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Roman Military:Composition

Roman Military:Composition. Roman military was made up of Roman citizens, Italian allies, and non-Italian allies The vast majority of Romans were fiercely patriotic, conservative, and willing to serve. Most people were farmers and thus owned land which gave them the right (and duty) to serve.

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Roman Military:Composition

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  1. Roman Military:Composition Roman military was made up of Roman citizens, Italian allies, and non-Italian allies The vast majority of Romans were fiercely patriotic, conservative, and willing to serve. • Most people were farmers and thus owned land which gave them the right (and duty) to serve

  2. Citizens’ service • Roman army: all citizens who owned enough land to equip themselves for military service (ie small farm owners and above) • all males between the ages of 18 and 46, in either the cavalry or infantry

  3. Infantry/Cavalry • Infantry was considered more important 20 years service • Cavalry: less important/much smaller in number due to the expense of horse ownership • Only 300 equestrians in a legion

  4. Key to “public life” • Military service was an honor and privilege • -key to political advancement • -could not run for public office until they had served for at least 10 years

  5. The Legion • Roman Legion (“Legio”) usually made up of 4,200 men • divided into 30 Maniples (“Manipuli”)

  6. Organization of Maniple: Hastati • 10 Maniples of 120 men called Hastati (“the flower of young men”) who formed the first line of battle • -1,200 young soldiers (25-30 years old) • -each Maniple forms a block 12 men across by 10 deep

  7. Principes • 10 Maniples of 120 men called Principes (older veterans in the prime of life) who formed the second line of battle • -1,200 men total (age 30-40) • -armed, equipped and organized exactly like the Hastati

  8. Triarii • 10 Maniples of 60 men called Triarii (older, most senior veterans) who formed the third line of battle • -600 men total (age 40+) • -Triarii Maniples formed up 6 men across by 10 deep • -armed and equipped like the Hastati and Principes, but substituted an 8 ft thrusting spear for the javelins/pilum

  9. Velites • 1,200 of the poorer citizens formed a group of light infantry skirmishers called Velites • -unarmored except for a light, round shield 3 feet in diameter • -armed with either javelins (most commonly) or long spears • -divided roughly 40 per Maniple

  10. Centuries • 100 soldiers: 60 combatants; 40 non-combatants. • Each maniple commanded by 2 Centurions • 2 centuries in a maniple

  11. Battle Formation of the Legion 1200 feet HASTATI 250 feet 635 feet PRINCIPES 250 feet TRIARII & VELITES

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