Welcome to a new Swords and More article! Today we will tell you about the glorious Rome and its weaponry. Roma Aeterna!
Roman military world and weapons
When we think of Roman military capability, one of the most important empires in history comes to mind. Some of the relevant elements of Roman tactics are:
Discipline and structure: The Roman army was noted for its discipline and organization, as well as for its advances in weapons and tactics. Citizens between seventeen and sixty years of age were subject to military service. Those with minimum incomes of four hundred drachmas joined the infantry or heavy cavalry.
Check out this amazing Roman Gladius!
Composition of the army: An army was usually made up of four legions, although this number could vary. Each legion, in the 1st century BC, was made up of 5,120 men and was divided into 10 cohorts.
Combat tactics: The Roman army was organized in tight formations, with a wide but shallow front line. These formations included 500 infantrymen in front, 1,200 light infantrymen on the sides, and 300 cavalrymen for support.
This Gladius is of great quality!
Now, if we go to weapons, the main Roman weapons are the following:
The pilum was a long, heavy spear of about 2.5 metres that Roman soldiers threw like a dart towards the enemy. When several units threw their pilums at the same time, they created a shower of devastating projectiles. In addition, the pilum was also used in hand-to-hand combat, being a short spear very effective at piercing armour.
The gladius hispaniensis , known as the Roman short sword, was instrumental in the expansion of the Roman Empire. With its suitable length, it allowed legionaries to attack with penetrating and devastating blows in confined spaces.
Check out this spectacular Roman Centurion Gladius!
The plumbata, also called the "spikes of Mars", was a new weapon adopted by the Roman armies around 300 AD. It consisted of an iron-tipped, lead-weighted dart mounted on a feathered wooden rod.
The pugio, a dagger used by Roman soldiers, was an auxiliary weapon whose exact purpose is still uncertain, but it is believed to have had a meaning beyond combat, indicating the soldier's status.
Look at this Roman dagger from Marto!
Furthermore, the scorpion was a rotating siege engine used by the Roman army as a field artillery piece.
And what do you think of Roman swords and the history of the glorious empire? (With permission from the great Spanish empire) Tell us!
