Legionary
These soldiers would conquer and defend the territories of ancient Rome during the late Republic and Principate eras, alongside auxiliary and cavalry detachments.
Legionnaires were expected to fight, but they also built much of the infrastructure of the Roman Empire and served as a policing force in the provinces.
[2] Once retired, a Roman legionary received a parcel of land or its equivalent in money and often became a politically prominent member of society.
Other changes were supposed to have included the introduction of the cohort; the institution of a single form of heavy infantry with uniform equipment; the universal adoption of the eagle standard; and the abolition of the citizen cavalry.
[6] It was commonly believed that Marius changed the soldiers' socio-economic background by allowing citizens without property to join the Roman army, a process called "proletarianisation".
Thus, Augustus managed to end the civil wars which defined the late Roman Republic and created an army that was broadly loyal to only the emperor.
[3] Legionnaires would expand Rome's borders to include lower Britannia, Dacia, North Africa, and more through military campaigns under Augustus and future emperors.
Septimus Severus, perhaps unwittingly, began this decline when he lavished his legionaries with donatives and pay increases, recognising that they were his key to becoming and staying emperor.
By the 4th century, Roman infantry lacked much of the body armor of the classical legionary and used darts rather than the pila of their predecessors.
Lacking a professional police force, governors would use legionaries to keep the peace and protect critical facilities.
High ranking soldiers often acted as judges in disputes among local populations and the army was an important component of tax collection.
Included in the ranks, aside from the milites, were the immunes, specialist soldiers with secondary roles such as engineer, artilleryman, drill and weapons instructor, carpenter and medic.
[24] Though Roman legionaries were predominantly made up of volunteer citizens, conscription of recruits continued through Republic era and into the Principate, especially in times of crisis.
[25] With the state providing the equipment to the recruits and no property requirements, even the poorest Roman citizens were able to join the legions.
With a steady pay, good retirement benefits, and even certain legal advantages, a legionary had many perks that common citizens found desirable.
This commonly consisted of chain (lorica hamata), scaled (lorica squamata), or in the 1st–3rd century sectioned (lorica segmentata) armour, shield (scutum), helmet (galea), two javelins (one heavy pilum and one light verutum), a short sword (gladius), a dagger (pugio), a belt (balteus), a pair of heavy sandals (caligae), a pair of greaves, a pair of manicas, a marching pack (sarcina), about fourteen days' worth of food, a waterskin (bladder for posca), cooking equipment, two stakes (sudes murale) for the construction of palisades, a shovel, and a wicker basket.
[28] After the military reforms of Emperor Claudius (circa 41 AD), each legion would also be requisitioned a certain number of artillery pieces.
Less extreme punishments included demotions, changing the wheat rations to barley, and the removal of some identifying military gear.
[28] The Roman legionary's three principal weapons were the pilum (javelin), scutum (shield), and gladius (short sword).
These fairly simple tools combined with impressive discipline made the Roman legionary an extremely effective soldier in the ancient world.
These gaps would allow for reserve units to enter battle or serve as avenues for skirmishing forces to retreat back behind the legionaries.
[18] Plunder and loot also supplement a legionary's income and is used as a large incentive for soldiers to follow their emperor in campaigns.
At the end of their years of service, Roman legionaries received a small allotment of land or a monetary equivalent.
In the words of Josephus "they are moreover hardened for war by fear; for their laws inflict capital punishments, not only for soldiers running away from the ranks, but for slothfulness and inactivity".
This included a variety of foodstuffs but mainly wine, vinegar, vegetables (largely beans or lentils), salt, salt-pork, cheese, and olive oil.
Through foraging, trade with merchants, requisitioning, or raiding during campaigns, the Roman legionary could obtain other foodstuffs not included in his rations.
[33] Permanent Roman forts would contain hospitals, where doctors (medici) operated on wounded, injured, or sick legionaries.
[39] These medical personnel also isolated sick soldiers, thereby reducing the chance of a possibly infectious disease spreading through the army.
Roman forts and camps were also planned in such a way as to minimize the spread of water-borne illnesses, which ravaged many ancient armies.
Legionary is also a term used for members of various military forces which have been accorded the title of "legion", although bearing no resemblance to the heavy infantry of ancient Rome.
