Roman Battle Tactics & Weaponry
Gladius •
Main weapon
•
Used for stabbing through chainmail
•
Best suited for short range combat
http://www.trueswords.com
Pilum •
Hand held spear
•
Tip would crumple upon impact
•
Drew inspiration from Greek phalanx
http://romanmilitary.net/tools/
Pugio •
Standard sidearm
•
Best used for stabbing at very close range
http://www.swordsmith.net/roman.html
Spatha •
Primary weapon for cavalrymen
•
1 meter in length
•
Replaces the gladius throughout the infantry
http://armor.com/custom902.html
The Tortoise •
Protection from projectiles
•
Curvature of the shields allowed great visibility without sacrificing much defense
http://www.roman-empire.net/army/testudo.html
The Orb •
Implemented when surrounded
•
Enemies kept at bay by the reach of the soldiers’ sword or spear
http://www.roman-empire.net/army/orb.html
Cavalry Repulsion •
Front line would force a horse to stop advancing
•
Second line would launch spears at all who came too close to the formation
•
Multiple waves of cavalry would push the first lines into the spears
http://www.roman-empire.net/army/repel-cavalry.html
The Wedge •
Designed to break enemy front lines
•
Legionnaires behind wedge formations would push the formation forward
http://www.roman-empire.net/army/wedge.html
Skirmishing •
Allowed greater mobility of individuals
•
Used primarily by Velites
•
Used to hurl spears at large groups of enemies in front of the main infantry, and to clear out enemy skirmishers
http://www.roman-empire.net/army/skirmishing.html
Marching Formation •
Entire legion marched single file and the line could stretch for miles
•
Flankers on all sides protect the formation from enemy attacks
•
Formation led by cavalry, with cavalry at the end as well
http://romanmilitary.net/strategy/legform/
Works Cited •
Cowan, R. (Jul 24, 2007) Roman Battle Tactics 109 B.C.- A.D. 313, Westminster, MD, Osprey Publishing -Used for descriptions of formations
•
“Formations of the legion”, Victory-The Roman Military-Strategies & Tactics, retrieved 3/26/14, http://romanmilitary.net/strategy/legform/ -Used for descriptions and pictures of weapons
•
Joseph Campanella (Narrator), (1999), The Roman War Machine (Documentary), United States: History Channel -Used for descriptions of formations, and weapons
•
“Tactics”, Illustrated History of The Roman Empire, retrieved 3/26/14, www.roman-empire.net -Used for descriptions of formations