the roman army: supremacy and organization caesar’s campaign in gaul
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Oughton 2011. The Roman Army: Supremacy and Organization Caesar’s Campaign in Gaul. Life of Caesar. Born 100BCE Julian family Aunt married to Marius Military service in Asia Minor Civic crown for saving life of fellow citizen Office Quaestor – 68 Aedile- 65 Praetor- 62. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Born 100BCEJulian family
Aunt married to MariusMilitary service in Asia Minor Civic crown for saving life of fellow citizen
Office Quaestor – 68 Aedile- 65 Praetor- 62
First triumvirate- 59 Pompey- land reform for veterans in the East Crassus- tax benefits for equestrian interests
Caesar – consulship in 59, governor of GaulCaesar goes to Gaul- 58
The Great Revolt Phase V (52): Gallic revolt unified under Vercingetorix, various conflicts which set the stage for the Siege of Alesia!!! (Caesar’s greatest moment)
Closing Exchanges Phase VI (51-50): Mopping up remaining tribes and setting up the oncoming conflict with the Senate
Rome and the Gallic tribes had fought one another since ca. 4th cent. BCE Gallic sack of Rome in 390 BCE
By the late 3rd cent., Rome had subdued and organized the province of Cisalpine Gaul Centered in and around the Po Valley (No. Italy), leading to the establishment of Roman colonies there and further conflict in this area
Rome expands into Transalpine Gaul to connect Italy with Spain via land route in late 2nd cent.
Migration of the Helvetii against the Aedui forces Caesar to defend the Roman allies Phase I (58): Campaigns against Orgetorix and Ariovistus
Caesar turns against Belgae Phase II (57-56): Defeat of Belgae, Lts. attack maritime tribes in the West
Crossings and Revolts Phase III (55): Crossing the Rhine and the Channel, interrupted by small revolt
Phase IV (54): Second Invasion of Britain and Belgic Revolt, mop up of smaller revolts (53)
Came from East of the Rhine390 took Rome and burned it123-118BC- Rome conquers part of Gaul (transalpine) calls it Provincia
113-102- invasion of a group of Gauls called Cimbri/Teutones; Marius beats them
Factions in Gaul Many small, independent states Loose confederations No strong governments
Citizen farmer-soldierShort campaign seasonGreek-Influenced Tactics employed on flat terrain
Group cooperation over Individual Exploits, but Timocratic organization
Military service compulsory on all male citizens of age
Based upon the economic “classes” which were established by property ownership Equites, 5 “infantry” classes, proletarii
Each class subdivided into “centuries” Early Republican Hoplite Army: Equites as cavalry; 1st 2 Classes as heavy “hoplite” infantry; 3rd/4th Classes lighter infantry; 5th Class as skirmishers/ supernumeraries; proletarii in support roles
Determination Ex: Siege of Veii (ca 405-396 BC)
Reserves of Manpower Based on conquest and successful organization of Italian peninsula
Nearly continuous wars between 6th and 3rd Centuries BC
Crushing defeats at Lake Trasimene (25K dead) and Cannae (50K) and they raise still another army
Inventiveness and Adaptability
Contact with the Hellenistic Kingdoms in the East forces Rome to restructure and adapt its Military system yet again Long term conflicts abroad complicate and call into question the “soldier-farmer” ideal
Gradual movement away from structure based on economic classes, leads to the eventual removal of property qualifications
These changes are traditionally credited to Gaius Marius, but they were more likely a prolonged series of slight alterations
Property qualifications removed so all citizens could enlist -> leads to volunteer army, not the general conscription of the past
Stipendium regularized and equipment provided to all enlistees
Regularized Equipment: All infantry classes carry two pila (redesigned), a gladius, and a scutum slightly more oval in shape
They usually wore mail armor and a semi-spherical bronze helmet
New training emphasized the use of the gladius
century [centum, hundred] = 80 men
2 centuries = 1 maniple = 160 men
3 maniples = 1 cohort = 480 men10 cohorts = 1 legion = 4800 men
Legatus- deputies, assistants Caesar introduced putting one legate in charge of every legion during the battle
Quaestor- financial officerPraefectus fabrum- chief engineerTribunus- each legion had six; some good military officers, others rich youth
Centurio- commanded centuries; 60 in each legion; fought in the ranks; must be brave