10 Surprising Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Roman Legionaries

[Peter1469]

A neat article about the Roman legionaries.



10 Surprising Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Roman Legionaries

Much has been said about the weapons and tactics of the famous Roman legionaries. It is worth noting that they played a decisive role since the days of the Roman Republic until the decline of the Roman Empire in the 4th century AD.

However, beyond the exploits in majestic battles and the countless memorable victories, there was a more human and close to the ordinary citizen side of these men in the ranks of the legions. Without further ado, let’s take a look at 10 surprising things you probably didn’t know about Roman legionaries.


1. People from the villages were preferred as Roman legionaries

2. Roman citizenship was not a requirement, but being born free was mandatory

3. Roman army training was extremely hard

4. Remuneration and length of service often differed

5. Many Roman legionaries became soldiers because of the lure for loot and plunder

6. Brotherhood can be considered one of the main reasons behind the success of the Roman army

7. Medical exemption

8. Cowardice in Roman legionaries was met with severe punishments

9. In addition to ordinary Roman legionaries, there were veterans, doctors, engineers, and slaves in the legions

10. The shield was used almost as much as a weapon as for defense

[Mister D]

Regarding #5, this is one of the major reasons why men risked their lives on the battlefield in the past. The prospect of loot made the risk acceptable.

[RMNIXON]

I just finished watching the First Season of "Barbarians" on Netflix. It is about the struggle of Germanic Tribes under forced Roman Rule.


SPOILER ALERT:


The basic plot involves a young son of a tribal leader who along with his brother it taken hostage by Romans. A practice I do not doubt occurred. He returns as a young man raised as a Roman Soldier with rank and has divided loyalties.....

And of course the main purpose of the Roman occupation was to demand unreasonable plunder from these tribes in return for not killing them outright.

[Mister D]

I just finished watching the First Season of "Barbarians" on Netflix. It is about the struggle of Germanic Tribes under forced Roman Rule.


SPOILER ALERT:


The basic plot involves a young son of a tribal leader who along with his brother it taken hostage by Romans. A practice I do not doubt occurred. He returns as a young man raised as a Roman Soldier with rank and has divided loyalties.....

And of course the main purpose of the Roman occupation was to demand unreasonable plunder from these tribes in return for not killing them outright.

It's loosely based on the real story of Germanic nobleman Arminius but from what I've read, including your comment, they take many liberties.

[Standing Wolf]

I've watched 'Barbarians' as well. In the category of "things you probably didn't know about Roman Legionnaires" I would have to place the fact (?) that they prayed every day to the god of boots to keep their footwear from coming to harm, since it was so important to them in, well, marching and that sort of thing.

Or was that in 'Brittania'? It's been a couple of months since I watched either show, so I may have them conflated.