Download - The Legionary Soldier
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
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
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
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.
Hector, Jeesa, Bryce, Tyler, and Audrey
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 be flabby; 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
RECRUITMENT Legion of the Republic had 4,200 men Military Divisions
1 Legio = 10 cohortes1 Cohors = 6 centuriae1 Centuria = 10 contubernia1 Contubernia = 8 men
Roman Weapons, Training, and Armor
By: Meg Dominey, JJ Joh, Kathy Li, Andy Reagin, Abigal Swangel
Book SummaryRoman 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: Lorica Segmentata (Segmented Armor), Cingulum
(Military Belt), Caligae (Heavy Duty Sandals), Scutum
(Shield)
WeaponsGladius – 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
ArmorLorica Segmentata – 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)
Legionary SoldierLife and Work as a SoldierC.J. Gillmore, Dhruti Patel, GaYeon Ko, Ashish Biju, Eric Stephens, Jonathan Yin
Recruitment
• Roman citizens only• Required Medical Exam• Prepare for physically taxing military work• Assigned for 25 years at time of recruitment
Responsibilities
• Very little combat duty• Positions/work depended on location of station Jobs
o Accountantso Medical o they constructed forts and campso Temporary camps similar to trencheso Permanent Facilities, elaborate forts
o manufactured weapons + equip.o built roads, some still used today
• Positions/work depended on location of station
Results
• Paid 225 denarii per year• Expected to provide:
• Food• Clothing• Equipment
• Moved locations often
PAY AND PROMOTION
By: Syed, Sidney, Adam, Alex, Shiyen, and Kebron
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
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
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.