The Legionary Soldier

1. The Legionary Soldier • Each was a Roman citizen and a full-time professional who had signed on for 25 years • Highly trained in infantry and specialized in other fields as well • Legion normally consisted of 5000 foot soldiers • Staff of engineers, architects, carpenters, smiths, doctors, medical orderlies, clerks, accountants • Capable of constructing forts and camps, manufacturing weapons and equipment, and building roads

2. Additional Info • Legion was recruited by an army commander after given the task by the Senate • Legion disbanded after mission was completed • Each received an eagle standard from the Emperor, which was their most prided symbol

3. Additional Info • Highly advanced for the times because Roman soldiers were professionals • Five officer positions: centurio, optio, signifer, cornicen, vexillarius • Main tactical element was the cohort

4. Hector, Jeesa, Bryce, Tyler, and Audrey Recruitment • Requirements for becoming a soldier: • Must be a Roman citizen • Must pass medical examination • Not necessarily from Rome or even Italy • At least 20 years old • Stay in the army for at least 25 years • Retire with a pension or a gift of land to farm • Not allowed to marry.

5. Recruitment • Military manual for choosing recruits: • Alert eyes, head upright, broad-chested with powerful shoulders and brawny arms. • Long fingers • Not pot-bellied or a fat bottomed • Calves and feet should not beflabby; they should be made entirely of tough sinew. • Must choose men who are outstanding • Not only in body but also in the mind - According to Vegetius

6. Recruitment • Legion of the Republic had 4,200 men • Military Divisions • 1 Legio = 10 cohortes1 Cohors = 6 centuriae1 Centuria = 10 contubernia1 Contubernia = 8 men

7. Roman Weapons, Training, and Armor By: Meg Dominey, JJ Joh, Kathy Li, Andy Reagin, AbigalSwangel

8. Book Summary • Roman Training: swimming, jumping, marching up to 24 miles at a time, weightlifting, practice with wooden swords • Weapons: Gladius (short sword), Pugio (dagger), Pilum (javelin) • Armor: LoricaSegmentata (Segmented Armor), Cingulum (Military Belt), Caligae (Heavy Duty Sandals), Scutum (Shield)

9. Weapons • Gladius – Sheathed at the side, these were more effective when used to stab rather than to cut. • Pugio – Carried in line with the shield for last effort • Pilum – Not to be confused with the “Hasta,” the pilum was a javelin with a ball at the base. The ball was used to prevent reuse causing an awkward weight distribution in the opponents shield penis

10. Armor • LoricaSegmentata – Made from individual iron segments which allowed for a wider range of motion without substantial sacrifice of protection • Cingulum – Utility belt often used as a way to display social status • Caligae – Open-toed sandals with nails in the soles for traction. The sandals were incredibly thick to prevent wear • Scutum– Almost as tall as the soldier, the shield was rectangular and curved, painted with the device of the legion. Hands were protected by the umbo (a metal semi-sphere)

11. Legionary Soldier Life and Work as a Soldier C.J. Gillmore, Dhruti Patel, GaYeonKo, AshishBiju, Eric Stephens, Jonathan Yin

12. Roman citizens only • Required Medical Exam • Prepare for physically taxing military work • Assigned for 25 years at time of recruitment Recruitment

13. Very little combat duty • Positions/work depended on location of station • Jobs • Accountants • Medical • they constructed forts and camps • Temporary camps similar to trenches • Permanent Facilities, elaborate forts • manufactured weapons + equip. • built roads, some still used today • Positions/work depended on location of station Responsibilities

14. Paid 225 denarii per year • Expected to provide: • Food • Clothing • Equipment • Moved locations often Results

15. PAY AND PROMOTION By: Syed, Sidney, Adam, Alex, Shiyen, and Kebron

16. Summary • Soldiers were paid between 255-300 denarii • pay was the same in war and peace • Deductions made before it got to the soldiers (gross pay) • Soldiers were required to pay for food, clothing, equipment, and savings along with the gross pay • Left with 1/5 of gross pay afterwards • Certain cases of discontent occurred due to these deductions • Occasional mutiny • Promotions may have been awarded to any rank of soldier • Granted extra pay and relief of some duties • Honorable discharge after 20-25 years of service w/ lump sum of 3k denarii or land a denarios optio

17. Fun facts • most significant step in any successful army career of a Roman plebeian was the promotion to the centurionate. To become a centurion meant having become an officer. • ordinary soldier's promotion would most likely start with the rank of optio. • army provided several stepping stones up the ladder of promotion

18. Auxiliaries - Reading • Men who came from different parts of the Roman empire • Developed different skills such as archers and slingers • Most prestigious auxiliaries were the cavalry • Cavalry used to support the infantry. • Protected the center, launched attacks, and pursue defeated enemy forces • Paid less than legionary soldiers • When they completed their service, they became roman citizens, if not already. • Way of making other provinces feel loyal to Roman rule.