By John Hilde
The power and effectiveness of the army also emanates from the superior fighting force and battle tactics of the army. Until the Marius Reforms in the late 2nd century B.C., the Roman army was comprised of five main troop types. Generally the youngest and poorest were recruited to the Velites. They served as skirmishers in the army and were intended to pepper the enemy with initial Javelin fire. They were equipped with swords, javelins, and a small circular shield (the parma). Velites also covered their helmets in wolf skin, to differentiate themselves from the rest of the army.
The main fighting force of the army consisted of three main troops: the Hastati, Principes, and Triarii. The Hastati, named after the thrusting spear they used to carry called the Hasta, were armed with the gladius (Spanish short-stabbing sword), two pila (one heavy and one light), and carried an oval shield called the Scutum. All troops wore bronze pectoral armor and a bronze helmet. However, the Hastati wore tall upright feathers to increase their apparent height and intimidate the opposing army.
The Principes were modeled in the same fashion as the Hastati, except they wore no feathers and were composed with more experienced men.
The oldest and most mature became the Triarii. They also were armed and armored in the same fashion except they carried a thrusting spear instead of the pilum. It should also be noted that the first class of every troop type, based on their finances and property, wore a shirt of mail, to separate and give them a sense of elitism from the other men.
Much of the success of the Roman army can be attributed to the command structure also. Though after the Marius Reforms the army was much more organized and therefore more effective, the early Roman Republic army was still organized legibly, not into hordes. The Hastati and Principes were divided into ten groups of 120 men called maniples, and the Triarii into ten maniples of sixty men (600 in a legion). There were ten maniples of Hastati and Principes in each legion, totaling 2400 men. The remaining force was made up of 1200 Velites. Each maniple had two centurions, in which the most experienced held the command of the maniple. A legate was in command of the whole legion consisting of 4200 men.
About the Author: John hilde is the owner of armorvenue.com. They sell authentic, historically accurate armor and weapons replicas. John has done research and written articles on various topics about the armies and warfare of many ancient societies.
|
