Formations
The Tortoise
In the tortoise formation, the men would align their shields to form a packed formation covered with shields on the front and top. The first row of men, possibly excluding the men on the flanks, would hold their shields from about
the height of their shins to their eyes, so as to cover the formation's front. The shields would be held in such a way that they presented a shield wall to all sides. The men in the back ranks would place their shields over their heads to protect the formation from above, balancing the shields on their helmets, overlapping them. If necessary, the legionaries on the sides and rear of the formation could stand sideways or backwards with shields held as the front rows, so as to protect the formation's sides and rear. When the enemies came close the romans would open their shields and stab at the with their Gladius's
In the tortoise formation, the men would align their shields to form a packed formation covered with shields on the front and top. The first row of men, possibly excluding the men on the flanks, would hold their shields from about
the height of their shins to their eyes, so as to cover the formation's front. The shields would be held in such a way that they presented a shield wall to all sides. The men in the back ranks would place their shields over their heads to protect the formation from above, balancing the shields on their helmets, overlapping them. If necessary, the legionaries on the sides and rear of the formation could stand sideways or backwards with shields held as the front rows, so as to protect the formation's sides and rear. When the enemies came close the romans would open their shields and stab at the with their Gladius's
The Orb
The orb is a defensive postition in the shape of a circle taken by a unit in desperate straits. It allows for a reasonably effective defence even if parts of an army have been divided in battle and would have required a very high level discipline by the individual soldiers. This tactic would consist of about 10 men on the outside and 2 men in the inside. The outside men would make a circle and put their swords out the sides of their shields. On the inside there would be 2 men with bow and arrows shooting out at the enemy
The orb is a defensive postition in the shape of a circle taken by a unit in desperate straits. It allows for a reasonably effective defence even if parts of an army have been divided in battle and would have required a very high level discipline by the individual soldiers. This tactic would consist of about 10 men on the outside and 2 men in the inside. The outside men would make a circle and put their swords out the sides of their shields. On the inside there would be 2 men with bow and arrows shooting out at the enemy
The Wedge
The wedge was commonly used by attacking legionaries, Legionaries formed up in a triangle, the front 'tip' being one man and pointing toward the enemy, - this enabled small groups to be thrust well into the enemy and, when these formations expanded, the enemy troops were pushed into restricted positions, making hand-to-hand fighting difficult. This is where the short legionary gladius was useful, held low and used as a thrusting weapon, while the longer Celtic and Germanic swords became impossible to wield.
The wedge was commonly used by attacking legionaries, Legionaries formed up in a triangle, the front 'tip' being one man and pointing toward the enemy, - this enabled small groups to be thrust well into the enemy and, when these formations expanded, the enemy troops were pushed into restricted positions, making hand-to-hand fighting difficult. This is where the short legionary gladius was useful, held low and used as a thrusting weapon, while the longer Celtic and Germanic swords became impossible to wield.
Legions & Cohorts & Maniples
Roman Legion
A Roman legion normally indicates the basic ancient Roman army unit recruited specifically from Roman citizens. The organization of legions varied greatly over time but they were typically composed of up to 5,400 soldiers, originally divided into 10 maniples and later into cohorts each with 480 soldiers. Maniples or cohorts were divided into 6 centuries of 80 men each. For most of the Roman Imperial period, the legions were a part of the Imperialarmy and formed its elite heavy infantry, recruited exclusively from Roman citizens Each legion always included a small cavalry attachment. The Roman army consisted mostly of "auxiliary" cohorts who provided additional infantry, and the vast majority of the Roman army's cavalry.
A Roman legion normally indicates the basic ancient Roman army unit recruited specifically from Roman citizens. The organization of legions varied greatly over time but they were typically composed of up to 5,400 soldiers, originally divided into 10 maniples and later into cohorts each with 480 soldiers. Maniples or cohorts were divided into 6 centuries of 80 men each. For most of the Roman Imperial period, the legions were a part of the Imperialarmy and formed its elite heavy infantry, recruited exclusively from Roman citizens Each legion always included a small cavalry attachment. The Roman army consisted mostly of "auxiliary" cohorts who provided additional infantry, and the vast majority of the Roman army's cavalry.
Cohort
A cohort consisted of approximately 480 men and commanded by one man. It consisted of six centuriae of 80 men, each commanded by a centurion assisted by junior officers. At various times prior to the reforms, a century might have meant a unit of 60, 80 or 100 men. It is almost certain that the most
senior centurion of the six would have commanded the entire cohort. In order of seniority, the six centurions were titled hastatus posterior, hastatus prior, princeps posterior, princeps prior, pilus
posterior and pilus prior (most senior). This followed the order of seniority in the earlier legions, where the youngest and least experienced units were termed hastati, next principes, and the oldest and most experienced triarii (pilus was an alternative name for triarius, the singular of triarii).
Maniple
Maniple was a tactical unit of the Roman legion adopted from the Samnites during the Samnite Wars (343–290 BC). It was also the name of the military insignia carried by such unit. Maniple members, seen as each other's brothers in arms, were called Commanipulares but without the domestic closeness of the much smaller Contubernium. The Maniple typically consisted of 120 soldiers arrayed in 3 ranks of 40 men when engaged in battle.
Maniple was a tactical unit of the Roman legion adopted from the Samnites during the Samnite Wars (343–290 BC). It was also the name of the military insignia carried by such unit. Maniple members, seen as each other's brothers in arms, were called Commanipulares but without the domestic closeness of the much smaller Contubernium. The Maniple typically consisted of 120 soldiers arrayed in 3 ranks of 40 men when engaged in battle.
Artillery & Siege Weapons
Ballistae
Every century in the Roman army had a ballista by the 1st century AD. It was the command of the chief of the ballista, under whom were the artillery experts, or doctores ballistarum and finally, the artillerymen, or
ballistarii. Ballistae were heavy missile weapons, hurling large rocks great distances to damage rampart walls. They resembled large crossbows, rather than catapults. They were powered by two horizontal like arms, which were inserted into two vertical and tightly wound "skein" springs contained in a rectangular frame structure making up the head or principal part of the weapon. The arms were drawn rearward with a winch lever to further twist the skeins and thus gain the torsion power to cast a projectile. It has been said that the whirring sound of a ballista-fired stone struck fear and dread into the hearts of those inside the walls of besieged cities.
Every century in the Roman army had a ballista by the 1st century AD. It was the command of the chief of the ballista, under whom were the artillery experts, or doctores ballistarum and finally, the artillerymen, or
ballistarii. Ballistae were heavy missile weapons, hurling large rocks great distances to damage rampart walls. They resembled large crossbows, rather than catapults. They were powered by two horizontal like arms, which were inserted into two vertical and tightly wound "skein" springs contained in a rectangular frame structure making up the head or principal part of the weapon. The arms were drawn rearward with a winch lever to further twist the skeins and thus gain the torsion power to cast a projectile. It has been said that the whirring sound of a ballista-fired stone struck fear and dread into the hearts of those inside the walls of besieged cities.
Battering Ram
Roman battering rams, or were an effective weapon for breaking down an enemy’s walls, as well as their morale.
Under Roman law, any defenders who failed to surrender before the first ram touched their wall were denied any rights. The moment they heard the ram hit the wall, those inside the city knew that the siege proper had begun and there was no turning back. For protection, a battering ram was suspended in a mobile shelter called a tortoise it was given this name because the ram would swing out of the shelter much like a tortoise’s head comes out of its shell. Such shelters would provide the men within protection against missiles and incendiary devices.
Roman battering rams, or were an effective weapon for breaking down an enemy’s walls, as well as their morale.
Under Roman law, any defenders who failed to surrender before the first ram touched their wall were denied any rights. The moment they heard the ram hit the wall, those inside the city knew that the siege proper had begun and there was no turning back. For protection, a battering ram was suspended in a mobile shelter called a tortoise it was given this name because the ram would swing out of the shelter much like a tortoise’s head comes out of its shell. Such shelters would provide the men within protection against missiles and incendiary devices.
Siege Towers
Siege Towers were 50 feet high and iron-plated to protect them from fire. Those at the top of the tower were to keep defenders off the walls while those below them attempted to breach the wall using ramps. Following a basic design, details of tower construction varied from siege to siege and there is no known treatise which specifies at which level siege equipment should be placed.
Siege Towers were 50 feet high and iron-plated to protect them from fire. Those at the top of the tower were to keep defenders off the walls while those below them attempted to breach the wall using ramps. Following a basic design, details of tower construction varied from siege to siege and there is no known treatise which specifies at which level siege equipment should be placed.
Scorpio
The scorpio was a crossbow-like device that fired smaller arrows with deadly accuracy used both in the field and in sieges They were so-named for their deadly, armor-piercing sting and could be operated by just one or two men. Scorpions were meant to kill and injure enemy troops, rather than break down enemy fortifications. they could be mounted on or in siege towers because of their size
The scorpio was a crossbow-like device that fired smaller arrows with deadly accuracy used both in the field and in sieges They were so-named for their deadly, armor-piercing sting and could be operated by just one or two men. Scorpions were meant to kill and injure enemy troops, rather than break down enemy fortifications. they could be mounted on or in siege towers because of their size
Public Works
Aqueduct
One of the ancient worlds greatest achievement was the Roman Aqueduct, the Roman aqueduct was a highly advanced water system, with indoor plumbing, invented by the romans. The Roman Aqueduct was a system of a constant flow of water, carrying water in and out of the city. This system also included a sewer system that carried away the diseases from the population. Before the Roman Aqueduct people suffered from malaria, famine, typhus, and fleas because of the muddy diseased water. The Roman Aqueduct is about 260 miles long, but only about 30 is visible, the rest is underground. The Roman aqueduct provided water for water fountains, baths, and villas. The creation of the Roman Aqueduct was successful in making Rome a much healthier, less diseased civilization and more technologically advanced.
One of the ancient worlds greatest achievement was the Roman Aqueduct, the Roman aqueduct was a highly advanced water system, with indoor plumbing, invented by the romans. The Roman Aqueduct was a system of a constant flow of water, carrying water in and out of the city. This system also included a sewer system that carried away the diseases from the population. Before the Roman Aqueduct people suffered from malaria, famine, typhus, and fleas because of the muddy diseased water. The Roman Aqueduct is about 260 miles long, but only about 30 is visible, the rest is underground. The Roman aqueduct provided water for water fountains, baths, and villas. The creation of the Roman Aqueduct was successful in making Rome a much healthier, less diseased civilization and more technologically advanced.
Roads
Roman roads were a vital part to the roman army. They provided efficient means for the overland movement of armies, officials and civilians, and the inland carriage of official communications and trade goods. Roman roads were of several kinds, ranging from small local roads to broad, long-distance highways built to connect cities, major towns and military bases. These major roads were often stone-paved and metaled, cambered for drainage, and were flanked by footpaths, bridleways and drainage ditches. They were laid along accurately surveyed courses, and some were cut through hills, or conducted over rivers and ravines on bridgework. Sections could be supported over marshy ground on rafted or piled foundations. When the Romans conquered a place they would set up roads and aqueducts so they could reach that place more efficient and quicker.
Roman roads were a vital part to the roman army. They provided efficient means for the overland movement of armies, officials and civilians, and the inland carriage of official communications and trade goods. Roman roads were of several kinds, ranging from small local roads to broad, long-distance highways built to connect cities, major towns and military bases. These major roads were often stone-paved and metaled, cambered for drainage, and were flanked by footpaths, bridleways and drainage ditches. They were laid along accurately surveyed courses, and some were cut through hills, or conducted over rivers and ravines on bridgework. Sections could be supported over marshy ground on rafted or piled foundations. When the Romans conquered a place they would set up roads and aqueducts so they could reach that place more efficient and quicker.
Camps
Romans set up camps all over the world. When they were conquering a place they would set up a camp and camp there for a couple of years. If the Romans succeeded in conquering the place they wanted they would move into the town and would then take there camp back down. The camp was made up of Tents and barricades on the outside that would be made up of pilums crossing over each other. On the outside there would be a ditch which the soldiers would be digging for hours at end. The ditch would be constructed to make it harder for the enemies to attack them when they were at least expecting it. The tents would be set up a certain way. The General's Tent would be over looking the whole camp and other tents would be situated around it.
Romans set up camps all over the world. When they were conquering a place they would set up a camp and camp there for a couple of years. If the Romans succeeded in conquering the place they wanted they would move into the town and would then take there camp back down. The camp was made up of Tents and barricades on the outside that would be made up of pilums crossing over each other. On the outside there would be a ditch which the soldiers would be digging for hours at end. The ditch would be constructed to make it harder for the enemies to attack them when they were at least expecting it. The tents would be set up a certain way. The General's Tent would be over looking the whole camp and other tents would be situated around it.