CLAS 1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Pax Romana, Gladius, Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus
5 Jun 2018
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THE ROMAN ARMY
legio
to select, to choose
• Romans were selected to partake in the
army and fight as required
o Formed a phalanx
o Involved romans wealthy enough
to provide their own equipment
triplex acies
the three-line system
• Romans adapted a new organizational approach from
the samnites
o Lines broken up by age
▪ Front=youngest, the fresh recruits
▪ Behind=seasoned veterans, been in a
few battles
▪ Behind them= old campaigners
o Checkerboard style
▪ Continuous fresh front
▪ Allowed lines to pass between each
other
Gaius Marius
Reform to the military
• Marius reformed the roman army to meet the demand for a
large, full time army
o Recruitment
▪ All social status could join, even the landless with
no wealth
o Equipment
▪ State provides roman equipment, not the soldier
themselves (goal=to project roman superiority)
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caligae
military boots
• Romans could march 30k a day bc of these military boots
o Open slits to allow moisture and air to circulate
o Nails on the bottom
o Very well made
o Origin of the name from the emperor Caligula
castra
fortified camp
• Large rectangular fortifications were
built by the romans if for a season
o Was a projection of roman
infrastructure
▪ Romans= trained in
building
gladius hispaniensis
Spanish short sword
• Romans admired this sword and adapted it as the main weapon of
the roman army
o Designed specifically for thrusting against the enemy
▪ Short= quick underhand stabbing
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vegetius de re militari
drills
• Romans spent hours practicing rhythmic thrusting motion
o In the heat of battle this produced almost a conditioned
response
o Target= groin and lower abdomen
o Necessary bc romans now professional full time
employees of the state
pilum
javelin
• Javelin=good for fighting at a distance
o Usually 2
pugio
short stabbing dagger
• Pugio=like a punch
o Rarely used in combat
lorica hamata
chain mail
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
The roman army legio to select, to choose: romans were selected to partake in the army and fight as required, formed a phalanx. In the heat of battle this produced almost a conditioned response: target= groin and lower abdomen, necessary bc romans now professional full time employees of the state pilum javelin. Rarely used in combat lorica hamata chain mail lorica segmentata segmented, interlocking plate armour: pros/cons, sacrifices some level of protection, allows for movement lorica musculata muscle suits, worn by commander. Hinted at the classical sculptures of nude heroes scutum and umbo rectangular, curved shield with fixed iron boss: wrap around body to protect sides. Cover as much of body behind shield while inflicting devastating short thrusts. E(cid:454)pose part of soldier"s head so that he hears. Allow for space in the front so that he sees. Indicates a lot of communication will occur in a galea helmet roman battle decimation lottery. If you show cowardice you will be beaten.
