Year 9 Latin Research Project - the Roman Army Training, Weapons and Structure. By Nathan Hancock, George Preston, Alex Firth and Uzayr Nazir

1. B Y N A T H A N H A N C O C K , G E O R G E P R E S T O N , A L E X
F I R T H A N D U Z A Y R N A Z I R
AN INTRODUCTION TO
THE ROMAN ARMY

2. STRUCTURE OF THE ROMAN ARMY
• The structure of the Roman
Army has evolved over many
years, generally considered to
cumulate with the classic
Legionary system operated in
the time of Augustus.
• This was the must successful
form of the force and hence it
is the one that is remembered
and indeed the one taught on
the curriculum this year.

3. STRUCTURE OF THE LEGIONARY
ROMAN ARMY

4. ARMY STRUCTURE
• Within the army, there were two types of soldiers,
the Legionaries and the Auxiliaries.
• Legionaries were roman citizens and extremely well
trained warriors.
• Auxiliaries were people from newfound territories
who did not have citizenship. They would be
trained, payed and equipped more poorly.

5. TRAINING OF SOLDIERS
• For such an elite force such as
the roman army, continued
training was very important.
• In training soldiers could be
expected to march over 20 miles
per day, in full armour and
carrying rations and camping
equipment.
• They were trained to advance
with their shields facing the
opposition.
• If they were pelted with missiles
from above, they would form a
formation known as the tetsudo,
translating to mean Tortoise.

6. ADDITIONAL UTILISATION OF THE
ROMAN ARMY
• The roman army did not spend all of it’s time
fighting in conflicts.
• When the force was not fighting it executed other
imperial orders such as building Roads and Camps.
• The presence of the roman army in a province
served to enforce the law through deterrence.
• If any uprising occurred the presence of the army in
the region was able to quickly act to stamp it out
before it escalated.

7. WEAPONRY - ARMOUR
• The chest armour worn
was known as the Lorica,
one of the more common
of these known as the
Lorica Segmenta.
• It proved effective at
resisting both swords and
spears.
• The Lorica Segmenta also
allowed for greater
mobility offered than
alternatives.

8. WEAPONRY - ARMOUR
• The rounded shield
commonly associated with
the roman army is the
Scutum.
• Was made out of wood with
metal used for the handle
guard.
• Was relatively easy to
produce and maintain.
• Provided a first line of
defence against blows.
• Could be hoisted in the
tetsudo formation.

9. WEAPONRY - HELMET
• As well as serving as
protection to his head, a
roman soldiers helmet
denoted his rank.
• All soldiers were issued
with a helmet when they
joined the army.
• Was known as a Galea.

10. WEAPONRY - SWORD
• Soldiers were issued
with a sword, Gladius
and a dagger, Pugio.
• The Gladius was
effective for both
stabbing and slashing.
• The pugio was a multi
purpose tool, in some
ways comparable with
the swiss army knife.

11. WEAPONRY - SPEAR
• Roman soldiers were
issued with a spear known
as a pilum.
• Was thrown at the enemy
at the start of the battle.
• The soft metal tip
deformed rendering it
incapable of harm if
thrown back.

12. A N Y Q U E S T I O N S ?
THANK YOU FOR
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