The basis of Roman power lay in it's army, as Rome took control of Italy and then all of the states around the Mediterranean it developed on the strongest fighting unit of it's time.
Early Soldiers
The earliest of Roman soldiers provided their own arms and equipment. They were divided into classes based on wealth: the wealthier people could fight on horseback while poorer people might just have a spear. Each class of soldier was organised into groups of about 100 called centuries. Political power also bought military power.
Second Century BC
By the second century the Romans formed a new fighting unit called the maniple, which were made by joining two centuries, which now consisted of sixty men. Maniple's worked as individual units so when the army was advancing over rough land, each maniple preserved it's shape although the advancing line might be bent
Arrangement
The Maniples were arranged in three rows with the first two made up of the fittest fighting men.
Velites
Each Maniple had a group of lightly armed skirmishers called Velites, they would roam and give support or carry out mopping-up operations.
Early Soldiers
The earliest of Roman soldiers provided their own arms and equipment. They were divided into classes based on wealth: the wealthier people could fight on horseback while poorer people might just have a spear. Each class of soldier was organised into groups of about 100 called centuries. Political power also bought military power.
Second Century BC
By the second century the Romans formed a new fighting unit called the maniple, which were made by joining two centuries, which now consisted of sixty men. Maniple's worked as individual units so when the army was advancing over rough land, each maniple preserved it's shape although the advancing line might be bent
Arrangement
The Maniples were arranged in three rows with the first two made up of the fittest fighting men.
- The Hastati were the younger soldiers and their Maniples formed the front line.
- The more experienced Principes formed the line behind them. They wore full armor and carried a sword and two javelins.
- The last line was the veteran Triarii, who carried a long spear instead of a javelin.
Velites
Each Maniple had a group of lightly armed skirmishers called Velites, they would roam and give support or carry out mopping-up operations.