Legionnaires of ancient Rome. Legion (Ancient Rome)

senior officers

Legatus Augusti Propraetor (Legatus Augusti pro praetore)

The official title of the governor of some provinces of the Roman Empire in the era of the principate.
Legates propraetors were appointed, as a rule, to the largest provinces, as well as to those where the legions were stationed. The provinces were divided into imperial provinces, whose governors were personally appointed by the emperor, and senatorial provinces, whose governors (the so-called proconsuls) were elected by the Roman Senate.
Senators of consular or praetor rank (that is, those who had previously held the office of consul or praetor) were appointed to the post of legate of the propraetor. However, the emperors appointed to rule Egypt only representatives of the equestrian estate - the prefect of Egypt, although there was an army in it. Some small imperial provinces where there were no legions (for example, Mauretania, Thrace, Raetia, Norik, and Judea) received a procurator as viceroy, who commanded only auxiliary units. The legate propraetor headed the provincial administration, was the chief judicial officer and commander-in-chief of all armed forces based in the province (both legions and auxiliary units). The only function that was outside the competence of the legate was finance (the collection and administration of taxes), which was entrusted to an independent procurator who was subordinate only to the emperor. The legate of Augustus, the propraetor, was also called "quinquefascalis", for he had the right to 5 lictors.
In the military hierarchy, the direct subordinates of the legate were the legion legates (commanders of the legions in the province), who in turn commanded the military tribunes (senior officers of the legion) and the prefects (commanders) of the auxiliary units attached to the legion.
In the year 68, 15 out of a total of 36 Roman provinces were ruled by the legate Augustus propraetor: Tarraconian Spain, Lusitania, Aquitania, Lugdunian Gaul, Belgica, Britannia, Germania Inferior, Germania Superior, Moesia, Dalmatia, Galatia, Cappadocia, Lycia and Pamphylia, Syria, Numidia.
The position of legate Augustus propraetor disappeared around the end of the 3rd century.

Legate Legion (Legatus Legionis)

Legion Commander. The emperor usually appointed the former tribune to this post for three or four years, but the legate could hold his post for much longer. In the provinces where the legion was stationed, the legate was also the governor. Where there were several legions, each of them had his own legate, and they were all under the general command of the governor of the province.

Tribunus Laticlavius (Tribunus Laticlavius)

This tribune to the legion was appointed by the emperor or the senate. He was usually young and less experienced than the five military tribunes (Tribuni Angusticlavii), yet his office was second in seniority in the legion, immediately after the legate. The name of the office comes from the word "laticlava", which means two wide purple stripes on the tunic laid down for officials of senatorial rank.
The tribune of laticlavius was always under twenty-five years old - that was the minimum age for the office of quaestor. He was appointed to the position of tribune by the governor of the province, who was either his relative, or did it at the request of friends or the patron of a young man - the Romans generally lived according to the principle “well, how not to please your own little man!”. The tribune laticlavius had no military experience and, after spending one or two (rarely more) years in the army, retired to start his career in the senate. In ten years he could return to the army, already with the rank of legate.

Camp Prefect (Praefectus Castrorum)

The third most senior officer of the Roman legion.
The position first appeared under the emperor Octavian Augustus. It was usually appointed from among the old, experienced centurions. The prefect of the camp took over the command of the legion if there was no legate or tribune laticlavius. He was mainly the administrative head of the legion and oversaw the correctness of camping, infirmaries and wagon trains, as well as camp discipline. However, in combat, he was deprived of command functions. In his submission he had custos armorum. The prefect of the camp was in the service of the legate also as a planner and on the march usually followed in the vanguard of the legion, and in the evening with his assistant he looked for a suitable place to set up a marching camp. In addition, he was in charge of purchasing food from the population and other equipment for the soldiers.

Tribunes of Angusticlavia (Tribuni Angusticlavii)

Each legion had five military tribunes from the equestrian order. Most often, these were professional soldiers who occupied high administrative posts in the legion, and during the hostilities they could, if necessary, command the legion. They relied on tunics with narrow purple stripes (angusticlava), hence the name of the position.
By the middle of the II century. AD it became customary to appoint as angusticlavii people who had already served as prefects in parts of the auxiliary infantry. Often they also had time to hold a civil position in their hometown (the age limit is from 25 to 30 years). Thus, the Angustiklavians were usually more mature people with military experience. In the middle of the II century. there were only 131 positions for about 270 commanders of infantry and mixed auxiliaries, consisting of 500 soldiers, so that the governors had plenty to choose from, and they could not appoint people who showed incompetence as tribunes. The best of these two hundred and seventy, 30-40 people, the emperor appointed to command infantry and mixed cohorts, numbering a thousand soldiers.
The future career of the Angustiklavian tribunes was connected with the cavalry. In the legion, they were assigned administrative and economic duties. They had to take care of providing the troops with everything necessary and perform other daily duties of duty officers.

Middle officers

Primipil (Primus Pilus)

The highest-ranking centurion of the legion, heading the first double centuria. In the I-II centuries AD. e. upon dismissal from military service, the primipil was enrolled in the estate of horsemen and could reach a high equestrian position in the civil service. The name literally means "first line". Due to the similarity of the words pilus (rank) and pilum (pilum, throwing spear), the term is sometimes incorrectly translated as "centurion of the first spear."
The first cohort was divided into five double centuries, commanded by five senior centurions, who were considered superior to others and were called primi ordines (centurions of the first rank). Among the centurions of the first rank, there was the following hierarchy (in ascending order): hast 2nd, principle 2nd, hast, principle and primipil. Primipilus was the senior centurion in the legion.
Any legionnaire dreamed of rising to the rank of primipil, but for most the dream remained unattainable, because this required not only courage, but also education and the ability of an administrator. The centurion held the post of primipil for a year, after which he either retired or received a higher post. The post of primipil was usually received by people at least fifty years old. Some served for forty years - first as a simple soldier, then as a centurion - but could not reach these dizzying heights. When he retired, the primipil received a large allowance and the honorary title of primipilaris (that is, the former primipil), just as a person who was a consul bore the title of consularis until the end of his life. Primipils were the color of the army. The next position of the primipil could be the prefect of the camp, or the post of tribune in the cohorts stationed in Rome, where the most experienced and reliable soldiers served. Some were appointed governors of the provinces, where there were only auxiliary troops, or commanders in the fleet, and, finally, a few reached the top - the post of commander of the Praetorian Guard.

Centurion (Centurio)

The centurions were the basis and backbone of the professional Roman army. These were professional warriors who lived the daily lives of their subordinate soldiers, and commanded them during the battle. Usually this post was received by veteran soldiers, however, one could also become a centurion by direct decree of the emperor or other high-ranking official.
The service life of a legionnaire was 25 years. During this time, he could rise to the rank of centurion. The centurions were the only officers who constantly commanded the legionnaires under the command of the legion commander. Higher ranks served at the headquarters. Since centurions were drawn from ordinary soldiers, they are often thought of as something like sergeants. But in fact, their duties roughly corresponded to those of a modern captain.
During the period of the republic, centurions were at first apparently appointed by tribunes, but each appointment was approved by the commander of the army. The centurions were the backbone of the army. These were the only officers whose term of service was not limited, and they often served beyond the prescribed 25 years. The post of centurion attracted not only legionnaires. The soldiers of the Praetorian Guard, having served their 16 years, could receive the post of centurion in the legion. In addition, quite a few young people from the equestrian class wanted to get this position. In the era of the empire, the posts of centurions were handed out by the governors of the provinces, although, undoubtedly, the commanders of the legions and the tribunes could nominate their own people. In addition, friends of people seeking appointment to this position could write a letter of recommendation to the emperor, who was able to intervene and assist them personally.

Each legion had 59 centuries. The centuries were still named after the old maniples, although the name "triarii" was now preferred to "pilus" (pilus). So, in cohorts from II to X there were hast 2nd, hast 1st, principle 2nd, principle 1st, drank 2nd and drank 1st. The name of the centuria was preceded by the number of the cohort, for example: “decimus hastatus posterior” (2nd hast of the tenth cohort), keeping in the traditional name the long-standing division of the legion into maniples. In general, such adherence to traditions is very characteristic of Rome. The number of the centurion commanded by each centurion directly reflected his position in the legion, that is, the highest position was occupied by the centurion of the first century of the first cohort, and the lowest - the centurion of the sixth century of the tenth cohort. The five centurions of the first cohort were called "Primi Ordines". In each cohort, the centurion of the first century was called "Pilus Prior".
A centurion could spend his entire service life in one legion, or he could move from one legion to another, for example, when transferring an entire unit to a new location. Such a transfer was carried out to make up for losses, as, for example, after the revolt of Boadicea in 61: then two thousand soldiers were transferred to the ninth legion.
The centurion was easily recognizable by his silver armor. In addition, the centurion wore greaves, which ordinary legionnaires no longer used; the crest on his helmet was turned across. The centurion wore a sword on his left side, and a dagger on his right, in contrast to ordinary legionnaires. This has led some researchers to suggest that the centurions did not carry the scutum, otherwise it would be difficult for them to draw the sword from the left. However, in the time of Caesar, this was not the case: at the siege of Dyrrachium, a centurion named Scaeva, defending a redoubt, received 120 holes in the shield (Caesar uses the word scutum) and was transferred from the eighth cohort to the Primipils for courage.
Centurions were often cruel people: quite a few legionaries wore scars on their backs from a centurion vine rod (vitis). This was due to the fact that the duties of the centurion included maintaining discipline. From the centurion required rigidity and severity. And therefore, during the mutinies, they usually became the first victims of soldiers' revenge. On the other hand, it should be noted that during the defeats, the losses among the centurions were especially great, because it was they who were appointed to cover the retreat.
The centurions did not disdain to accept bribes from legionnaires who wished to evade any duties. Bribes for vacations were so common that even the emperor hesitated to put an end to it, for fear of causing a riot among the centurions. As a result, in order to save the soldiers from exactions, the emperors had to pay the centurions directly in order to secure the loyalty of the army.

junior officers

Option (Optio)

Assistant to the centurion, replaced the centurion in battle in case of his injury. The centurion chose an option from experienced soldiers as his assistants. Like a regular legionnaire, the option wore a short tunic and caligae, but his belt was richer decorated than a soldier's. Option wore chain mail - the oldest Roman armor, which by the era of the Empire had become a symbol of officer status. To make the option visible in the thick of the battle, he wore a bright longitudinal crest on his helmet. The option always had a rod, with which he equalized the ranks and punished negligent soldiers.

Tesserarius (Tesserarius)

Assistant option. The tesserarius was the principal of a one-and-a-half salary and was responsible in the centuria for organizing guard duty and transmitting passwords, which at that time were issued in the form of tesserae. In service, the tesserarius was not directly subordinate to the centurion, but to the option, he enjoyed disciplinary rights in relation to the legionnaires and deans of his centurion. In the camp, the tesseraria were transferred to the operational subordination of the prefect of the camp, they, in turn, in the camp and on the campaign, were reassigned teams of preventers (sentinels), on the march the place of the tesseraria was near the signifer, in battle he had to help the option maintain discipline. In peacetime, the Tesserarii were also involved in organizing combat training and training of recruits, and were also responsible for recruiting and accepting replacements.
They tried to produce mainly quick-witted and competent soldiers in this rank, it was considered a preparatory step before the title of an option, the centurion used the right to produce it. A distinctive feature of the tesserarius was a staff with a metal pommel, which he wore instead of a spear, and in the performance of his duties of service, also a linen bag for tesserae, worn over the shoulder or attached to the belt.

Decurion (Decurio)

He commanded a detachment of cavalry from 10 to 30 horsemen in the legion. Initially, in the era of the militia army, the elected foremen of the horsemen became the commanders of their dozens in case of war, later this position became appointed, but retained its former name. Three decurias of riders (numbering at least 10 cavalry warriors, usually 30 horses each) made up a turma, the commander of which was the decurion of the first decuria. Gradually, a kind of “non-commissioned officers” and “chief officers” were introduced into the states of the turma - the deputy commander of the turma was an option, appointed from among the combatant cavalrymen and being a duplicator principal, who had the same status as a bill of turma, as well as two cavalrymen on double and one and a half salaries, who did not occupy command positions, but performed certain organizational and administrative functions in the turma, and were not part of specific decuries. At the same time, the candidate for the place of the first decurion was usually not the second decurion, and not an option, but a bill of exchange. In the future, turms in number from 10 to 16 (and later 24) began to be reduced to alas, commanded by temporarily appointed (for the period of the existence of these associations) cavalry prefects, usually from among the senior decurions.

Dean (Decanus)

(on the right in a gilded helmet)
The commander of 10 soldiers (contubernia), with whom he lived in the same tent. The dean enjoyed disciplinary rights in relation to the soldiers of his shellacry. Over time, the size of the Roman camps and tents (barracks) in them increased, as a result, the number of contuberant soldiers subordinate to the dean more than doubled. This led to the fact that uragos began to be appointed to help the dean, above which the title of dean became in status (before that it was almost the only “non-commissioned officer” rank in the Roman army). The rank of tesserarius was superior to the dean in the service, although the Kornizen was considered higher than any dean in the centuria, since he enjoyed disciplinary rights in relation to all the soldiers of the whole centuria, and not a separate contubernia.

Special Honorary Posts

Aquilifer (aquilifer - "carrying an eagle")

An honorary position in the army of Ancient Rome, a standard-bearer who carried a legionary eagle.
Until 104 BC. e. in the form of a “flag” (a symbol of the legion), they could use the image of a wolf, boar, bull, horse, etc., and after that a single standard was introduced (the reform of Gaius Maria) - aquila - in the form of a golden or silver eagle. Aquilifer was one for the entire legion, was considered one of the highest non-commissioned officers (rank below centurion) and received a double salary. Outside of battle, the aquilifer performed the functions of the legion's treasurer and accountant (he was in charge of the legionnaires' savings placed under the protection of the banner).
Most of the famous images of aquilifers (Trajan's column) show them with their heads uncovered (unlike signifers and other smaller standard-bearers who wore animal skins). However, judging by several surviving tombstones, in battle the aquilifers wore a lion skin over their helmet with paws tied around their necks. The armament consisted of a sword (gladius), a dagger (pugio) and a small round shield (parma), which was worn on the side or behind the back on a belt over the shoulder. As protective equipment, the aquilifers used chain mail or scaly armor. A leather “sleeveless jacket” with pterygiums (rectangular scallops with figured fringe at the ends) was worn under the armor on the shoulders and hips. This element of officer equipment, as well as the lion skin worn exclusively by Praetorian signifers, emphasized the special status of the aquilifer.
The eagle of the legion was supposed to be next to the centurion of the first century of the first maniple of the first cohort, that is, the aquilifer actually accompanied the centurion-primipil.

Signifer (signum - sign, ferre - to carry)

A junior officer in the ancient Roman army, who carried the emblem of the cohort, maniple and centuria - signum. Each centuria in the legion had its own signifer, so there were 59 of them in the legion. The signifer of the cohort was the signifer of its first century.
The signum was a long wooden pole topped with a gilded spear or a figure of an open human palm in a round wreath - manus, meaning the oath of allegiance taken by the soldiers. There is a version that the signums with a human palm as a pommel belonged to maniples, and those with a pommel in the form of a spear belonged to cohorts and centuries. Below was a plate with the name and number of the part, as well as the awards with which she was awarded - silver and gold discs (falers) and wreaths. On the signums of the Praetorian cohorts were placed portraits of the emperor and members of his family.
The Signifer of the Centuria was also treasurer, who was responsible for paying the soldiers' salaries, safeguarding their savings, and managing the unit's financial management.
The external difference of the signifer was a bear or wolf skin, worn over a helmet with paws tied around the neck. The praetorian signifers had the skin of a lion. The armament consisted of a sword (gladius), a dagger (pugio). As protective equipment, the signifers used chain mail or scaly armor and a small round shield (parma), which was worn on the side of the belt.

Imaginifer (Imaginifer)

The standard-bearer of the Roman legion, carried a standard with the image of the emperor, which served as a constant reminder of the loyalty of the troops to the emperor. The rank of imaginifer appeared in the legions after the cult of the emperor was founded during the reign of Octavian Augustus. "Imago" was a three-dimensional portrait made of metal, which was carried only in the first cohort.
Imaginifers, like all standard-bearers (signifers) of the Roman army, were distinguished by animal skins worn on a helmet, with paws tied on their chests. The legions wore bear and wolf skins. The weapons were a sword (gladius), a dagger (pugio). Protective equipment included a helmet, chain mail or scale armor and a small round shield (parma).

Vexillary (vexillarius, from vexillum - banner, standard)

The name of the standard-bearer in the Roman army. The vexillarius wore a standard in the form of a slit rectangle with the emblem and number of the military unit, attached to the crossbar on a long shaft. As a rule, vexillums were the standards of individual military units (foot and cavalry) operating outside the legion. The Wixilums also had Praetorian cohorts.
Vexillaria, like all the standard-bearers (signifers) of the Roman army, were distinguished by animal skins worn on a helmet, with paws tied on their chests. In the legions they wore bear and wolf skins, in the Praetorian guard they wore lion skins. The armament consisted of a sword (gladius), a dagger (pugio). Protective equipment included a helmet, chain mail or scale armor and a small round shield (parma).
During the late Empire (3rd - 5th centuries AD), the vexillum gradually supplanted the traditional standards of the Roman army (signums), becoming the main type of Roman banner (in the modern sense of the term). Cornicen (Cornicen) In the time of Trajan, there were 35 bucinators in the state of the Roman legion, on ships - usually one at a time. The ship’s bucinator was with the captain and gave the main commands to the crew: “alarm”, “to battle”, “give anchor”, etc.

Evocatus (evocatus, pl. evocati)

A soldier of the Roman army who served his term and retired, but returned to the service voluntarily at the invitation (evocatio) of the consul or other commander. Such volunteers enjoyed a particularly honorable position in the army, as experienced, seasoned soldiers. They were allocated to special detachments, most often consisting of the commander as his personal guards and especially trusted guards.
In position, the evocates approach the centurions. They receive high salaries. They are usually attracted to the ranks of the army, in addition to devotion to the leader, the promise of a special reward at the end of the work for which they are called. They were subjected, however, to the usual hardships of a soldier's laborer. With the advent of the regular army and with the consolidation as a principle of recruitment, mainly of those who wish in the era of the Empire, units of evocates become more and more rare, but a special corps of evocati Augusti appears, in contrast to which soldiers on extra service are usually called revocati. Evocati Augusti - Creation of Emperor Augustus. The imperial evocates make up a corps of ex-praetorians (ordinary legionnaires are relatively rare), distributed in Rome and in other garrisons; evocates are composed of both praetorian cohorts and legions. Here they occupy a comparatively high position: the Evocat may expect to become a centurion. They receive not the salary (stipendium) of the soldiers, but a special (greater) reward (sularium). Each tactical unit has at least more than one evocat.
Where the special functions of evocates are indicated in the inscriptions, these are not military, but military-civilian functions, related mainly to the economic life of the detachments: here is the agrimensor (surveyor) for the needs of legionary land ownership (territorium legionis), and the imperial architect (architectus armamentarii imperatoris ), and a prison registrar (acommentariis custodiarum), etc. The main business of the evocates was, judging by one inscription, the management of the provisions in the legions, with which, perhaps, it is necessary to compare the title maioriarius menensorum mensores frumentarii of military units). The evocates played an important role in the bread allowance of the Praetorians and urban soldiers (urbani) in Rome. Judging by the appearance of their names on the lead stamps of grain distributions, they were intermediaries between the soldiers and the officials in charge of grain distributions since, under Nero, the Praetorians were included in the plebs frumentaria, that is, the urban population, who enjoyed the right to receive free state bread.

Duplicarius (Duplicarius)

The general name of junior commanders and chiefs in the armies of the Roman system (principals), who received double allowances, and, in addition, an independent military rank. It was worn by a kind of “senior soldiers”, who were not formally principals and did not occupy command or staff positions, but at the same time received a double salary like principals (in different eras and depending on the type of troops, this ranged from 200 to 400 denarii). In the cavalry, one duplicator was regularly relied on the turma, in the infantry their number could depend on specific circumstances: with a shortage of funds, it was reduced, with a shortage of principals, it increased. Duplicarii did not use disciplinary rights in relation to the soldiers of their unit. They were considered as candidates for filling the positions of principals in centuries, for command positions in turms and alas, the interpretation of this rank as an analogue of the modern sergeant is fundamentally erroneous. Also, a simple soldier could be produced in a duplicarium for any specific merit. During the period of the late empire, consolidated teams were formed from duplicarii in the infantry - a kind of "army special forces".

Legion (lat. legio, genus p. legionis), (lat. legio, genus case legionis, from lego - I collect, recruit) - the main organizational unit in the army of Ancient Rome. The number of the legion at different times was about 3-8 thousand people. Initially, the legion was called the entire Roman army, which was a collection of armed citizens of Rome. This Roman "militia" (this is the original meaning of the word) was assembled only in time of war and for military training. The legion was assembled according to the curiat principle, each clan (curia) exhibited 100 warriors (centuria) and 10 horsemen, so the total number of the legion was 3300 people. According to the reforms of Servius Tullius, the legions began to be formed according to the property qualification, the entire population was divided into 5 classes: the 1st class (property qualification of at least 100 thousand asses) exhibited 98 centuries, the 2nd (the qualification of 75 thousand asses) - 22 centuries, 3rd (qualification 50 thousand asses) - 20 centuries, 4th (qualification 25 thousand asses) - 22 centuries, 5th class (qualification 11 thousand asses) - 30 centuries, the proletarians put up 1 centuria. Under Servius, age division was also introduced (senior soldiers were in reserves and garrisons).

In the 5th-4th centuries. BC e., in connection with the ongoing wars, the number of legions increased to 2-4 or more. From the beginning of the 4th c. BC e. soldiers were paid. The legion of the period of the early Republic consisted of 3,000 heavy infantry (1,200 principes, 1,200 hastati, 600 triarii), 1,200 light infantry (velites) and 300 cavalry (combined into 10 turmas). Different categories were equipped with different property classes of Roman citizens and had different weapons. The battle formation of the legion consisted of 3 lines of 10 maniples each. The first row consisted of hastati (1200 people, 10 maniples, 20 centuries of 60 people each), the youngest warriors armed with a sword, 2 darts, a shield, protected by a helmet, greaves and forged armor with a bronze or iron breastplate. The second row consisted of principles (1200 people, 10 maniples, 20 centuries of 60 people each), fairly experienced warriors armed similarly to hastati, the third row were triarii (600 people, 10 maniples, 20 centuries of 30 people each), the most experienced warriors armed with a spear instead of a sword. The cavalry was on the flanks of the formation, the velites were located and acted depending on the situation. In addition, detachments of allied troops or auxiliary units (auxiliaries) could adjoin the legion on the flanks. The cavalry consisted of 10 turmes (30 horsemen), each consisting of 3 decurii. Sometimes, the number of infantry was increased to 5000-6000 by increasing the number of individual centuries. During the period of the Republic, the legion was commanded by military tribunes, centurions - centurions, maniples - centurion of the first century, turma - decurion of the first decuria, allied troops - prefects.

At the end of the 2nd c. BC e. according to the reform of Gaius Marius, the distinction in the armament of heavy infantry and the recruitment of various categories of soldiers was abolished; the main organizational component of the legion instead of the maniple was the cohort, consisting of 3 maniples. In connection with the ruin of the free peasantry, military service was abolished, the salaries of the soldiers were increased, and the Roman army became a professional mercenary army. The legion included from 3 to 6 thousand legionnaires, in addition, auxiliary troops of almost the same number were attached to each legion (various specialists - servants, slaves, officials, priests, scouts, doctors, standard-bearers, secretaries, personnel of throwing weapons and siege towers, various service units and units from non-citizens - light cavalry, light infantry, weapons workshop workers).

In the era of the late Republic and Empire, the legions played a serious political role. The love of the legionnaires could provide the future emperor with the capture and retention of power in Rome, or, conversely, deprive him of all hopes. Under Emperor Augustus, the number of legions reached 75, by the end of his reign it was reduced to 25, while the number of legions was increased to 7 thousand people (6100 infantry and 726 horsemen). The legions were assigned numbers and various names (often by the name of the area - German, Italian), each legion had a "banner" - a silver eagle on a pole. According to written sources, over 80 different legions that existed at different times are identified. During the division of the Roman Empire (end of the 4th century AD), there were 70 legions in the Eastern Empire, and 63 legions in the Western. The legion in the era of the empire was led by a legatus, usually a senator of about thirty years old, who held this position for three years. The legate was appointed directly by the emperor. He was directly subordinated to six military tribunes - the tribunes of laticlavius (tribunus laticlavius, the second most important position in the imperial legion), usually appointed directly by the emperor or the senate, and five tribunes of the angustiklavii (tribuni angusticlavii). In addition, the prefect of the camp (praefectus castrorum) and primipil (primus pilus), the centurion of the first century, the most experienced warrior of the legion, were of great importance in the legion.

Under Domitian and subsequent emperors, the legions were constantly deployed in their camp, many camps subsequently grew into cities. From the 3rd c. n. e. the fighting qualities of the legions are gradually declining due to the barbarization of the army, in addition, the cavalry, acting separately from the legion, begins to play an increasingly important role. The name "legion" was used in the 16-19 centuries. for various military formations in France, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Poland, Spain. The most famous is the French

Legion (Ancient Rome)

Roman legionnaires (modern reconstruction)

The legion consisted of 5-6 thousand (in later periods - up to 8 thousand) foot soldiers and several hundred horsemen. Each legion had its own number and name. According to the surviving written sources, approximately 50 different legions have been identified, although it is believed that their number in each historical period did not exceed twenty-eight, but if necessary, it could be increased.

At the head of the legion during the period of the Republic was a military tribune, during the period of the Empire - a legate.

Roman legionary (modern reconstruction)

Legionnaire on the move. Reconstruction. Legionnaire in full armor; the helmet hangs on a special hook attached to the shell. On a stick (furca), the legionnaire carries luggage, consisting of a chest, a net for provisions, a pot with a spoon and a fur for water. In the event of an alarm, the luggage could be thrown instantly.

Story

Initially (in the era of the Roman kingdom) legion the entire Roman army was called, which was a slave-owning militia of about 3 thousand infantry and 300 horsemen from wealthy citizens who gathered only during the war or for military training.

Tactics: basic phalanx formation with cavalry on the flanks and light infantry out of formation

Armament: 1st and 2nd row - the most wealthy - bronze shell, helmet, round shield, leggings, sword, spear, dart, subsequent rows (6 in total) have increasingly lighter weapons.

Legion of the Republic period

At a certain period of time (perhaps in the early period of the Roman Republic, which was headed by two consuls), the legion (Roman army) was divided into two separate legions, each of which was subordinate to one of the consuls.

In the early years of the Roman Republic, hostilities were mainly armed raids, and therefore it is not known whether the full combat power of the legion was involved in the course of hostilities.

The wars waged by the Roman Republic became more frequent and took on the character of planned military operations. In the IV century BC. e. two legions were already subordinate to each consul, and their total number increased to four. If necessary, conducting a military campaign recruited additional legions.

From 331 BC e. at the head of each legion stood a military tribune. The internal structure of the legion became more complex, the battle order was changed from the classical phalanx to manipulative, and at the same time the tactics of the combat use of the legions were improved.

From the beginning of the IV century BC. e. soldiers were given a small salary. The legion began to have 3,000 heavy infantry (principles, hastati, triarii), 1,200 light infantry (velites) and 300 cavalry.

Organization: initially 4200 infantry in 30 tactical divisions - maniples (60-120 soldiers each, consisting of 2 centuries), reduced to 10 cohorts, and 300 horsemen in 10 tours.

Tactics: transition from phalanx to manipulative formation (clear division into 3 lines and manipular units in a row with gaps). The battle formation of the legion consisted of 3 lines of 10 maniples each.

hastati - 1200 people \u003d 10 maniples \u003d 20 centuries of 60 people each - 1 row;
principles - 1200 people \u003d 10 maniples \u003d 20 centuries of 60 people - 2nd row;
triarii - 600 people \u003d 10 maniples \u003d 20 centuries of 30 people each - 3rd row;
light infantry - velites, out of order (1200 people);
cavalry on the flanks.

Legions (now largely Germanic) are being built in columns, switching to a spear instead of a javelin and a sword, and armor is also significantly lightened. At the end of the existence of the Western Roman Empire, they give way to mercenary barbarian units, but the last legion was disbanded already in the Byzantine Empire.

Legions in modern history

Name " legion» was used in the XVI - centuries. for military formations of irregular strength, as a rule, volunteers. Particularly famous

More than once she was perceived as a role model. The elite of many states proclaimed themselves the successors of the Romans, assuming the divine mission of recreating the world empire. She imitated state institutions, the customs of the Romans, architecture. However, few people managed to bring their army to perfection. The famous Roman legions that created the largest relied on a rare combination of high skill and the impeccable ability of each warrior to fight in any situation, regardless of the number of supporters. This was the secret of the greatest victories of Roman arms.

The Romans knew how to quickly and clearly rebuild during battles. They could break up into small units and come together again, go on the attack and close in a dead defense. At any tactical level, they consistently carried out the orders of the commanders. The amazing discipline and sense of elbow of the Roman legionnaires is the result of a careful selection of physically developed young people into the army, the fruit of a system of training in perfect military art. Vegetius's treatise "On Military Affairs" describes the discipline that prevailed among the Roman legionnaires. He wrote about the weapons skills brought to automaticity, unquestioning obedience and accuracy in carrying out orders, about the high level of tactical literacy of each of the legionnaires, as well as their interaction with others. It was the greatest army that ever existed.

Initially, the legion was called the whole, which was a militia of free citizens selected according to the property principle. The army was assembled only for military training and during the war. The word legion comes from lat. legio - "military call". But such an army could not provide reliable protection for a state that was constantly waging wars of conquest. Its reorganization was carried out by the commander Gaius Marius. Even poor Roman citizens were now drafted into the professional army for a service life of 25 years. The order of supplying them with weapons was determined. As a reward for their service, veterans received land allotments and a cash pension. Allies were granted Roman citizenship for service.

The Roman legions got the opportunity to train according to the same standards, to have the same equipment. Legionnaires were trained throughout the year. One legion included about 6,000 men, 5,200 of whom were soldiers. It was divided into 10 cohorts of 6 centuries. The latter, in turn, were divided by 10 people into decuria. The cavalry was divided into turmes. The army has become more mobile, disciplined. In the republican period, a military tribune was at the head of the legion, in the imperial period, a legate. Each legion had its own name and number. According to written sources that have survived to this day, there were about 50 of them.

Thanks to the reforms, the Roman legions in a fairly short period of time became a professionally trained unsurpassed army that increased the military power of the empire. The Roman army was excellently armed, distinguished by strict discipline, its commanders were fluent in the art of war. There was a special system of fines and punishments, based on the fear of losing the respect of their colleagues, patron, emperor. The Romans used a long tradition of punishing disobedient warriors: the execution of every tenth of the units into which the soldiers were divided was practiced. For legionnaires who evaded military service in the 3rd century. BC. The death penalty was passed. Warriors who preferred suicide to captivity were glorified.

In the Roman army, the infantry was the main action provided by the fleet. But the main tactical and organizational unit was the legion, which from the 4th century BC. e. consisted of 10 turmes (cavalry) and the same number of maniples (infantry). It also included a convoy, throwing and ramming machines. At some historical moments, the number of the legion increased.

Tactics, combat schedule, armament, rare defeats and the highest victories are described in the book of A. Makhlayuk, A. Negin “Roman legions in battle.” It was not for nothing that the legions were called the backbone of the greatest ancient state. They conquered half the world for the empire and are rightfully considered the most advanced and powerful fighting machine of that time. Surpass the legionnaires before the 18th century AD. e. nobody succeeded.

The history of the Roman legions in all its grandeur is presented in the book of the Austrian writer Stephen Dando-Collins “The Legions of Rome. A complete history of all the legions of the Roman Empire, where he collected and systematized unique information about all these military units of Ancient Rome. Each of them is described from the moment of creation, their combat path, successes and defeats in battles are traced. The Roman legions have been studied from the conditions of selection to the methods of military training of legionnaires. The book presents a description of weapons, equipment, military distinctions, a system of awards and wages, features of discipline and punishments. The structure of the legions, the strategy and tactics of combat are analyzed in sufficient detail. It is an entire history guide including diagrams, maps, battle plans and photographs.

Roman legionnaires (reconstruction)

Legionnaires in service (reconstruction)

The legion consisted of 5 thousand (in later periods 4320) foot soldiers and several hundred horsemen. Each legion had its own number and name. According to the surviving written sources, approximately 50 different legions have been identified, although it is believed that their number in each historical period did not exceed twenty-eight, but if necessary, it could be increased.

At the head of the legion during the period of the Republic was a military tribune, during the period of the Empire - a legate.

legion of roman kings

Initially legion the whole Roman army was called, which was a militia of about 3 thousand infantry and 300 horsemen from wealthy citizens who gathered only during the war or for military training.

Thus, the military power of the curia and the community as a whole was made dependent on the natural reproduction of the male population. In the early royal period, when the Roman community had not yet reached its demographic limits and was open to the adoption of new genera from neighboring subjugated tribes, these negative aspects were still hidden. But in the seventh century BC e., as is clear from the data of the written tradition, the formation of new curia and the relatively easy adoption of new clans into existing ones come to naught, and soon the inhibitory role of the curate principle of army formation was especially clearly manifested during the clash of the Romans at the end of the 7th and 6th centuries. BC e. with such a strong people as the Etruscans.

In the VIII century BC. e. warriors fought on foot, and their weapons were spears, darts, swords, daggers and axes. Only the richest could afford armor, most often limited to a helmet and a small plate that covered only the chest.

In the 7th-6th centuries BC. e. The Roman army, presumably, was a typical Etruscan army (since the Romans were under the rule of the Etruscans and the army included representatives of the Romans, Etruscans (forming a phalanx) and Latins (fighting, out of habit, in free formation). The Etruscan-Roman army consisted of 40 centuries of hoplites (I category), which were armed according to the Greek model, 10 centuries of spearmen with medium weapons (II category), armed according to the Italian model with a spear and sword, and also having a helmet, greaves and an Italian shield (scutum): 10 centuries of lightly armed spearmen (III category), who had a spear, sword, helmet and scutum, 10 centuries of skirmishers (IV category), who owned a spear, dart and scutum, and, finally, 15 centuries of slingers (V category). what size army was required.According to the same scheme, an army was built from veterans who made up the internal garrison.

Reform of Servius Tullius (6th century BC)

Organization: property qualification and age division (the older ones were in reserves and garrisons, singled out the so-called "juniors" (from 18 to 46 years old) and "seniors" (over 46 years old)), universal military duty for citizens, high command - two military tribune.

Tactics: basic phalanx formation with cavalry on the flanks and light infantry out of formation

I category (property of more than 100 thousand asses) - Warriors of this category formed 80 centuries and had to have a shell (lorica), a helmet (galea), leggings (ocrea), a round clipeus-type shield, and from an offensive weapon (tela) - a spear (hasta) and sword (gladius or mucro). Such full armament generally corresponds to the type of so-called hoplite equipment. Warriors of the 1st category stood in the phalanx in the first row.
II category (property of more than 75 thousand asses) - Warriors of this category formed 20 centuries and had to have a helmet (galea), leggings (ocrea), a shield (scutum), a sword (gladius) and a spear (hasta). Historians give these fighters a place in the second row of the army.
III category (property of more than 50 thousand asses) - Warriors of this category formed 20 centuries and were supposed to have a helmet, shield, sword and spear. In the ranks, they respectively occupied the 3rd row.
IV category (property of more than 25 thousand asses) - Warriors of this category formed 20 centuries and had to have a shield (scutum), a sword (gladius or mucro), and two spears (a long hasta and a throwing dart verrutum). Warriors of the 4th category occupied the last line in the battle, and also, according to some sources, covered the legion in case of withdrawal.
V category (property of more than 11 thousand asses) - The warriors of this category formed 30 centuries and were supposed to have a sling. They were out of order and performed a supporting role.

Centuries of different ranks were, of course, of different sizes.

Legion of the Early Republic period

In the early years of the Roman Republic, hostilities were mainly armed raids, and therefore it is not known whether the full combat power of the legion was involved in the course of hostilities.

From the beginning of the IV century BC. e. soldiers were given a small salary. The Legion began to have 3,000 heavy infantry (English) Russian (principles, hastati, triarii), 1200 light infantry (velites) and 300 cavalry.

Organization: initially 4200 infantry in 30 tactical divisions - maniples (consisting of 2 centuries of 60-120 soldiers), reduced to 10 cohorts, and 300 horsemen in 10 turmas.

hastati - 1200 people \u003d 10 maniples \u003d 20 centuries of 60 people each - 1 row;
principles - 1200 people \u003d 10 maniples \u003d 20 centuries of 60 people - 2nd row;
triarii - 600 people \u003d 10 maniples \u003d 20 centuries of 30 people each - 3rd row;
light infantry - velites, out of order (1200 people);
cavalry on the flanks.

By the beginning of the 2nd Punic War (218 BC -201 BC), the number of infantry was increased to 5000-5200 people by increasing the number of individual centuries.

In addition, detachments of the allied forces (alas, from alae- wings located on the flanks) under the command of the prefects - acting as tribunes of the legion. Auxiliary units (also called auxiliaries) continued to form part of the army.

In connection with the ruin of the free peasantry, military service was abolished, the salaries of the soldiers were increased, and the Roman army became a professional mercenary army.

Composition of the legion

During the era of the Republic, the legion included the following units:

Cavalry (riders). The heavy cavalry was originally the most prestigious branch of the army, where the wealthy Roman youth could demonstrate their valor and skill, thereby laying the foundation for their future political career. The cavalryman himself bought weapons and equipment - a round shield, helmet, armor, sword and spears. The legion consisted of approximately 300 cavalry, divided into units of 30 under the command of a decurion. In addition to heavy cavalry, there was also light cavalry, which was recruited from poor citizens and young wealthy citizens who were not suitable for age in hastati or riders.

Light Infantry (velites). Velites, armed with darts and swords, did not have a strictly defined place and purpose in battle order. They were used where needed.

Heavy Infantry. The main combat unit of the legion. It consisted of legionary citizens who could afford to purchase equipment, which included a bronze helmet, shield, armor and a short spear - a pilum dart (pilum). Favorite weapon - gladius (short sword). Heavy infantry was subdivided in accordance with the combat experience of the legionnaires (before the reforms of Gaius Marius, who abolished the division of infantry into classes and turned the legions into a professional army) into three lines of battle order:

Hastati (hasstatus) - the youngest - 1 row Principles (princeps) - warriors in their prime (25-35 years old) - 2nd row triarii (triarius) - veterans - in the last row; in battle they were involved only in the most desperate and difficult situations.

Each of the three lines was divided into tactical divisions-maniples of 60-120 warriors, which made up 2 centuries under the command of the eldest of the two centurions (centurion II rank). Nominally, the century consisted of 100 soldiers, but in reality it could number up to 60 people, especially in maniples. triarii.

In battle, the maniples were usually arranged in a checkerboard pattern, which was called quincunx. Maniples principles covered the gap between hastati, and those were covered by maniples triarii. The chess order is an early legion formation structure. After the 2nd century BC, a continuous construction prevails, without breaks.

Legion of the Late Republic

Exit from the camp (reconstruction)

Organization: as a result of the reform of Gaius Marius cohorts replace the maniples as the Legion's main tactical unit. The cohort consists of 6 centuries. There were also specialized (such as firefighters) cohorts.

The legion consisted of approximately 4,800 legionnaires and a significant number of support personnel, servants and slaves. The legion could include up to 6000 warriors, although at times their number was reduced to 1000 in order to deprive the willful commanders of support. The legions of Julius Caesar numbered approximately 3300 - 3600 people.

Each legion was given auxiliary troops almost the same number - this included numerous specialists - sappers, scouts, doctors, standard bearers (the Roman army did not have banners in the modern sense of the word - they were replaced by legionary emblems in the form of eagles on a long shaft), secretaries, personnel of throwing weapons and siege towers, various service units and units from non-citizens (Roman citizenship was granted to them upon dismissal) - light cavalry, light infantry, weapons workshop workers.

The political role of the legions

In the era of the late Republic and Empire, the legions began to play a serious political role. It is no coincidence that Augustus, after the most severe defeat of the Romans in the Teutoburg Forest (9 AD), exclaimed, clutching his head, “Quintilius Varus, give me back my legions.” They could ensure the capture and retention of power in Rome by the future emperor - or, conversely, deprive him of all hopes. In an attempt to weaken the possible threat of the use of the military power of the legions by contenders for power in Rome, the governors of the provinces were forbidden to leave their province along with their subordinate troops. When Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon and brought his troops into Italy, it caused a crisis in Rome.

The legions also played a huge role in the Romanization of the barbarian population. Being located on the borders of the Empire, they attracted traders from the center and thus there was a cultural exchange between the Roman world and the barbarian.

Imperial legions

Under Emperor Augustus, the number of legions, which had grown greatly during the civil wars, was reduced to 25 units by the end of his reign.

The transition in the era of the empire to the creation of more numerous permanent legions was caused mainly by internal reasons - the desire to ensure the loyalty of the legions to the emperor, and not to military leaders. The names of the legions came from the names of the provinces in which they were created (Italian, Macedonian).

The legion began to lead the legate ( legatus) - usually it was a senator who held this position for three years. Six military tribunes were directly subordinate to him - five staff officers and a sixth - a candidate for senators.

Legion officers

senior officers

legion legion (Legatus Legionis) : Commander of the legion. The emperor usually appointed the former tribune to this post for three or four years, but the legate could hold his post for much longer. In the provinces where the legion was stationed, the legate was also the governor. Where there were several legions, each of them had his own legate, and they were all under the general command of the governor of the province.

Tribune Laticlavius (Tribunus laticlavius) : This tribune to the legion was appointed by the emperor or the senate. He was usually young and less experienced than the five military tribunes (Tribuni Angusticlavii - see below), nevertheless, his position was second in seniority in the legion, immediately after the legate. The title of the position comes from the word laticlava”, which means two wide purple stripes on the tunic laid down by officials of senatorial rank.

Camp prefect (Praefectus Castrorum) : Third highest post in the legion. It was usually occupied by a promoted veteran soldier who had previously held the post of one of the centurions.

Tribunes of Angustiklavia (Tribuni Angusticlavii) : In each legion there were five military tribunes from the estate of horsemen. Most often, these were professional soldiers who occupied high administrative posts in the legion, and during the hostilities they could, if necessary, command the legion. They relied on tunics with narrow purple stripes ( angusticlava), which is where the job title comes from.

Primipil (Primus Pilus) : The highest-ranking centurion of the legion, who led the first double centuria. In the I-II centuries AD. e. upon dismissal from military service, the primipil was enrolled in the estate of horsemen and could reach a high equestrian position in the civil service. The name literally means "first line". Due to the similarity of the words pilus (rank) and pilum (pilum, throwing spear), the term is sometimes incorrectly translated as "centurion of the first spear".

Middle officers

Centurion (Centurio - hundred) : In each legion there were 59 centurions, centurion commanders. The centurions were the basis and backbone of the professional Roman army. These were professional warriors who lived the daily lives of their subordinate soldiers, and commanded them during the battle. Usually this post was received by veteran soldiers, however, one could also become a centurion by direct decree of the emperor or other high-ranking official. The cohorts were numbered from the first to the tenth, and the centuries within the cohorts - from the first to the sixth (there were only five centuries in the first cohort, but the first century was double) - thus, there were 58 centurions in the legion and primipils. The number of the centurion commanded by each centurion directly reflected his position in the legion, that is, the highest position was occupied by the centurion of the first century of the first cohort, and the lowest - the centurion of the sixth century of the tenth cohort. The five centurions of the first cohort were called " Primi Ordines". In each cohort, the centurion of the first century was called " Pilus Prior».

junior officers

Aquilifer (Aquilifer) : An extremely important and prestigious post (the literal translation of the name is “carrying an eagle.” The loss of a symbol (“eagle”) was considered a terrible dishonor, after which the legion was disbanded. If the eagle could be recaptured or returned in another way, the legion was re-formed with the same name and number .

Signifer (Signifer) : Each centuria had a treasurer who was responsible for paying salaries to soldiers and keeping their savings. He also carried the battle badge of the centuria ( Signum) - the shaft of a spear, decorated with medallions. At the top of the shaft was a symbol, most often an eagle. Sometimes - an image of an open palm.

Dean: commander of 10 soldiers with whom he lived in the same tent.

Kornitsen (Cornicen): Legion trumpeters who played the copper horn - corn. They were next to the standard-bearer, giving commands to collect to the combat badge and conveying the orders of the commander to the soldiers with bugle signals.

Tubitsen (Tubicen): Trumpeters who played the tuba, which was a copper or bronze pipe. The Tubicenes, who were under the legion of the legion, called on the soldiers to attack or trumpeted the retreat.

Bucinators (Bucinator): Trumpeters playing the bucine.

imaginifer (Imaginifer) : In battle, he carried the image of the emperor (lat. imago), which served as a constant reminder of the loyalty of the troops to the head of the Roman Empire.

Vexillaria (Vexillarius) : In battle, he carried the standard (vexillum) of a certain infantry or cavalry unit of the Roman troops.

Reforms of Augustus

Organization: legion legate - the only commander, the first cohort has twice the number of people, the post of prefect of the camp is introduced.

Formation: service is allowed for residents of the provinces, but command posts are only for Roman citizens.

Privilege: service in auxiliary units gives citizenship to immigrants, increases salaries.

Armament: Leggings are no longer usable. In the 1st century n. e. segmented armor appears in the German legions. During Trajan's Dacian campaign, bracers are used by foot soldiers.

Hadrian's reforms

Organization: an increase in the powers of the tribunes, a decrease in the powers of the centurions.

Formation: legions are formed in places of permanent deployment.

Armament: Improved cavalry equipment.

Reforms of Septimius Severus

Organization: the prefect of the camp becomes the prefect of the legion and takes on part of his powers.

Formation: Non-citizens are allowed to hold command positions.

Armament: the spatha long sword replaces the traditional gladius, which indirectly indicates a change in the nature of combat formations, because it is easier to fight with a long sword in a less dense formation than a gladius, more adapted for a dense formation.