Did Rome have a good military?
The Roman Army was one of the most successful in the history of the world and its soldiers were rightly feared for their training, discipline and stamina. As a result, the army was a major player in Roman politics and maintaining its loyalty was an essential task for any Emperor.
Who was the most famous Roman soldier?
Considered by many to be the greatest Roman General, Mark Antony started his career as an Officer in Egypt. Between 54-50 BCe, he served under Julius Caesar, becoming one of his most trusted Officers.
Was the Roman Army brutal?
Discipline in the Roman Army was harsh, sometimes brutal, and was a daily fact of life, from basic training to the day of retirement. Legionaries were at the mercy of their centurions, a few of which could be brutal and even corrupt, demanding bribes to excuse legionaries from grinding manual labor details.
Who was Rome’s greatest rival?
Hannibal
Hannibal (or Hannibal Barca) was the leader of the military forces of Carthage that fought against Rome in the Second Punic War. Hannibal, who almost overpowered Rome, was considered Rome’s greatest enemy.
Why was the Roman army so powerful?
This training combined with having the most advanced equipment at the time made the Roman army really powerful. The Roman army had many weapons and tactics that other armies hadn’t even heard of before! They would use huge catapults which were able to fling rocks over distances of several hundred meters.
What did Romans call generals?
A legatus (anglicised as legate) was a high-ranking Roman military officer in the Roman Army, equivalent to a modern high-ranking general officer. Initially used to delegate power, the term became formalised under Augustus as the officer in command of a legion.
Why did Romans decimate?
The discipline was used by senior commanders in the Roman Army to punish units or large groups guilty of capital offences, such as cowardice, mutiny, desertion, and insubordination, and for pacification of rebellious legions. The word decimation is derived from Latin meaning “removal of a tenth”.
How did Roman soldiers get punished?
Flogging in front of the century, cohort or legion. “demanding sureties”, including the re-taking of the military oath known as the sacramentum. For treason or theft, the punishment would most probably be being placed in a sack of snakes and thrown into a nearby river or lake.