Name Origin of Name Time of Creation I Adiutrix pia fidelis Assistant, i.e. raised to supplement the legionary strength Nero I Italica Raised in Italy Nero I Macriana Raised by Clodius Macer Nero I Flavia Minervia After Minerva Domitian I Parthica Raised for campaigns in the East Severus II Adiutrix pia fidelis Assistant, i.e. raised …
The fighting equipment and dress of the auxilia present a very complicated picture. Not only were there changes from time to time, but most of the units were differently equipped from the beginning. The only literary description which has survived is from the time of Hadrian about the army in the east. The armoured cavalry …
The Recruit of the Republican Armybefore the Reforms of Marius War offered the Roman citizen of the republic the possibility of returning covered in glory, having won both land and money. To the Romans of the early republic serving in the legion and war itself were the same thing. For Rome had no army unless …
The Men from the Ranks The main supply for the centurionate of the legions came from the ordinary men from the ranks of the legion. Though there was a significant number of centurions from the equestrian rank. Some of the late emperors of the empire prove very rare examples of ordinary soldiers who rose all …
Marching and Physical Training The first thing the soldiers were taught to do, was to march. The historian Vegetius tells us that it was seen as of greatest importance to the Roman army that its soldiers could march at speed. Any army which would be split up by stragglers at the back or soldiers trundling …
The Fleet The Roman Navy was always considered an inferior arm and was strictly under army control. But already during the First Punic War, Rome proved itself capable of launching a fleet capable of checking an established naval power such as Carthage. Romans were no sailors though. They had no knowledge of ship building. Their …