Philip Matyszak - Legionary: The Roman Soldier’s (Unofficial) Manual

LEGIONARY

About the Author

Philip Matyszak has a doctorate in Roman history from St Johns College, Oxford, and is the author of Chronicle of the Roman Republic, The Enemies of Rome, The Sons of Caesar, Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day and Ancient Athens on Five Drachmas a Day. He teaches an e-learning course in Ancient History for the Institute of Continuing Education at Cambridge University.

Other titles in this series include:

Gladiator: The Roman Fighters (Unofficial) Manual

Knight: The Medieval Warriors (Unofficial) Manual

Samurai: The Japanese Warriors (Unofficial) Manual

Viking: The Norse Warriors (Unofficial) Manual

Other titles by Philip Matyszak published by
Thames & Hudson include:

Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day

The Enemies of Rome: From Hannibal to Attila the Hun

The Greek and Roman Myths: A Guide to the Classical Stories

Lives of the Romans

The Sons of Caesar: Imperial Romes First Dynasty

Other titles of interest published by
Thames & Hudson include:

Rome & the Sword: How Warriors & Weapons Shaped Roman History

The Complete Roman Army

Chronicle of the Roman Emperors: The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Rulers of Imperial Rome

See our websites

www.thamesandhudson.com

www.thamesandhudsonusa.com

To John Radford, Gunther Maser and the others from 5 Group, Mrewa.

Contents

conscribe te militem in legionibus. pervagare orbem terrarum. inveni terras externas. cognosce miros peregrinos. eviscera eos *

* Join the legions, see the world, travel to foreign parts, meet interesting and exotic people, and disembowel them.

Rome needs you!

In this year, AD 100, one of the first years of the reign of the emperor Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus (later known as Trajan), Romes empire knows no bounds. Our frontiers stretch to the deserts beyond distant Palmyra, and across the bogs and mists of Britannia. Yet everywhere, Romes security is at risk. Scheming and subversive political elements foment rebellion within the framework of the state, wild barbarians constantly probe the borders for weakness, and the great and jealous power of Parthia threatens the entire East. Against these multiple dangers stand two great towers of defence the wisdom and energy of our emperor, and the might of the Roman army, which, ever faithful, protects and serves the Roman people.

Never has there ever been a better time to join the Roman army. Three generations since the emperor Augustus put it on to a professional footing, the military system has been fine-tuned to create the deadliest and most sophisticated fighting force the world has ever seen. Everything is organized with Roman precision, from when a raw recruit signs on, until after he has been pensioned off (or given a decent funeral). After 40 years of being (militarily speaking) one of the most interesting places in the empire, the defiant Britons have been largely subdued, and the glory days of campaigning in wet socks have come to an end. Attention is turning to the troublesome kingdom of Dacia beyond the Danube, and after that, a final reckoning with the Parthians awaits in the desert sands of Mesopotamia.

Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, Imperator Optimus, ruler of Rome, master of the known world and your commander-in-chief. Here we see him in armour, with his generals red cloak draped over one arm. Born in Hispania Baetica (Spain) in AD 53, Trajan has been emperor since AD 98. May his reign be long and glorious! (Muse du Louvre, Paris)

The army of Rome possesses the worlds most advanced and powerful weapons and equipment, making it second to none in terms of mobility, firepower and protection. A legionary might find his home in an army post anywhere in the empire, where hell live and train to be at his best for when the army takes the field. For the right recruit, the army can provide direction, career opportunities and a steady income for the next 25 years. This manual will provide guidance for all of those years, from where and how to sign up, to the complexities of training, armour and drill. It will give you tips on surviving battle and life in camp, and finally guide you to a peaceful and prosperous retirement when your campaigning days are done.

Who can sign up?

Without the Roman army, there would be no Rome. Being a soldier is one of the citys proudest traditions. Most of Romes emperors have been soldiers, and in the days of the Republic few politicians could face the voters and win office if they had not already faced Romes enemies and won victories in the field. Romulus, Cincinnatus, Cato the Censor and Cicero all saw military action. The men they commanded were Roman citizens, and citizens of good standing too, for the ranks of Romes army were and still are closed against slaves, criminals and neer-do-wells.

The Pax Romana The Roman Peace

The known world is entering into a period of unprecedented peace and prosperity which will be known to later generations as the Pax Romana. This peace does not mean that the legions wont spend much of their time killing and getting killed by enemies outside the Roman frontiers, but within the borders of the empire there is an agreement between Rome and her subjects that the subjects will not rebel, and in return the legionaries will not burn down their cities and crucify the inhabitants. This policy works well, but requires emperors to have a degree of skill and competence, like those that Rome will be blessed with for most of the next century. Even the most benevolent emperors discreetly let potential trouble-makers know that they have a legion or two within pillaging distance.

A Roman recruiter, such as the man on the far right, might dream of a crush such as this (shown here on Trajans column) of fresh, healthy recruits eager to sign up for a quarter-century of service with Roman legions. Any runaway slaves or wanted criminals in the queue can expect rejection and punishment. (National Museum, Bucharest)

No youth born from parents such as those [neer-do-wells] could stain the sea with Carthaginian blood, nor throw down Pyrrhus, and mighty Antiochus, and the terrible Hannibal. No, it was the manly progeny of rustic soldiers, young men taught to turn the soil with Sabine spades, and to carry staves cut from the woods at the pleasure of a strict mother.

HORACE ODES 3.6

So wrote the poet Horace, himself a country boy who served with the legions. Although Horace ingloriously ended his military career by dumping his shield and running for his life at the battle of Philippi in 42 BC , he has a point nevertheless. Roman recruits fall into three classes those involuntarily conscripted (