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.