map</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/forum/">Forum</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/supportunrv.php">Donate</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/contact.php">Contact</a></li> </ul> </div>   <div class="options-box">  <div class="sidebar-search"> <form method="GET" action="/search/search-results.php"> <div class="form-group"> <input type="text" name="zoom_query" value="" placeholder="Search ..." required=""> <button type="submit" class="theme-btn"><span class="fa fa-search"></span></button> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </section>   <div class="sidebar-page-container"> <div class="auto-container"> <div class="row clearfix">  <div class="content-side col-lg-8 col-md-8 col-sm-12 col-xs-12"> <div class="content"> <div class="blog-single"> <div class="inner-box"> <div class="upper-box"> <ul class="breadcrumb-bar"> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com">Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military.php">Military</a></li> <li>Republican Legion</li> </ul> <h1>Roman Republican Legion</h1> <div class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons"></div> </div> <div class="text"> <h2>The Early Roman Army</h2> <div id="picblock-left"> <img src="/images/400width/republic-legion-soldiers.png" alt="Legionary soldiers of the Roman Republic" width="400" height="285"/> </div> <p align="justify">Prior to <a href="https://www.unrv.com/empire/gaius-marius.php">the reforms of Marius</a> in the late 2nd and early first century BC, the Republican Roman Legion had a completely different organization than that which is commonly illustrated for the Imperial period.</p> <p align="justify">The earliest Roman army was based originally on the Greek Phalanx system, and the legion continued to evolve from that origin, and from elements of Latin tribes in <a href="https://www.unrv.com/provinces/italia.php">Italia</a>.</p> <p align="justify">By the time the Romans began to resist the yoke of <a href="https://www.unrv.com/empire/etruscans.php">Etruscan rule</a>, the unique legionary system was firmly rooted. The Romans abandoned the use of the hoplite spear as its primary weapon of war and instead moved onto <a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/scutum.php">the large shield (scutum)</a> and short sword (<a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/gladius.php">gladius</a>) as their weapons, and corresponding tactics of choice.</p> <p align="justify">The most significant difference between the Republican and <a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/legion.php">Imperial legions</a> dealt with its makeup of social and <a href="https://www.unrv.com/economy/banking-and-finance.php">financial</a> qualifications.</p> <p align="justify">Except for extenuating circumstances, where the very survival of Rome depended on using anyone available for defense, the Republican legion maintained a strict social hierarchy. Only <a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-citizenship.php">landowning citizens</a> were allowed to serve under optimal circumstances, and the status of one's total wealth along with military experience determined their place in the infantry.</p> <p align="justify">As each citizen prior to Marius provided weapons and equipment from their own estates, gear could vary, but there was a basic uniform code to be followed, within reason.</p> <br /> <script type="text/javascript"> amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_search_bar = "false"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "unrv00-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_title = "Related Products on Amazon:"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "d448d1d6c19ac65d491a1594512b289b"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B00OGO8PIK,B01M63V5EP,B01M0D27HD,B071949B9J"; </script> <script src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US"></script> <p align="justify">This system was devised out of necessity, but perhaps incorporating the concept of loyalty to the city and morale of the men. Since the army was made up of citizens who could afford <a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/roman-armor.php">their own armor</a>, they were the obvious choice for service. However, in the earliest days, the common concept that only the land owners had a real stake in the outcome of the battle likely played a key role in the development of the early Roman Legion.</p> <p align="justify">Each rung of the ladder on the status of a soldier was based on his ability to equip himself. There is some debate around the social mobility of the Republican legionary ranks. Beyond the lowest orders, it's quite likely that status of wealth may have allowed a citizen to move into a different rank class within the army. In favor of general cohesiveness, however, upward mobility - once an initial rank was established - was probably limited until a legion was disbanded.</p> <p align="justify">It's far more likely that experience was the more determining factor in deciding on a soldier's promotion or not within a legion after the initial status was determined. Once a veteran was 're-enlisted', his class within the army was based again upon his wealth, but also age and experience.</p> <p align="justify">A soldier within the Republican Legion served much the same as those within the Imperial one. They were eligible for service for a 20 year period, and were retired or exempted from further service after that point.</p> <p align="justify">Unlike the Imperial army, however, <a href="https://www.unrv.com/roman-republic.php">the earlier Republic</a> didn't maintain a standing army so to speak, and soldiers may or may not be entirely active during this time period. In some cases, such as <a href="https://www.unrv.com/empire/punic-wars-and-expansion.php">during the Punic Wars</a>, a single soldier may have seen nearly continual service throughout his 20 year eligibility, but at others, he may have had to give only periodic service based on the need for the army.</p> <p align="justify">Though the Romans rarely had a time of complete peace throughout their history, there were times when it was conceivable that these citizen soldiers could spend a great deal of time working their own lands.</p> <br /> <h2>Organization of the Roman Republican Legion</h2> <p align="justify">There were three principal infantry classes within the Republican system, augmented with the basic skirmishing class, and a small detachment of <a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/roman-cavalry.php">cavalry</a>.</p> <p align="justify">The Republican legion was generally comprised of between 4,000 and 6,000 men, in various levels of infantry, with 4,200 apparently being the optimal number. Unfortunately, Polybius, who provides one of the best accounts from an ancient perspective, is terribly inconsistent, but the basic concept can be determined from his contributions.</p> <p align="justify">Additionally, the cavalry consisted of between 200 and 300 troopers in total.</p> <p align="justify">The fighting strength, and even the organization, of units within the Republican legion evolved in various forms over the years. But in the example below, the common legion from the Punic Wars through the time of Marius will be illustrated.</p> <p align="justify">Under this system, the legion was made of the Maniple formation, which generally consisted of two centuries of men. The centuries were organized as a base unit of 60 men, but these numbers fluctuated depending upon the type of infantry.</p> <p align="justify">Hastati had 60 men augmented by 20 skirmishing Velites, bringing the total to 80 per century. The Principes seem to have used 60 men centuries, and the Triarii Maniples were made up of single centuries of 60, rather than two separate centuries.</p> <p align="justify">Under this system the basic formation was as follows:</p> <ul class="list-style-one"> <li>10 Maniples of Hastati - 20 centuries of 60 Hastati, with an additional 20 Velites.</li> <li>10 Maniples of Principes - 20 centuries of 60 men.</li> <li>10 Maniples of Triarii - 10 centuries of 60 men.</li> </ul> <br /> <p align="justify">In formation, the Hastati with their Velite attachments occupied the front of the formation, with the Principes and Triarii following behind. Therefore:</p> <p align="justify">1,200 Velites, attached to Hastati centuries for organization purposes but occupying their own line on the battlefield.</p> <ul class="list-style-one"> <li>Hastati - 1,200 men in 10 Maniples, comprised of two centuries of 60 men each.</li> <li>Principes - 1,200 men in 10 Maniples, comprised of two centuries of 60 men each.</li> <li>Triarii - 600 men in 10 Maniples, comprised of single centuries of 60 men each.</li> </ul> <br /> <p align="justify">Each Century of the Maniple was under the command of a centurion (with the unit on the right under the command of the senior centurion) who was assisted by an optio, and other 'enlisted officers' as detailed in the Imperial system.</p> <p align="justify">The Maniple allowed greater flexibility than the older phalanx, in that these separate units of men within the entire formation could be split off from one another to meet various battlefield challenges.</p> <p align="justify">The cavalry of the Republican legion was limited to a rather small force by comparison to the infantry. The 200 to 300 man cavalry wings were organized in decuriae of 10 men each, under the command of a decurion.</p> <p align="justify">Three units of decuriae were organized together as a <i>turma</i> consisting of 30 men, and the senior decurion of the three had total command.</p> <br /> <h2>Equipment and Tactics of the Roman Republican Legion</h2> <br /> <h3>Velites</h3> <p align="justify">The poorest citizen class allowed to serve was known by several names throughout <a href="https://www.unrv.com/">Roman history</a>, yet each played a similar part. The Velites (Ferentarii, Procubitores, or Leves in earlier times) were not organized as their own particular units, but were attached to the Hastati Maniples.</p> <p align="justify">These units were lightly-armed skirmishers who were deployed en masse on the battlefield in front of the heavier infantry lines, but moved back beyond the Hastati after discharging their javelins as the enemy approached.</p> <p align="justify">The Velites were also an important part of defense against war elephants. Using their greater mobility, due to lighter armament, Velites could avoid elephant charges and flank them. Spearing the elephants in the sides as they passed was a proven tactic.</p> <p align="justify">The Velites were armed with the light javelin, or <i>hasta velitaris</i>, hence their name, and a gladius similar to that of their heavier infantry counterparts. Much like the <a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/pilum.php">Pilum</a>, or the heavier javelin used by the main infantry, the velitaris was equipped with a finely sharpened and thin point making it bend upon impact, thereby reducing its ability to be re-issued in retaliation by the enemy.</p> <p align="justify">Their head protection consisted of a light headpiece, generally covered by a wolf hide or similar animal. For body armor, they wore what they could afford, likely simple bronze chest plates or similar materials, if anything at all.</p> <p align="justify">Additionally, the Velites were equipped with a small buckler or parma, for use in melee combat, though it was preferred that the Velites leave such action to their heavier armed counterparts.</p> <br /> <h3>Hastati</h3> <p align="justify">These were the first line of the Roman heavy infantry, and were made up of the relatively young and inexperienced, but wealthier, citizens.</p> <p align="justify">They wore a complete suit of defensive armor, consisting of the Legionary classic shield, or scutum, a simple bronze <a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/roman-helmets.php">helmet (galea)</a>, a bronze breastplate or cuirass, and possibly leg greaves (ocrea). Those Hastati at the highest scale of wealth might have afforded better protection offered by chain breast mail, but it was likely uncommon for this class.</p> <p align="justify">Their weapons consisted of the classic legionary gear, including the pilum and gladius. Their helmets were adorned with purple and black feather plumes, ranging up to 18 inches in height. This was added to increase their apparent physical size and possibly appear more intimidating to the enemy.</p> <p align="justify">The Hastati were the primary engaging force of the Republican legion, and always met the enemy first in melee combat. If things went badly, or they simply needed to rest and regroup, the Hastati would move behind the Princeps, and do so interchangeably until they were ready to re-engage.</p> <br /> <h3>Princeps <p align="justify">These were simply considered the elite of the Republican legion. They were in the prime of their careers for age and experience, and constituted the wealthier class of the citizen soldier.</p> <p align="justify">They were therefore the best equipped, though in a similar fashion to that of the Hastati. Aside from the likelihood of using scaled armor, or chain, rather than simple bronze breastplates, both weaponry and other armor was the same.</p> <p align="justify">It was simply the obligation of the Princeps to win the battle. First they would act in relief of the Hastati, but then would carry the fight in earnest. It was an interesting and successful tactic, wearing down the enemy with good, but not your best forces, than hitting with your best men right in the middle of the fight.</p> <br /> <h3>Triarii <p align="justify">Though the triarii were similarly armored as the Hastatii and Princeps, they played a much different role, and were more akin to the Greek hoplites than Roman heavy infantry.</p> <p align="justify">The Triarii were usually the oldest and most experienced of the Roman army, and their job was to defend against disaster as a last resort, or to shock the enemy with a different look at the right moment.</p> <p align="justify">The Triarii were armed with the Roman equivalent of the phalanx style spear, the Hastae. If the heavy infantry were pushed back, the Triarii would charge forward with their spears, hopefully with the effect of shocking the enemy and allowing the Princeps and Hastati time to regroup.</p> <p align="justify">As stated, they were used as a last resort, and the Latin expression '<i>ad triarios redisse</i>', or "it has come to the triarii", became a general phrase meaning that something was in a desperate situation!</p> <br /> <h3>Cavalry <p align="justify">The Republican cavalry was designed for speed of movement, and were similarly equipped to the Hastati. Their general duty was to provide scouting and potential fast moving support to weakening parts of a battle line.</p> <p align="justify">At times the cavalry could be used to turn a flank or deliver a shock at the right moment, but their limited number generally made their capabilities limited.</p> <p align="justify">As the Romans were not considered particularly natural horsemen, the great effectiveness of cavalry in the Roman army didn't come until the inclusion of various auxilia cavalry like that of <a href="https://www.unrv.com/provinces/gallia.php">the Gauls</a> and <a href="https://www.unrv.com/provinces/germania.php">Germanics</a>.</p> <br /> <h2>General Tactics</h2> <p align="justify">Prior to the great wars against Carthage, Roman strategy (and their enemy counterparts) was relatively simple; most battles consisted of a straight march against one another, with little thought of complicating matters!</p> <p align="justify">As most armies were levied and used on an 'as needed' basis, initial and continued training was limited. Until the Punic Wars, Rome rarely maintained any semblance of a continual standing army, and it was just too risky to attempt many complex maneuvers with inadequately trained or experienced troops.</p> <p align="justify">The wars with Pyrrhus of <a href="https://www.unrv.com/provinces/epirus.php">Epirus</a>, and those with Carthage, changed everything entirely, and the Roman battle strategies were forced to adapt. Years of brutal losses to Hannibal can be partially attributed to this fact, and of course, to Hannibal's own brilliance on the battlefield.</p> <p align="justify">Until <a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/roman-generals/scipio-africanus.php">the rise of Scipio Africanus</a>, there were few Roman commanders who implemented a great deal of strategy other than a straight frontal assault on an enemy position.</p> <blockquote>Did you know...<br /> <a href="https://www.unrv.com/julius-caesar/index.php">The life of Julius Caesar</a> was deeply influenced by <a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/roman-generals/index.php">one of Rome's most famous generals</a> and politicians - and Caesar's uncle by marriage - Gaius Marius. </blockquote> <div class="author-box"> <div class="author-comment"> <div class="inner-box"> <div class="image"><img src="/images/80x106/legions-of-rome.png" alt="" /></div> <h4>Legions of Rome: The Definitive History of Every Imperial Roman Legion</h4> <h6>by Stephen Dando-Collins</h6> <div class="text">In this landmark publication, Stephen Dando-Collins does what no other author has ever attempted to do: provide a complete history of every Imperial Roman legion. Based on thirty years of meticulous research, he covers every legion of Rome in rich detail. <br /><br /> Featuring more than 150 maps, photographs, diagrams and battle plans, Legions of Rome is an essential read for ancient history enthusiasts, military history experts and general readers alike.</div> <a href="https://aax-us-east.amazon-adsystem.com/x/c/Qpmq2SgBS0lrKbUdCghQeCUAAAFsZ-9bAwEAAAFKARQkbkI/https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/Legions-Rome-Definitive-History-Imperial/dp/1250004713/ref=as_li_ss_tl?creativeASIN=1250004713&imprToken=PMvo4xO1xppF.womkhMzmw&slotNum=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1539358105&sr=8-1&keywords=legions+of+rome&linkCode=w61&tag=unrv00-20&linkId=88acae11be007306374703ece1e1d180" rel="nofollow"><button class="theme-btn btn-style-four proceed-btn" style="margin-top: 10px;">View on Amazon</button></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="sec-title"> <h2>Sections</h2> </div> <div class="row clearfix">  <div class="news-block-one col-md-6 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <div class="inner-box"> <div class="image"> <img src="/images/370x218/imperial-legion.png" alt="Roman Imperial legion soldiers" /> </div> <div class="lower-box"> <h3><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/legion.php">Imperial Legion</a></h3> <div class="text">This section looks at the organization of the Roman Imperial Legion, its different components and the role of different ranks in the Imperial Roman army.</div> <a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/legion.php" class="read-more">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <span class="arrow ion-ios-arrow-thin-right"></span></a> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="news-block-one col-md-6 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <div class="inner-box"> <div class="image"> <img src="/images/370x218/legionaries-on-the-march.png" alt="Roman Legionary soldiers marching" /> </div> <div class="lower-box"> <h3><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/legionary-weapons-equipment.php">Legionary Equipment</a></h3> <div class="text">Discover all about the various weapons and equipment which a Roman legionary would need to carry with him whilst he marched on campaign.</div> <a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/legionary-weapons-equipment.php" class="read-more">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <span class="arrow ion-ios-arrow-thin-right"></span></a> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="news-block-one col-md-6 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <div class="inner-box"> <div class="image"> <img src="/images/370x218/legionary-decorations.png" alt="Roman Legionary decorations and awards" /> </div> <div class="lower-box"> <h3><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/legionary-decorations.php">Legionary Decorations</a></h3> <div class="text">The Roman legion, like most organized armies throughout history, had a very distinguished awards system. Read about some of the known awards for both legionaries and officers here.</div> <a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/legionary-decorations.php" class="read-more">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <span class="arrow ion-ios-arrow-thin-right"></span></a> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="news-block-one col-md-6 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <div class="inner-box"> <div class="image"> <img src="/images/370x218/legionaries.png" alt="A Roman Legion marching along a road" /> </div> <div class="lower-box"> <h3><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/legions.php">List of Roman Empire Legions</a></h3> <div class="text">This comprehensive list details the various legions of <a href="https://www.unrv.com/empire.php">the Roman Empire</a>. It includes foundation information, permanent bases and notable events involving that particular legion.</div> <a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/legions.php" class="read-more">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <span class="arrow ion-ios-arrow-thin-right"></span></a> </div> </div> </div>  </div> <hr> <script type="text/javascript"> amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_search_bar = "false"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "unrv00-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_title = "Related Products on Amazon:"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "d448d1d6c19ac65d491a1594512b289b"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B00OGO8PIK,B01M63V5EP,B01M0D27HD,B071949B9J"; </script> <script src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US"></script> </div> </div> <div class="sidebar-side col-lg-4 col-md-4 col-sm-12 col-xs-12"> <aside class="sidebar default-sidebar right-sidebar">  <div class="sidebar-widget search-box"> <form method="GET" action="/search/search.php"> <div class="form-group"> <input type="text" name="zoom_query" value="" placeholder="Search Site" required> <button type="submit"><span class="icon fa fa-search"></span></button> </div> </form> </div>  <div class="sidebar-widget sidebar-adds-widget"> <div class="adds-block" style="background-image:url(/images/roman-empire-map-example-340x283.png);"> <div class="inner-box"> <p style="color: #ffffff;font-size: 20px;">Roman Empire Wall Map<br />$59.99 incl. shipping</p> <a href="https://www.unrv.com/roman-empire-map.php" title="Roman Empire Map" class="theme-btn btn-style-two">Find Out More</a> </div> </div> </div>  </aside> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="grow-inline-subscribe-widget-fc80455a-87a8-40b2-be74-e6378e31f5b5"></div> <img src="/images/banner-logos.png" alt="Logos of publications and organizations that have referenced or linked to UNRV.com" width="100%"/> <br /> <br /> <br />  <footer class="main-footer"> <div class="widgets-section"> <div class="auto-container"> <div class="row clearfix">  <div class="widget-column col-md-4 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <div class="footer-widget tweets-widget"> <h2>Newest Updates</h2>  <div class="tweet"> <div class="icon"><span class="fa fa-book"></span></div> <div class="text"> <a href="https://www.unrv.com/emperors/constantine.php">A new page about Constantine I has been added.</a> </div> <span class="days">26 Feb 2025</span> </div>  <div class="tweet"> <div class="icon"><span class="fa fa-book"></span></div> <div class="text"> <a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-theatre-costumes.php">A new page about Roman theatre costumes has been added.</a> </div> <span class="days">19 Feb 2025</span> </div>  <div class="tweet"> <div class="icon"><span class="fa fa-book"></span></div> <div class="text"> <a href="https://www.unrv.com/economy/currency-debasement.php">A new page about Roman currency debasement has been added.</a> </div> <span class="days">12 Feb 2025</span> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="widget-column col-md-4 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <div class="footer-widget isntagram-widget"> <h2>Popular Pages</h2> <div class="clearfix"> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-numerals.php">Roman Numerals</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/legion.php">Roman Legion</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/economy/roman-taxes.php">Roman Taxes</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/government/twelvetables.php">Twelve Tables of Law</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/provinces/germania.php">Germania</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/early-empire/pax-romana.php">Pax Romana</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/architecture.php">Roman Architecture</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-gods.php">Roman Gods</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-festivals.php">Roman Festivals</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/military/praetorian-guard.php">Praetorian Guard</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/empire/roman-population.php">Population of Ancient Rome</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/economy/roman-coins.php">Roman Coins</a></li> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="widget-column col-md-4 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <div class="footer-widget isntagram-widget"> <h2>Modern Day Rome</h2> <div class="clearfix"> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/rome/index.php">The City of Rome</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/rome/attractions/index.php">Rome Attractions</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/colosseum.php">Colosseum</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-forum.php">The Roman Forum</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/rome/attractions/baths-of-caracalla.php">Baths of Caracalla</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/rome/attractions/pantheon.php">The Pantheon</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/rome/attractions/trevi-fountain.php">Trevi Fountain</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/rome/attractions/sistine-chapel.php">Sistine Chapel</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/rome/attractions/st-peters-basilica.php">St. Peter's Basilica</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/rome/attractions/castel-sant-angelo.php">Castel Sant'Angelo</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/rome/attractions/st-john-lateran.php">Basilica of St. John Lateran</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/rome/attractions/spanish-steps.php">The Spanish Steps</a></li> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="footer-bottom"> <div class="auto-container"> <div class="row clearfix">  <div class="column col-md-3 col-sm-12 col-xs-12"> <div class="logo"> <a href="https://www.unrv.com"><span class="letter">UNRV</span>.com</a> </div> </div>  <div class="column col-md-6 col-sm-12 col-xs-12"> <div class="text">United Nations of Roma Victrix (UNRV) represents the all encompassing power of Rome in the ancient world. United and Romanized, through conquest, or absorbed through its culture, Rome still stands today as a legacy to the achievement of mankind, and its failures.</div> </div>  <div class="column col-md-3 col-sm-12 col-xs-12"> <ul class="social-icon-one"> <li><a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/unrvdotcom/" target="_blank"><span class="fa fa-facebook"></span></a></li> <li class="twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/unrv" target="_blank"><span class="fa fa-twitter"></span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="copyright-section"> <div class="auto-container"> <div class="row clearfix"> <div class="col-md-6 col-sm-12 col-xs-12"> <ul class="footer-nav"> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/bibliography.php">Bibliography and Contributors</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/book-reviews/index.php">Book Reviews</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.unrv.com/privacy-policy.php">Privacy & Cookie Policies</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-6 col-sm-12 col-xs-12"> <div class="copyright">© Copyright 2025 UNRV.com. All rights reserved.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer>  </div>    <script src="/js/pk/jquery.js"></script> <script src="/js/pk/bootstrap.min.js"></script> <script src="/js/pk/jquery.fancybox.js"></script> <script src="/js/pk/owl.js"></script> <script src="/js/pk/appear.js"></script> <script src="/js/pk/wow.js"></script> <script src="/js/pk/jquery.mCustomScrollbar.concat.min.js"></script> <script src="/js/pk/script.js"></script> <script src="/js/pk/color-settings.js"></script> <div id="amzn-assoc-ad-d75794fc-4f9c-4589-8ebc-2507b8024bec"></div><script async src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US&adInstanceId=d75794fc-4f9c-4589-8ebc-2507b8024bec"></script> <script> (function (w,i,d,g,e,t,s) {w[d] = w[d]||[];t= i.createElement(g); t.async=1;t.src=e;s=i.getElementsByTagName(g)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t, s); })(window, document, '_gscq','script','//widgets.getsitecontrol.com/144226/script.js'); </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Roman Republican Legion | UNRV Roman History