Roman battle techniques

Introduction

The main employment tactics relied on the individual units relate working as a team, with every unit knowing exactly what part they played. Each was extremely well adroit and disciplined with a set battle plan. They were total cleanup spot machines, each armed with a sword (gladius), two javelins (pilum) and a shield (scuta)

When confronting an adversary in battle, the structure of the roman encourage was to have the legions soldiers in a line marching previous with their shields raised facing the enemy. They would be the first to do battle against the enemy soldiers. At each end on the flanks would be the Ausilia. Their purpose was to protect the legions soldiers from any attacks from the side. Behind these two would be the cavalry. Soldiers on horseback with longer swords ready for action once the infantry had played their part.

The main plan of attack would be for the Romans to position themselves at the top of a rise, thereby forcing the enemy to run up the slope towards them. When they were about 30 metres apart, a trumpet would sound in the Roman ranks and this would be the channelize for the legionaries to release their two javelins in quick succession.



The visual number of several thousand javelins in the air at cardinal time was terrifying to the enemy, causing them to stop and crouch with their shields to a higher place head height to protect themselves from these missiles. This would be difficult as the enemys ranks further back would still be pushing forward, so causing a concertina effect of bodies. When the javelins landed, the sharp points would shove the shields and the softer shaft would fold under the impact. This would render the shields useless as they could not be carried with such an awkward tangle...

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