Early Roman Military

Velites

Hastati

Principes

Triarii

The First Punic War264-241 BC

Hamilcar Barca VS. Gaius Dullius and Gaius Catulus

First appearance of the corvus in naval combat

Key to Roman naval success

Photo courtesy of http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/first-punic-war-battle-granger.jpg

The Second Punic War219- 201 BC

Hannibal Barca VS. Publius Scipio

The Romans lost battles at Trebia, Lake Trasimine, and Cannae

Finally achieved victory at Zama under Scipio

Photo Courtesy of http://webs.bcp.org/sites/lwest/hannibal_Elephants.jpg

Photo courtesy of http://www.ancient.eu/uploads/images/553.gif

The Third Punic War149- 146 BC

Haasdrubal Boetharch VS. Scipio the Younger

Cato the Elder roused Rome to destroy Carthage

After a 2 year siege, the Romans destroyed Carthage and sold the survivors into slavery

Photo Courtesy ofhttp://www.meodia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/27348troubleInParadise.jpg

Photo courtesy of http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Testudo_formation.jpg

The Roman Military After Marius- 107 BC

The Roman military was broken down into units, much like modern militaries• Legions• Cohorts• CenturiesEach level was run by a commanding officer• A Legatus legionis commanded a

Legion of roughly 5,400 men• Equivalent to a modern

General, and served as a regional Governor

Similar to the current structure of the American military, the Roman legions were broken down into smaller units, and some officers served as both military and civilian leaders similar to our state Governors.

• The military relied on heavy infantry, but was supported by archers, cavalry, chariots and light auxiliary troops.

The versatility and excellent training of the Roman military created one of the most effective fighting forces in history, and was crucial to the expansion of the Republic and the Empire.

Photo courtesy of http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Roman_cavalry_reenactment_Carnuntum_2008_06.jpg

Photo courtesy of http://roadchimp.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/legion.jpeg

Photos courtesy of http://www.legionxxiv.org/catapulta

Why it matters

• The strict discipline and versatile structure of the Roman Legion allowed the Romans to create the largest continuous Empire the world had ever seen

• This led to a booming market economy with international trade possible on a scale comparable to modern markets