Although not the highest deployment in the imperial army history, it's still fairly high at 380,000 (peaked at around 450,000 early 3rd century)
Notice a large part [near 60%] of the Roman Army were not actually Romans.
Allied Alae and Auxiiiaries were not Roman citizens like Legion members... but Auxilia cohorts were still part of the standing army of Rome under leadership/ command of Centurians, Decurions and other Roman officers, sharing camps with Legions on campaign.
Basically Legions were the better equipped heavy infantry component.
There were generally 3 types of strongholds for the Roman Army: - Legionary Fortress and Auxiliary Fortress - Forward operation bases - Marching camps
-Bulletproof and Waterproof don't mean Idiotproof.
Logistics is the key to any successful military. Can you imagine what a logistical nightmare it must have been in those days? Then again, one should assume that of an army of 300, 000, probably fully two thirds of it was support units, maybe more.
I was planning to add some logistic/supply info. so make sure to check back on this thread.
Augustus put some major reforms in place for the Imperial army... And made it so that the Romans could campaign all year round if need be...Prior to that the Army would normally return to regional Fortresses after campaign season to wait out the winters.
Not only Augustus. Priot to him the "Marian Reforms" made significant changes and improvements to the Roman Army.
-Bulletproof and Waterproof don't mean Idiotproof.
I love when a Caesar built a 1400’ Bridge across the Rhine in ten days........and tore it down soon after. Telling the enemy.......any time I want.......
At the height of the surge in Iraq 07-08 they say to support the roughly 40K combat arms Soldiers their was well over 100K Soldiers their in support MOS’s.
Originally Posted by Bricktop
Then STFU. The rest of your statement is superflous bullshit with no real bearing on this discussion other than to massage your own ego.
I love when a Caesar built a 1400’ Bridge across the Rhine in ten days..
He also built a large tower on the western side of the bridge, something like 4 storey high IIRC. He stationed garrisons on both sides of the river to secure the bridge while his main army roamed the territory on the eastern side of the Rhine.
I think his finest effort was at Alesia where he had built a 10 mile fortification to surround Vercingetorix, then 3 miles out from that, built another 14 mile fortification to surround his own forces... We are talking 13 foot walls with towers, Rampart, ditch and moat among other defensive features... all in 3 weeks while under regular attack.
Ditches were 5 yard wide x5 yard deep. one filled with water from nearby redirected river.. supplemented with various mantraps and deep holes in front of the ditches.
At the height of the surge in Iraq 07-08 they say to support the roughly 40K combat arms Soldiers their was well over 100K Soldiers their in support MOS’s.
Usually it’s 10-11 support for each frontline trooper.
When you watch these consider that the Romans could be on campaign with a number of legions and auxilia... they made a new fortified marching camp every day when on the move, which held the men and thousands of animals.
IF just for one Legion (5000 +/- men ) they would ordinarily send out 600 legionaires to build the camp after a Tribune and Centurians had carefully selected and surveyed a suitable site. They have found camp sites that generally range from 20 to 40 ha. in size.
-Bulletproof and Waterproof don't mean Idiotproof.
Starman, Interesting stuff. thanks. Dont know if you have ever read anything by this guy. Hes good. https://www.amazon.com/Name-Rome-Men-Roman-Empire/dp/0300218524 In the Name of Rome: The Men Who Won the Roman Empire Paperback – February 23, 2016 I've read this one about six times. It covers Gaius Marius very well.
Instead of reading the same book over, you may like to find a host of new reading Here.,. (try different key word searches eg; Roman/ army, empire, Gaul-Germany, Britain, legions, auxilia, Praetorian, etc. )
Such volumes of commodities and goods would generate lucrative opportunities for theft, corruption and graft. I wonder what mechanisms the Romans had in place to keep everybody honest.
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
"Come, shall we go and kill us venison? And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools, Being native burghers of this desert city, Should in their own confines with forked heads Have their round haunches gored."
I am sure Biden had some conferences with some Roman Generals back in the day.
He marched in solidarity with them. Survived the Mt. Vesuvius eruption because he was in jail being processed after his arrest.
The man has more stories than you can shake a stick at. Never challenged by the press.
A man with that history should be mummified when he dies and buried in a pyramid next door to his childhood friends pyramid . He and Tut were the best of friends.
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