Why Were The Roman Legions So Effective?
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- čas přidán 15. 08. 2024
- the Secret of Roman Warfare.
A Roman legion was the largest unit of the Roman army, consisting of centuries as the basic units.
For most of the Roman Imperial period, the legions formed the Roman army's elite heavy infantry, recruited exclusively from Roman citizens, while the remainder of the army consisted of auxiliaries, who provided additional infantry and the vast majority of the Roman army's cavalry.
A legion consisted of several cohorts of heavy infantry known as legionaries. It was almost always accompanied by one or more attached units of auxiliaries, who were not Roman citizens and provided cavalry, ranged troops and skirmishers to complement the legion's heavy infantry.
From the time of Gaius Marius onwards, legionaries received 225 denarii a year; this basic rate remained unchanged until Domitian, who increased it to 300 denarii. The soldiers did not receive all the money in cash, as the state deducted a clothing and food tax from their pay. To this wage, a legionary on active campaign would hope to add the booty of war. Slaves could also be claimed from the prisoners of war and divided amongst the legion for later sale, which would bring in a sizeable supplement to their regular pay.
All legionary soldiers would also receive a praemia on the completion of their term of service: a sizeable sum of money and/or a plot of good farmland; farmland given to veterans often helped in establishing control of the frontier regions and over rebellious provinces.
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There is no underestimating the importance of military logistics. The Romans were master road builders for good reasons.
Romans didn't build all their roads. However, They upgraded alot of pre-existing pathways and roadways. Greeks, Catharginians and Celts, and other Tribes had their version of a road.The Romans just enhanced them. Trade, Migration and movement back and forth will eventually create a pathway over thousands of years. These pathways that were chosen because they were easier and friendlier for movement made more sense to upgrade, then determine the altitude and wasting time and resources, as well as man power to build "Fresh" roadways. However, where there were no Roadways, or paths.. Sure, the Romans built what was required for: Movement. Movement involving trade, Movement involving population migration and conquest. Money, Military and Movement (slaves and settlers, colonists) are the main reason for roads.
Romans paved alot of Roads, even expanded them. Added Roman Mile stones with signs to make them more efficient. But they didn't invent the roadways. Just like the Romans didn't invent the Scutum, or the Gladius or the Pilum or even the Gallic Helmet. They took what worked, from their original failed ideas and adapted it towards success.
Basically their thirst for competition, their drive for winning at any cost lead to them adapting.
Never underestimate ones desire to win. If you're losing and you really want to win, you will adapt and trample your rivals over time. And you will become more ruthless over time because you forced yourself to change. It was either that, or death. To be forgotten forever, and your women, your children to become slaves.
You will never understand the Roman Psyche to the extent I do.
P M It’s always interesting to look at history and see how much a nation simply “wanting it more” can affect the world.
@@PM-fb3vm no need to brag when he made a slight mistake. Take your soapbox somewhere else lmao "you'll never understand Roman psyche to the affect I do" my ass
@@kaedyngraham1860 init that last line 😂 I'm sure the Romans would welcome him with open arms if he went back in a time machine, cuz you know... Nobody understands how their minds work better than him... He watched a lotta movies bro 😂
@@PM-fb3vm You know you've hit a low in life when the best talking point you have is "understanding the roman psyche" to strangers on the internet.
1:20 the most dangerous blade the legendary invisible sword. Great vídeo metatron
@Nic777 debatable although I am to lazy to debate for the Romans. Someone else do it for me please?
@Nic777 I personally would say if the Spartans fought the Romans that the Spartans would be completely destroyed. However, the Macedonians, especially if they were in control of their empire they had at one point, would stand a chance.
@Nic777 Depends on what you mean with better.
The Romans lost in battle with the Greeks, at the Battle of Asculum, in the Pyrrhic Wars. But... that name may stand out to you. The Battle of Asculum was a pyrrhic victory for the Greeks. The Greeks won but suffered casualties they couldn't replenish, ultimately costing them the war.
The Greeks can win battles against the Romans, so in that regard they're better, but the Romans can tank hits and win the war.
@Nic777 Depends on time and place. If a more patriotic Roman legionary faced a spartan, he would possibly win and fill out all the boxes.
@Nic777 The Romans in my mind were more disciplined by far, although courage and fighting skills may be dependent on time period and place.
I love how Rome was able to drop bad ideas so quickly. If something was broken it was removed without any fuss. It speaks to the strength of Rome
Gaius Terentius Varro?
The Romans had not yet been corrupted by the softening influence of tomatoes, disco music and spaghetti..
Catonius disco music? Is there something I have to know about my city?
Catonius also sorry for the bad English as I said before I'm Italian
It stands for post-war popular culture. I do like that Shadilay tune though... Ave Roma!
Your English is better than many native English speakers judging from these two comments :*D
Catonius they sure were lucky to not adventure into the Americas.
I think that one of the key aspects of Roman army being so effective was, that not only it was a professional army, but soldiers were promoted based on their skill and experience rather than their nobility status. In a lot of cultures there was not a professional army and the leadership was inherited rather than earned.
10/10 green screen reflection on sword
Romans evolved to be a very practical people through every defeat and challenge. Whilst the enemies were drinking wine on the other camp, the legionnaires were calculating ditch depth and wood stake angles.
That is comparable to guys with guns. The enemies had arrows "Hey, I bet U can't hit that ditch digger with these 20 arrows...have another drink of "aiming water" >>Ooo you did get him and the 3 other guys around him with 10 arrows & did you rile up a hornets nest or maybe they R checking out the effectiveness of the stakes in the ditch(that they learned from the Greeks) angle of dangle = meat pie."
black people are practical and republicans are practical...
both are things the legionaries were not :D
@@Abensberg what?
Thats such a bad generalization. Like saying the japanese were practicing swordsmanship while koreans were drinking tea and thats why hideyoshi absolutely destroyed you guys during his invasions. Or that the chinese were perfecting their warfare tactics while the koreans were eating raw squids and thats why sima yi REKT you guys during liaodong campaign and goguryeo-wei wars. Come on.
YOU CANNOT PARRY THAT WHICH YOU CANNOT SEE
You bloody well can if you've got a really big shield. :)
Of course.
If you can’t sense it,you can’t kill it=a better military maxim.
@@rileyernst9086 .Wrong.You don’t know what “parry” means.
The last time I was this early, Rome was still badass.
Make Rome Bad4$$ Again!! 2020
#MRBA
Last time I was early, Iowa class wasn't floating scrapyard
Rome was is and will be
Legio X Judea performed one of the miraculous feats that show what supermen the Legionaries were. When faced with besieging a fortress atop a mountain that was unassailable, the Romans dismantled part of another mountain to build a colossal ramp, leading to the mountain fortress of Masada. There's even a movie (mini series) that dramatises these astounding events.
The Romans' best weapon was the Gladius -- Gladius meaning "Invisible Blade of Victory", with powers demonstrated at 1:08.
Oftentimes, enemies would see the Romans and think they were weaponless. The enemies of Rome were never able to see their weapons. All other nations fell to Rome because of the amazing InvisiBlade.
All other nations... but one.
Among the InvisiBlade were many other great weapons -- the Light Rapier of L.S (Light Speed), the One-Thousand Pound European Greatswords (typically at least 40 yards long and 6 inches thick), and one Sword which would be the Downfall of all civilizations to come. This was, surely, The Weapon of all Weapons. The Solar System-Splitting Katana.
The Katana was supposedly the ancient Japanese gods' Gift to humanity. Because of how superior It was in craftsmanship, durability, power, and speed, It was the Perfect Weapon. Most people do not know this, but the Japanese conquered more of the world than the Romans did. How much? The Japanese, using The Swords above all other Swords, The Katana, conquered not only the entire world -- a feat the Romans dreamed of accomplishing -- but the whole universe.
Unfortunately for the Katana wielding Japanese Samurai, there was an elite group of people who would eventually rise up and challenge The Masterful Katana, so great a Weapon that anything referring to It must be capitalized to show utmost respect...
From humble origins, as mere farmers, the Ninja would eventually come to detest the Samurai. Why, you may ask? The Samurai, being in desperate need to test and retest the impossible greatness of their Beautiful Katana, tested their skills by ruthlessly slaughtering any and every harmless civilian. Nobody -- men, women, children -- was safe from the Samurai- whose Swords sought the blood of the innocents. Some say another more important reason the Ninja despised the Samurai was because of the lack of pommel on the end of The Katana. The Ninja did not believe this to be a gift from the Japanese gods; but a curse from the Japanese demons, who used the Samurai to carry out heinous deeds.
The Ninja, being among those the Samurai murdered, formed a squad proficient in many different things, all for one purpose: to end the merciless reign of the Katana-Wielding Samurai. These farmers, as they were at the time, banded together to put an end to what had been a seemingly ceaseless terror. As time progressed, and these farmers became more and more skilled at training, the time had come to face the Samurai. While many are uncertain of how long the head farmer trained -- whether it be 2.5 or 3 years -- almost all of humanity agrees upon the fact that it was he who changed their group name from "farmer" to "Ninja." Ninja, of course, means "Shadow Warrior." The end of the Samurai started as so.
When one Samurai learned that to become truly masterful and skilled wielding These Immortal Blades of -Near- Total Omnipotent Power, that he must challenge these civilians, who wore only rags and fought with sticks they picked up off the ground, other Samurai followed suit.
One day, a prominent Samurai by the name of Jack was challenged publicly by the Head Ninja. After a duel lasting 2 days and 2 nights, the Samurai had fallen to his knees, unable to triumph. Although every peasant-civilian gazed upon the defeated Samurai in wonder and awe, the other Samurai let loose cries for their fallen brother. Samurai Jack, who was once the leader of the Samurai, had resigned from his life.
The Samurai had become close friends with this farmer, however. This farmer, having been thought of as a loyal servant to the Japanese Samurai prior to this killing, was now looked down upon by all Samurai around him. Every Samurai present threw away their grief in hopes of finding a far more useful tool -- rage, which adds a 30% buff to all Physical Attacks and a 5% Defense Boost. As the Samurai reached to end this Ninja (not rightly nor swiftly), he vanished using his Ninja Pixie Dust. He teleported to his secret lair, where he took all of his disciples, to learn how to combat the evil Samurai.
He did not go empty handed, though... The Ninja who emerged triumphant had taken with him more than mere glory. He took with him The Katana of Samurai Jack. This Ninja, knowing the demonic properties possessed by This Katana, shortened The Blade, thus symbolizing the destruction of all demonic spirits. He had created the first ever Ninjato (pronounced Nin-JAH-toe), meaning "Soul Tamer".
The Samurai, left to stand in confusion of how it had come to be that the power of the gods was failing them, plotted the downfall of their former friend, and all other Ninja.
Back at the Ninja Headquarters, there was not one Ninja who celebrated, for their work had just begun. Instead, rigorous was the training the triumphant Ninja employed. There, still, was not one Ninja who was disloyal to this strict, but just, teacher. Not one Ninja would dare disobey the one who had even momentarily freed them. All Ninja were proud and inspired by their teacher, Naruto, who would later go down in history as one of the greatest warriors who ever lived.
This concludes Part I of
_History Evaluated Rightly_
by *Jack Boulet*
SenseiJack Jesus christ this is frustratingly good
Thank you :D I spent a good 45 minutes to an hour writing it.
0/10
Not enough love triangles.
Laughing throughout the hole thing. Bravo! Bravo indeed!
I cried of pure joy
While this video does prove many points on why the Roman military was so effective, it does have some glaring issues.
First off, putting inexperienced and rookie soldiers at the frontlines was purely a maniple thing, and they were called hestati, when the Roman legion moved to using the cohort system that idea was completely done away with, heck often less experienced soldiers were often used as reserves and only really saw the brunt of the fight until they had proven themselves. Secondly, one of the biggest advantages of the cohort system was it’s mobility and self sustainability. For example, Roman soldier would carry all their supplies with them and were trained to leave them behind and march for battle on a moments notice. With these supplies, within hours the soldiers could fortify their position or build roads and bridges to help them better get to their destination. The Romans could build a bridge across a river in several hours, while all their enemies had to follow the river for often days or weeks in order to find a suitable place to ford, which was also not always a safe thing to do even then. This ability to just adapt to everything in their path is what led to the Romans expanding past the Italian peninsula.
The Romans were always adapting, the maniple system was adapted for fighting the mountain people on the campaigns to conquer southern Italy, as the Romans had previously used the Phalanx system to great effect until they marched south, as phalanxes were not good at maneuvering and were prone to being flanked. The maniple was a solution to this as it allowed for more loose formations and more mobility. Later on as the Romans moved past the peninsula and ran into different kingdoms with much more manpower than what they were used to fighting, the maniple system was done away with in favour for the much more organized, and bigger structure of the cohort, and the Romans would use the cohort from late republic times all the way to the fall of the western Roman Empire.
Spell check: its Hastati, not hestati
Dude that intro shot of you in a field with your full Roman BD was awesome. I often wish we could just send a live camera to the past to see every facet of our ancestors exsistance. To see what they saw, to witness people and events we revere, or sometimes overlook and forget. That little clip was like being able to see a lone Roman legionnaire as he walks back home. Also, i always enjoy your videos.
Thumbs up for the Crusader Kings screen in the background. Vale!
I was looking for a comment like yours :D
Yup! Although I think that screenshot is from a modded game because I don't think you can play as the roman empire (ignoring the HRE) in a normal game (I may the wrong?)
as far as i know, you can form it anew with Byzantium, but I may be wrong as well, havent done a Byzantium run so far
+Johncool3456 I've played as Ireland, West Francia, Gwynedd, Glamorgan, York, Wessex, Sweden, Pitchland, and my most recent game is as Lombardy (trying to form an empire because I'm under gavelkind and my kings keep dying due to stupidity and accidental inbreeding - oops, and my lands keep fragmenting and I have to re-conquer them, which isn't that hard but still:P)
My only game as Byzantium involved my country falling into horrible civil war after civil war and eventually having the Sunis come and take advantage of my weakened army and tearing chunks out of my land :O I have never had a successful Byzantium run, but I'm better at the game now then I once was. So perhaps I should try it again after my Lombardy game
good luck then :D
>Is this... Allowed?
>Are Italians allowed to have ridiculous hair
Metatron, it's required.
• • it was a joke. You are being a silly little oblivious 3 year old. Go run off and eat your yoghurt!!!
They are a Hairy people :)
How dare you say the Imperial Period was the best?
The RES PVBLICA ROMANA was the best period in the history of mankind!
I'm just kidding Metatron your videos on Roman History are so interesting and full of knowledge! You're my favorite history teacher by far. Your videos are not just about the wars and how roman society was structured, but you dwelve into the details of their daily life, such as, how their houses were built or how they would carry out their meals, battle tactics and so on!
I hope he does a series on your judicial cases they were fantastic
The more I study the more I despise the imperial period. The Senate was horribly corrupt, but they were wise in their many safeguards against a tyrant. It was demonstrably their corruption that eroded the institutions that prevented a tyrant.
Good sir Metatron, i have a question: the byzantines, one could argue, were also "roman soldiers".they certainly considered themselves as romans. (even though the capital was in constantinoupolis in the eastern empire). they had a fair share of success in the field but they were not the "invincible legions" of the past. in any case they managed to hold the empire (even if it didnt really look like an empire towards the end) for more than a thousand years after moving the capital to the east.what is your take on them? do you consider their army a real continuation of the legions of old? is it a counter-argument for the effectiveness of the roman army??
I clicked on Shadiversity's video and your video at the same time and I heard, "This episode of Shadiversity is brought to you by- *paused the video"* only to hear "This episode of the Metatron's channel is brought to you by".
Heh, I did the same
BUT WHAT ABOUT ROMANS? WE COULD NOT FORGET THE ROMANS!
That's awesome, I love it!
You got competition for selling shirts, Shad. Are ya gonna challenge him to a duel?
On the contrary, I'll probably buy several myself, I am a member of the Nobles One's after all ^_^
Disappearing swords
Meta! I too am a huuuuuge Roman fanboy as well, Roma invicta! I am curious about the history behind Hispania and Rome, as it seems they've been hand in hand for a long time. Great video as always! You never disappoint!
i know this is a very old video that i probably watched already, but google is finally suggesting your videos again.
so before i even rewatch(yes i do intend to rewatch, he deserves it).
i would venture guess there's a plethora of reasons the romans were so effective in battle.
they had very good equipment.
they had very good tactics.
their soldiers were extremely disciplined.
their soldiers were extremely well-trained.
they had systems for everything, from construction, to organizing their camps, to establishing their supply lines, and everything else.
nothing was just left to chance. their military leaders rose through the ranks due to merit.
and probably other reasons i cant even think of at 2 in the morning.....
>Entire video is not about SANDALS
0/10 not historical
Love your delivery an so tent on your pltfodm. Thank you for the truth.
Metatron, I absolutely LOVE your videos covering Roman anything. Your passion and knowledge come through so well. I have always had a lazy interest in Roman armies, society, economics, history, etc: I know less than I should but I cannot thank you enough for what you do.
Wow ! I really enjoyed that video ☺️ ! It was very informative and interesting ! Good job was done ! Thanks 👍🏻
Great video as always!
What about having the logistics and resources of an empire behind you? My understanding is that most societies of the time could only loose once or twice in a major way before being unable to fight due to lack of troops and/or strategic positions. The Empire/late Republic, though, could absorb such losses like it's nothing. Also, the little I know about the Gaul campaigns tells me that Romans were very good at using local rivalries and interests to their advantage.
One thing I think that had an effect on Roman effectiveness in battle was the superior Medical care they received compared to their enemies even most of the Roman citizenry, meaning one wound or sickness that might end one person's military career wouldn't be as problematic for a Roman Soldier.
ROMA INVICTA!!!!!!!!!!!!
AVE ROMA REMOVE BARBARIAN
Angrypolack
Talk about late to the party tho
DEUS LØ VOLT!!!!!!!!!
Leadership. Discipline. Fitness. Training. Esprit-de-corps. Armour and weapons. Tactics.
Learning from mistakes.
All made big contributions to the effectiveness of the legions.
im playing smite these days (along with other stuff) and there's roman gods and stuff in it, if you're tight on ideas for videos you can make one about roman gods / things they worshiped / heroes and more known warriors, it'd be interesting .. probably
i dont really have any special likeness to romans tho but u were like roma invicta this roma invicta that so it reminded me of bellona screaming roma invicta
1:20 takes the definition of half swording to a new level.
Que?
me and my cousin were recently watching Spartacus and we were making some comments on when he got to training to be a gladiator we mainly talked about how weird it was that he was constantly being beaten and was not doing a great job at fighting
but after watching this it really made me think on how different soldiers and gladiators and it makes more sense now
Loving those Europa universalist screen shots in the background now Thayer are some total war screen shots! Wow!
i love that flag on the back. nice pick there man!!
First, I like the EUIV background but I think you'll like Imperator: Rome more, in about a month.
But I think you've failed to hit the main reasons for Roman success.
Here is the reason why Rome succeeded while others failed:
1. Uniformity of equipment. The Iberius Gladius was the same. That means when your sword broke, and you needed a replacement, you just picked up the weapon held by a fallen comrade, or from the equipment boy who would bring it to you. Your shield broke, you picked up a fresh one from another fallen Roman, or from the back line. Because EVERY Gladius, Shield, Pila, etc... were all the same. A medieval knight had a sword and his comrade had a different weapon with different weight, length, balance. I can't pick up your knightly sword and be just as effective because your knightly sword is different than mine. A Roman Legionnaire in Britania could pick up the Gladius of a Roman Legionnaire a 1,000 miles away in Scythia and be just as effective. This is the epitome of brilliance, that wasn't rediscovered until the mid 20th century. This is also why every US Marine is equipped with an M-16 and why their ammunition has a specific size, but is uniform is weight, size and effectiveness. The padding in the helmet might change but the helmets are all the same size.
2. NCOs and Citizenship. Because everyone in a Roman Legion was a citizen originally, the attitude of everyone being a mouthy shit was tolerated, since everyone was 'an equal' Citizen. If a centurion saw that a gap existed between an enemy line. Or an undefended flank was open, he felt confident in his own standing as a Citizen, to take his Century and exploit that advantage. A top heavy nation, with Nobles commanding and peasants obeying, yeah, not so much. You stood where you were told to stand, you fought where you were told to fight, you died if your Commanding Officer was shit. A Roman on the other hand wasn't going to die if his CO was shit. He'd just disobey a stupid order and win the battle. Incompetent COs thus were rarely in charge for more than a short period of time, or they wound up having an accident. A Roman General was NOT a King, their position wasn't guaranteed. Competence was required. Your daddy could get you an officer rank but how high you climbed depended on personal skill. And no matter how many boots you licked, if you were a poor officer, you were not being promoted. Nobody was willing to die for a rich boy's nonsense.
Sorry, this is completely unrelated to the video. I started taking a course in linguistic anthropology today, and wanted to say thank you for introducing me to the topic of linguistics! This channel really got me back into ancient history, and the study of foreign and ancient cultures.
Also, bonus points for your magic gladius ;)
Thank you for this interresting video. Your Roman videos are really informative and I like your style. If you have time, as you mentioned building of roads and bridges, I`d like to know: Were the legions responsible for the infrastructure in the province in general or did they just build whatever roads and bridges they needed for military purposes?
“Yes officer, there’s a man wrapped in tinfoil with a spear walking around in my wheat fields.”
Great video presentation on the Roman Legion. Metatron keep on creating excellent mini documentaries and live long and prosper.
Thanks I will!
@@metatronyt 🧐🤔👊👍🙏
This is the sort of video that makes me love Metatron!
Can you please cover later roman armor, such as when the goths and vandals invaded. There was a definite change in armor, but I have often wondered why they changed it.
Romans: "WE HAVE THE BEST STANDING ARMY IN THE WORLD!"
Hannibal: "Hold my beer."
Great show as always.
No television show depicts Roman Army as good as CZcams
Roman legions compared to their enemies were like if an experienced player comes to a server full of noobs.
Roman invasions were like a whole team of experienced players smurfing and fighting a server full of noobs.
How come I see you in every single channel I follow? Are you some kind of uncontrollable alter ego?
More like, it's when an entire clan jumps into the server all at once and pubstomps a bunch of casuals.
When you got enchanted Legendary Daedric armor & weapons with every skill at 100. Then you go toe to toe with a naked argonian junkie with a spoon.
What about sassanid safaran and hunnish horse archer??
Or eastern roman cataphracht?
The age of infantry is coming to end, and that happen during 4th century...
Good bye ol infantry tactic...
Good job on the new layout CZcams, this video is showing the title of the last one I watched.
Just wanted to make a point about cohesion and formation.
First of all, I believe it was very common throughout history for any large unit of warriors to fight in formation. The main distinguisher between Roman legionaries and, say, Gaulish warriors was how well they knew each other inside a unit. Well, it may be true that some Gaulish warriors had fought together before and were used to it (most likely nobles, but they're not so numerous), but most fighters, I think, would see each other for the first time when they were assembled in a unit. So they didn't have that strong bond with other soldiers of their unit (let alone army), they didn't know how their comrades would perform in a battle (and therefore were not aware of how to help each other, which weaknesses to cover), while the Roman legionaries quite certainly did, since they trained and lived their lives together and everything.
Not sure what the point of it was, but...
GLADIVS INVISIBLIVS
What a passionate explanation! I enjoy a lot all the videos of this man and I wonder if he or anyone else could recommend me a very good on-line course of Latin. Thanks in advance!
Invisible swords are the key! that is dangerous as fuck! XD
Super fit, well drilled, disciplined.and great tactical awareness.
Love your videos keep it up!.
excellent video--can't get enough of Rome. Though I think you're overestimating how fluidly formation fighting was in the late medieval period because we don't see European armies come close to the kind of cohesion that Rome demonstrated until the age of Wallenstein and Gustav Adolphus. You started to see the beginnings of it in the 15th and 16th century, in the hundred years war, wars of the roses, wars of the Italian city states, and in the unification of Spain--but even in this period, the ability of an army to adapt to changing battlefield conditions didn't reach the same level until late in the 30 years war. The big social change that allowed the rise of professional soldiers in Europe again was new monarchy: Tudor England, Bourbon France, The Hapsburg dynasty (though that was never as solid as the other two) etc. I would mention the Mongols as one big notable exception to all of this, but I was confining my comments to Europe.
Would love to see a series of decline and fall videos; military, cultural, economic sort of thing. Great work.
The whole gladiator vs soldier argument is 100% true. Two different fighting styles. One requiring discipline and immense courage to not buckle whereas the gladiators are courageous but rely on agility and cunning more than teamwork and discipline
Everybody gangsta until metatron charges at you with full roman gear
I think you can use Spartacus as an exception to this rule, however. His entire group consisted of gladiators and untested slaves, yet he managed to SLAUGHTER tens of thousands of professional Roman legions, taking full advantage of the terrain, of course.
I think one thing that was not brought up or that was a bit over looked was logistics. Roman legions were successful because they were able to get resources to their men when they needed them to keep fighting when their enemies did not have the same resources behind them. Overall, excellent video that I think covered the complex subject of why the legions were so successful!
Hey everybody I'm a freshman and I just started taking Latin this year. It's literally the only foreign language I have ever liked. I legit don't want to drink bleach while learning another language. I love it
Ave Roma! Another excellent video. Good job Metatron, can't wait to see the documentary.
I guess this is a complicated topic and hard to cover in a short video. Great job. I would summarize it by 1) Technological Superiority (weapons and armor) 2) Superior Tactics and organization 3) Superior logistics support (Roman roads) 4) Rapid construction of defensive fortifications. I would surmise Roman legions could have easily taken out many medieval armies that came 1000 years after it.
Just recently finished the 6 hour (!) podcast by Dan Carlin on his Hardcore History entitled "The Celtic Holocaust." He indicates that one great factor of the Legions was that they were 50% soldier and 50% construction laborer. The fact that they could erect bases and defenses (and pitfalls, spikes, etc.) better and faster on a daily basis than anyone else proved key to Caesar's victories in Gaul. It reminded me of Hideyoshi's "overnight castle" going up against the Hojo clan.
Caesar vs. Hideyoshi: who would win?
Metatron, I checked out your merchandise looks awesome! Hoping to get some and use one of the roman shirts for a tunic of under garb for my centurion armour XD
This is a bit off topic. But have you ever considered checking out Mount and Blade II Bannerlord when it's finally released and mabye even do a play through? It takes place in a dark ages inspired setting with an empire falling apart being invade by foreign powers which I think would give very interesting gameplay. Just a suggestion :)
He knows, he has played Warband
The_JoJo_Reference I know I've seen the video of him playing it. Just wondering if he would make few more videos when bannerlord comes out
Old video I know.
Just need to express my appreciation for you drawing a distinction between knowing how to fight or having some kind of abstract 'skill' at 'martial arts' and fighting in the field as a unit. This is something fundamentally misunderstood by almost all modern commentators and certainly people in entertainment when discussing/depicting ancient/pre-modern warfare.
Great video as always metatron
I can't look at you without thinking of your beautiful beard
wood1155 how dare you!
because he is a true Roman at heart
www.les-philosophes.fr/images/stories/statue-marc-aurele.jpg
great video
Can't wait to see your vid on the late roman empire.
Don’t make me use this mate - metatron 2017
Dont forget that many joined the roman empire without fight. They where very tolerable when it came to religion and accepted many gods (although sometimes changing their names) from other cultures. I believe this also had a great effect at how they were perceived by outsiders.
10:43 Maximus Decimus Meridius entered the chat.
Dont forget that those gladiators who weren't trained to fight in formations almost collapsed Rome because of their superior training and tenacity under spartacus.
@Metatron
I have studied the Roman army for nearly 50 years and can only agree with your conclusions. The versatility and adaptability of the Roman legions, combined with discipline, constant training and strict regulations formed a professional fighting force never again seen in human history until modern times. I think the Roman military system rose to its zenith between the reigns of Domitian to Marcus Aurelius, and although the legions of Julius Caesar and Augustus were equally formidable, in my opinion it was the combination of the legions and the auxiliaries of the late 1st to late 2nd centuries AD that made the Roman army practically invincible. 😋
Metatron can you talk about less wealthy samurai and other Japanese warriors plz. Nice vid btw
Failures are lessons and the Romans sure learned.
I saw the words "Roman Legion" and clicked instantly, seriously, I love learning about them. Through you I've learnt a lot, including pronunciations! I dunno, I love the Romans and Latin...Classical mostly, cuz Roma (but what's wrong with that?)
Edit: Bloody autocorrect
Here's some interesting Roman battles. ;)
Trebia (218 BC/BCE)
Lake Trasimene (217 BC/BCE)
Cannae (216 BC/BCE)
Carrhae (53 BC/BCE)
Teutoburg Forest (9 AD/CE)
Adrianople (378 AD/CE)
they ate lots of pasta
That's why they were the best...
Because Rome is badass! Rome Eternal! Greetings from a Greek American.
Did Romans Have Whistles During Battles?
I believe they've been found in association with Roman military sites in Northern England (Vindolanda if memory serves) but I think it remains a maybe. Too many maybes in the study of the ancient world, incredibly annoying, especially considering what a bunch of gas bags the modern scholars are..
There are Roman whistles for sale on-line : both original (expensive and certified) and copies. But indeed +Catonius is right: remains an uncertainty whether or not Romans used whistles in battles.
Yes, but mostly they just used their telepathic powers to converse psychicly with one another.
I think they tried it during a reenactment battle and found the cornu was the only sound audible over the din. Whistles didn't work.
@@Catonius i thought scotland was called caledonia
Even though they're from different times, I've always wondered what would have happened if Rome had clashed with the Mongol Empire, that is assuming Rome prospered, never fell and made advancements according to the era.
Actually the Roman State flourished and survived ( mainly Les by Roman Greeks ) until the Mongol era.
The eastern Roman ( byzantine) armies were extremely effective and much more effective than most other armies in the medieval times.
The guys at the front, hastati, tired out the enemy and then switched places with the experienced principes who moved in for the kill. Many other armies just put their best men at the front so when those men were defeated the rest routed. Of course every battle is different though but it's a good strategy
I was missing one word: LOGISTICS.
Many battles in the middle ages were between a few 100 men, whereas in ancient Greece and Rome, they moved entire armies and laid siege against cities with 1000s of inhabitants. I wonder why they had these capabilities. If you compare it to a big part of the middle ages:
a) they couldn't afford training vast numbers of professional soldiers
b) their military campaigns depended on the free time of the peasants (because they'd all starve if no-one plants seeds or harvests)
c) the armies relied on looting food and they often ran out of food or money for the few mercenaries/professional soldiers, which caused them to go rogue or cause sieges to fail
d) most wars had to be over before winter, since collecting enough non-perishable food for winter was near impossible.
e) bringing your loyal knights into battle meant that they couldn't maintain order in the homeland, like fighting off brigands, peasant revolts and neighbouring princedoms from taking over your castles...
f) (more about organisation and related to e) your armies loyalty was mainly to their landlord or the one paying them currently, whereas Roman legions loyalty was mostly beyond doubt
missed these kind of videos
Love the ck2 background xD. Do you play the game? If not you should, it's really fun :)
Lusitania! Could you make a video about the history of the iberian peninsula? That would be awesome! Thanks.
your roman videos have only became more interesting as I started studying classics at A levels
Logistics, I think this point was under-focused. In fact, the Romans had a saying "amateurs study strategy, professionals study logistics".
At 8:45 you reminds me of what Leonidas of Sparta said when the Arcadians mention how small their army is compared to them, so Leonidas compared the Spartans and Arcadians "real profession".
Could you do a video about how legionares maintained their equipment? If you've already talked about it I apologize, I haven't seen the video
This is a little unrelated to this video's topic, but it is about gladiators. There's a specific helmet style that some gladiator classes have that have a resemblance to a WAY later period burgonet helmet.
Why did it take so long to go back to that look and how effective of a style was it? I'm mostly talking about the fin that a burgonet has, and then the duck bill over the eyes. I think the helmet i'm focusing on for gladiators is the Secutor helmet, I do not know if that is how it is spelled.
Excellent!
I really enjoy your passion and the organization of your suBject matter. Always a pleasuRe to listen to! What is your first language and wHere are you located?
Glad to see you are a CK2 player! Deus Vult!!!!
The Romans were practitioners of warfare. One fictional example of contrary (keyword being "fictional") was Gaius Marcellus Nerva. In the game, Ark:Survival Evolved; Nerva was a Roman Centurion who ended up on an island full of dinosaurs and tried to build a new Roman Empire under the conquest of the many tribes on the island. His hubris ended up being his downfall and a lack of strategic preparation got him an his empire killed before it had the chance to rise
BTW did I mention that this game has dinosaurs?
La bellezza del gladio che riflette il green screen e sparisce... 😀
Lol, your reaction to Cannae is almost exactly like the Gauls' reaction to Alesia in Asterix and the Chieftain's shield.
I might be mistaken, but this Metatron fella sounds like he likes ancient Romans.
Of course he likes them
Raph, could you make a video about why the Empire started using and later discontinued the use of lorica laminata? I couldn't find a convincing explanation anywhere. Keep up the good work. Saluti!
Hey Metatron I love your videos, can you make one on medieval battle formations?