L'organizzazione delle legioni romane

Scripta Manent - Roberto Trizio

14 Dec 201803:15

Summary

TLDRThe video script delves into the intricate structure of the Roman army, highlighting the two primary types of soldiers: the legionary, a Roman citizen, and the auxiliary, a non-Roman specialist. Each soldier was responsible for their own equipment and took an oath of loyalty. The legionary joined infantry units, forming part of a group of eight men sharing quarters. New recruits performed heavy labor until selected for specialized roles. The script outlines the hierarchical organization, from the centurion to the legatus, and the roles they played in commanding the Roman legions, which were the largest military units. Non-Roman auxiliaries, recruited for their unique skills, served in specialized cavalry and infantry units, separate from the legions. After 25 years of service, an auxiliary soldier was granted land, a pension, and full Roman citizenship for themselves and their descendants, illustrating the rewards and integration of non-citizens into Roman society.

Takeaways

🏺 **Citizen Soldiers**: Roman citizens served as legionaries, which were the backbone of the Roman army.
🏰 **Auxiliary Troops**: Non-Romans were recruited as specialists, serving as auxiliaries with their unique skills and abilities.
🛡️ **Equipment and Loyalty**: Both legionaries and auxiliaries had to provide their own equipment and swear an oath of loyalty.
🏠 **Barracks Life**: Legionaries joined infantry units and shared living quarters as part of a group of eight men.
🔨 **New Recruits' Duties**: New soldiers were assigned heavy and dirty work until they were selected for specialized tasks.
🏺 **Centurion Hierarchy**: A centuria, led by a centurion, was a basic unit with its own standard bearer.
🏛️ **Cohort and Legion Structure**: Six centurions formed a cohort, and ten cohorts along with a cavalry unit formed a legion.
🦅 **Eagle as Symbol**: The eagle was the symbol of the legion, carried by the aquilifer, and cohorts in a region were numbered from 1 to 10.
👑 **Senior Officers**: The primus pilus was the most senior among the centurions and could be promoted to the position of praefectus castrorum, managing the legion's daily affairs.
🏞️ **Regional Command**: The legatus, a senator from Rome, commanded the region and the legion in the field, which was made up of 6,000 Roman citizens.
🏇 **Specialist Regiments**: There were specialized cavalry regiments and some double regiments, including one in Britain, and partially mounted cohorts.
🏡 **Rewards for Auxiliaries**: After serving for 25 years, auxiliary soldiers were granted land, a pension, and full Roman citizenship for themselves, their children, and future generations.

Q & A

What were the two main types of soldiers in the Roman army?
-The two main types of soldiers in the Roman army were the legionaries, who were Roman citizens, and the auxiliaries, who were non-citizens serving as specialists.
What was the basic unit of Roman infantry that a legionary would join?
-A legionary would join a unit of infantry known as a contubernium, which was a group of eight men sharing a dormitory.
What was the name of the commander responsible for the daily management of a legion?
-The commander responsible for the daily management of a legion was known as the primus pilus or the chief centurion.
How many men were in a Roman legion, and what was their status?
-A Roman legion was composed of approximately 6,000 men, each of whom was a Roman citizen.
What was the role of the non-Romans in the Roman army?
-Non-Romans served as specialists in the auxiliary units, where they were recruited from across the empire to use their talents and skills in service of Rome.
What was the symbol of the Roman legion?
-The symbol of the Roman legion was the eagle, known as the Aquila, which was carried by the aquilifer.
What was the term for a cavalry regiment in the Roman army?
-A cavalry regiment in the Roman army was referred to as an ala.
How were the auxiliary infantry units organized?
-Auxiliary infantry units were organized similarly to legionary cohorts, but they were not part of larger units like legions.
What was the reward given to an auxiliary soldier after serving for 25 years in the Roman army?
-After serving for 25 years, an auxiliary soldier was granted a piece of land, a pension, and all the rights of a Roman citizen for himself, his children, and future generations.
What was the rank of the most senior centurion in a Roman legion?
-The most senior centurion in a Roman legion was the primus pilus or the chief centurion.
Who was the commander of the entire region in the Roman army, and what was his role?
-The commander of the entire region in the Roman army was the legatus, who was a member of the Senate in Rome and commanded his legion in the field.
What was the name of the officer responsible for the logistics and support of a Roman legion?
-The officer responsible for the logistics and support of a Roman legion was known as the praefectus castrorum or the camp prefect.

Outlines

00:00

🏺 Roman Army Structure and Soldier Life

This paragraph introduces the two main types of Roman soldiers: the legionary, a Roman citizen, and the auxiliary. It explains that each soldier had to acquire their own equipment and swear an oath of loyalty. Legionaries joined infantry units as part of a group of eight men who shared a dormitory. New soldiers were assigned heavy and dirty work until they were chosen for a specialized role. The organizational structure of the Roman army is detailed, including the formation of a cohort from six centuries, the role of the first order as the most senior, and the promotion opportunities within the legion. The paragraph also highlights the importance of the Roman eagle as a symbol of the legion and the regional numbering of cohorts. Additionally, it discusses the command structure, with the legatus, a member of the Senate, commanding a strong legion of 6,000 men on the battlefield. Non-Roman specialists are also mentioned, highlighting their recruitment from across the empire to serve Rome's military.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Legionario

A 'Legionario' refers to a Roman citizen soldier who was part of the Roman army. They were expected to provide their own equipment and swear an oath of loyalty. In the video, they are mentioned as joining infantry units and forming the backbone of the Roman military forces.

💡Ausiliario

An 'Ausiliario' is a non-citizen soldier who served in the Roman army, often recruited from across the Roman Empire to utilize their specific talents and skills. They were specialists in various roles, such as cavalry, and were crucial to the Roman military's success.

💡Equipaggiamento

The term 'Equipaggiamento' refers to the equipment that soldiers, both 'Legionario' and 'Ausiliario', were required to provide for themselves. This included weapons and armor, which were essential for their service in the Roman army.

💡Giuramento di fedeltà

A 'Giuramento di fedeltà' or an 'oath of loyalty' was a pledge made by soldiers to the Roman state, signifying their commitment and allegiance. It was a critical ritual in the process of becoming a part of the Roman military.

💡Fanteria

'Fanteria' refers to the infantry, which was a key component of the Roman army. The script mentions 'Legionario' joining infantry units, highlighting their role in the military structure.

💡Centuria

A 'Centuria' was a subunit within the Roman legion, typically consisting of around 80 soldiers. It was commanded by a centurion and was a vital part of the Roman military's organization.

💡Legione

The 'Legione' or 'legion' was the largest unit of the Roman army, consisting of several thousand soldiers. It was symbolized by the eagle, as mentioned in the script, and was a formidable force in the Roman military.

💡Equitazione

Equitazione, or cavalry, refers to the mounted soldiers in the Roman army. The script discusses the importance of cavalry, including specialized regiments and auxiliary units, in the Roman military.

💡Cittadino romano

A 'Cittadino romano' is a Roman citizen, which was a status that came with certain rights and responsibilities. In the context of the video, it is mentioned that after 25 years of service, an auxiliary soldier could be granted the rights of a Roman citizen.

💡Appezzamento di terreno

An 'Appezzamento di terreno' or a land grant was given to auxiliary soldiers upon completion of their service. This was a significant reward, as it provided them with a means of livelihood and was a strong incentive for non-citizen soldiers to serve in the Roman army.

💡Aquila

The 'Aquila' or eagle was a symbol of the Roman legion, representing the unit's standard and a source of pride for the soldiers. It was carried into battle and was a focal point for the legion's identity.

Highlights

There were two main types of soldiers in the Roman army: the legionary, a Roman citizen, and the auxiliary.

Each soldier was required to provide their own equipment and take an oath of loyalty.

A legionary would join an infantry unit as part of a group of eight men sharing a dormitory.

New recruits performed heavy and dirty tasks until they were selected for a specialized role.

A contubernium formed a centuria with its own standard, commanded by a second in command and a centurion.

Six centurions formed a cohort, and ten cohorts plus a small cavalry unit formed the largest Roman military unit, the legion.

The legion's symbol was the eagle, carried by the aquilifer.

Cohorts in a region were numbered from 1 to 10, with the first cohort being extra large with five double centurions.

The primus pilus was the most senior among all centurions and could be promoted to the praefectus castrorum.

The praefectus castrorum was responsible for the daily management of the legion.

Seven men were superior to this prefect, including staff officers and the commander of the entire region, the legatus.

At Rome, the legatus was a member of the Senate and commanded a strong legion of 6,000 men, all Roman citizens.

Regional citizens were the backbone of the Roman army, while non-Romans were specialists in the cohorts and auxiliaries.

Non-Romans were recruited throughout the empire to serve Rome using their talents and skills.

One area of expertise was equitation, with a regiment of solely cavalry, some double regiments, and partially mounted cohorts.

Auxiliary infantry cohorts were organized like legionary cohorts but did not form large units or legions.

Each cohort had its own high-ranking commander to lead this more compact and maneuverable unit.

After serving 25 years in the Roman army, an auxiliary soldier was granted a plot of land, a pension, and all the rights of a Roman citizen for themselves, their children, and future generations.