Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Why we chose our topic?
We chose our topic because were unsure about the Roman Military. We want to find out more about this because a military is nothing without it's equipment and strategies. We also want to know how they built their weapons so they can use it to their advantage and the enemy can't.
What We Think
We think that the roman army was powerful because they used strategies, good equipment, and they had experience. To find our answers we went on these websites so we can understand more about the roman military: http://library.thinkquest.org/, http://www.roman-empire.net/ and this book Roman Army: Instrument of Power by Don Nardo. copyright 2004 by Lucent Books.
Website # 1
Equipment
On the website we found out that the soldiers used the Lorica, a breastplate, it is built to withstand frontal attack. The Galea, a helmet, prevents crushing blows to the head and face. The Scutum, a shield, is used to ward off close combat. They also used javelins and gladius.
The javelin they made is able to bend when inside the enemy. It was made that way so that the enemy won't pull it out and reuse it. The second weapon the Ancient Roman used was called the Gladius. This was a short sword so it can be used for close attacks. They were also required to wear certain clothes. The first is called a Tunic. A tunic is like an undergarment that we wear today. Another layer of clothing would be a jacket or a cloak that you should wear over the tunic. They also used heavy boots for marching called Caligae. The Sarcina, is a kind of bag with equipment that weighs about 50 pounds when full.
Army Units
Even if you weren't in the army everyone had a job. Slaves and servants would serve as Calones. The Calones were people that work as clerks, secretaries, maintenance workhorses, smiths, and sometimes cooks. The Exploratoes and Speculatores were people that scouted the area and would tell the army landscape advantages.
The Roman Legion
This was a large unit of people that could take on larger opposing forces.It was made up of smaller groups, grouped into bigger and bigger groups. The Pedites, the lowest unit, a single armed soldier. Next would be the grouping of Centuria, a pack of 100 men led by Centurion. Two Centuria would form what is called a Manipulus. A Cohors would be made up of 3 Manipuli. A legion would be made by having 10 Cohorts. This legion would be led by the general.
Standard Bearer
These people would hold up a symbol to unite the soldiers, and lead them into battle. The Aquilifier was the man that held the Aquila (eagle), the symbol of Roman Army. The Vexilla acted as a flag to rally the small group of soldiers. The Imaginifier held a statue with medallions hanging from it. Educated men that stood in front of a Century were called Signfers. Finally, the Draconius, a dragon-head with a fabric tale was used to whistle in the wind.
Site: http://library.thinkquest.org/
On the website we found out that the soldiers used the Lorica, a breastplate, it is built to withstand frontal attack. The Galea, a helmet, prevents crushing blows to the head and face. The Scutum, a shield, is used to ward off close combat. They also used javelins and gladius.
The javelin they made is able to bend when inside the enemy. It was made that way so that the enemy won't pull it out and reuse it. The second weapon the Ancient Roman used was called the Gladius. This was a short sword so it can be used for close attacks. They were also required to wear certain clothes. The first is called a Tunic. A tunic is like an undergarment that we wear today. Another layer of clothing would be a jacket or a cloak that you should wear over the tunic. They also used heavy boots for marching called Caligae. The Sarcina, is a kind of bag with equipment that weighs about 50 pounds when full.
Army Units
Even if you weren't in the army everyone had a job. Slaves and servants would serve as Calones. The Calones were people that work as clerks, secretaries, maintenance workhorses, smiths, and sometimes cooks. The Exploratoes and Speculatores were people that scouted the area and would tell the army landscape advantages.
The Roman Legion
This was a large unit of people that could take on larger opposing forces.It was made up of smaller groups, grouped into bigger and bigger groups. The Pedites, the lowest unit, a single armed soldier. Next would be the grouping of Centuria, a pack of 100 men led by Centurion. Two Centuria would form what is called a Manipulus. A Cohors would be made up of 3 Manipuli. A legion would be made by having 10 Cohorts. This legion would be led by the general.
Standard Bearer
These people would hold up a symbol to unite the soldiers, and lead them into battle. The Aquilifier was the man that held the Aquila (eagle), the symbol of Roman Army. The Vexilla acted as a flag to rally the small group of soldiers. The Imaginifier held a statue with medallions hanging from it. Educated men that stood in front of a Century were called Signfers. Finally, the Draconius, a dragon-head with a fabric tale was used to whistle in the wind.
Site: http://library.thinkquest.org/
Website #2
Tactics
Before, the romans go out to war they send somebody to look for ways to use the landscape to their advantage. They would make sure that the sun was in the right position before attacking. They would use the sun's rays to blind the enemy forces. They would also take wind into account. The wind has to be blown away from them so that dust wouldn't get in their eyes.
Conclusion
We learned that we were right about how the roman military was powerful. They used javelins to attack their enemies. They could bend so that the enemy couldn't use it. They also used the landscape to their advantage. Everybody had a job to do so that the military could be successful.
~Aadhish Vora and Adrain Perez~
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