The heavy infantry was mostly comprised of citizens who were neither high born nor poor, essentially the вЂњmiddle class.вЂќ Heavy infantry soldiers would gradually evolve to be a crucial part of the legion, the picture of the Roman soldier that we all know today. They were offset by the largest part of a legion, the heavy infantry. RomeвЂ™s light infantry was great at skirmishing and ranged warfare, relying on light javelins.

Since Roman soldiers were largely responsible for equipping themselves, the velites could not afford proper equipment. The position of the light infantry, or the velites, was left to the poor classes of Rome and formed the big part of the early legion. Cavalry positions were often reserved for the notable and upper-class young men of Rome as a way to rise to prominence in both political and military circles. Known in Rome as the Equites, the cavalry was considered the most prestigious and deadly of all units.

Early on, the biggest focus was on the cavalry. The types of units in a legion varied in each period of RomeвЂ™s history as the methods of warfare evolved over the centuries. This conscription method can be considered an efficient and affordable way of structuring an army without having to pay extra soldiers in times of peace. But when a new military campaign or a threat required a greater number of men, further legions were raised as needed. There were the four original legions during the mid-Republic era: Legion I to IV, with two assigned to each of the two consuls. Legions were formed but for a short time only.

The Honing of a Deadly Sword: The Legion Takes ShapeД«ut all this was still in an evolving state. Consequently, RomanвЂ™s legions became an effective and reliable military organization. This is the first time that such a large number of men were conscripted for the Roman army. To deal with the threat of the revolting Volsci, Aequi, and the Sabines, the dictator raised ten legions, totaling close to 45,000 men. Under his rule the вЂњ First secession of the plebsвЂќ was ordered and the three tribes neighboring Rome rose up in revolt. The expansion of the Roman army legions in 494 BC occurred during the dictatorship of Manius Valerius Maximus. But this changed rapidly when a much larger number of men and legions were called upon in 494 BC. That way each of the two consuls in office at the time could control one legion each. In the earliest days of the Republic the entire Roman army was separated into two legions. Rome expanded its borders most often through warfare, and thus its army developed quickly and grew. With each passing decade, it became increasingly obvious that the Roman army was involved in larger military operations and more frequently. The Roman legions came to the forefront in the period of the Roman Republic. For this reason, serving in the army of Rome was вЂњadvertisedвЂќ as a life duty, and a distinguishing feature of every able bodied and honorable citizen of Rome. They were also clearly aware of the importance a strong army played in politics and diplomacy. It is clear from the very beginnings of Rome that Roman leaders placed a huge emphasis on armed forces. The title of the centurion, a commander of such a force, survived throughout Roman history and dates to this early period. For military purposes, these centuries could be grouped together to form a disciplined and formidable force. Up until at least the 2 nd century BC, most units were separated into groups of one hundred men, called the centuries. However, even before the emergence of the Roman legions proper, the early army of Rome was fairly organized.ДЄ Roman centurion leading his men into battle. The early history of Rome is not a clear as its later periods of development. In Latin, a legion was known as legio,В denoting a military conscription and levy, and ultimately stemming from the word legere, to choose. The term legionВ has become a very common word to us all, but we rarely stop to examine its original meaning. History has shown us that the Roman legions were a key part of all of RomeвЂ™s successes and downfalls, and that is exactly why we are going to examine the workings of this legendary military unit. For others, it was a ladder to success and prominence through which even an emperorвЂ™s title could be gained.

For some citizens of Rome, a soldierвЂ™s career within a legion was a sure source of income. From Britain and Gaul to Syria and Egypt, the expansion of Rome was built on the power of the Roman legions. And the most crucial development of that army were the Roman legions. From its earliest emergence, through the Roman Kingdom, Republic, and Empire, the successes of Rome were always dictated by the skill and size of its army. There is no doubt that the magnificent and long history of Rome was to a large extent dependent on its strong and highly developed army.

Roman soldier intaglio ring history