Legion (Ancient Rome)

Famous Roman legions

Date: 11.12.2012

Groupings, fought for power in Rome, formed a large number of Legions went into battle, having practically the same armies. The recognized Roman legions amounted to most of both armies in Philippines. Although they were completed in various parts of the Roman Empire (in the troop troopers served mainly from the western part of the empire, while the Republican Army was gained primarily in the eastern provinces), the high degree of standardization of the Roman army meant that their strength was most likely about equal. In the days of the late republic, each Legion was formed, he studied and supplied in accordance with the standard, tested to the smallest and tested for many decades of permanent wars and conflicts. Each legionnaire was armed with a sword (gladius), a spear (peeling) and a dagger (Pugio). Its protective armament was shield (scounding), helmet and armor. Combat preparation mainly consisted in working out on the chutes of blows to the head, from the flanks and the feet of the alleged opponent. After the initial training was completed, permanent training became the daily feature of the legionnaire life during the actual service.

As follows after training with weapons, the most important aspect of the preparation of the newcomer was training for its construction camps. The ability to quickly build a fortified camp on a hostile territory was one of the most important components of the tactics of Roman legions. The commander very carefully chose a place for the camp, given the ability to use the nature of the terrain, as well as convenient access to wood, forage and water. Weak place Anthony as a commander was his disregard for such details. Success accompanied him during the Philip-Pius campaign, and the fact that he ignored the basic principle of choosing a place for the camp (troops should be placed on a convenient area) did not have serious consequences. Although Anthony posted his headquarters right next to the marsh, the autumn weather sharply reduced the threat of malaria.

The legion consisted of 60 centuries of 80 legionnaires in each. Six centuries were cohort; In total, the Legion was 10 cohort by force of 480 people, this meant that under the optimal conditions, the Legion had 4800 soldiers. But, no matter how neither Bunio, in reality, its number rarely reached a similar value. The justice of the Roman army was junior officers - centurions. Such was 59 on the Legion: five in the first cohort and six in the 2-10th cohorts. In the battle, each centurium was headed by Centurion, who was at its extreme right flank, Tessa-Rari (sergeant) was located at the opposite end of building centuria, And the option (deputy commander) in the back row. Also, Centurium included a sygrofer (he carried the emblem) and Klor-Nicer (Gorny). The first visually indicated the point of collecting the century, while the latter gave signals to perform the main tactical commands.

The Legion had about 300 equestrian warriors, divided by ten squadrons of 30 people in each. In the time of Caesar, the main need for Connection Rome satisfied due to the use of auxiliary foreign troops,
Based primarily from Spaniards, Africans, Celts and Germans. The same approach was used for light infantry and subdivisions of Prasznikov. Another innovation of the late republic was the creation of various warlords, who fought among themselves for the power, permanent elite cohort like Pretorians (from Pretori-Mind - the headquarters of the commander), which later turned into the Pretorian Guard of Roman emperors.
The fractional structure of the Legion attached to it greater flexibility when deployed. As a rule, each legion lined up in three lines. The first, the nearest to the enemy, the line consisted of four cohorts, its centuries were built up at 10 shang to 8 people in depth. The second and third lines consisted of three cohorts, their centuries were built back into the squares of 12 Shang in depth of 6, the army was much easier to move and maintain order in small coordinated mobile formations than in a huge cumbersome solid line.

The rapid feature of the Roman tactics of warfare was the balance, found between the individualized anarchy of the Horde of the Varvarov and the unshakable inflexible system of Greek phalanx. Compact protective construction when legionnaires were closed by shields from all sides - "Turtle" (Testudo) could be carried out in an emergency within a few minutes, but in the conditions of the legionnaire, it was much more important to keep his small front site (defined in Roman infantry instructions Approximately 3 m2). The main task of the commander was to provide a legionnaire of this space. While each legionnaire has placed them and could move freely in it, he made decisions on the basis of the interests of his entire part. If the space was more, he began to be distracted to control the larger territory, and think primarily about his own interests, ultimately breaking the system and trying to run. Panic, which arose among the legionnaires, felt that they were too close to each other, led to a catastrophe under Cannes in 216 BC. And during the battle in the Valley of the Bagradas River in 49 BC.

In the course of most of the battles in which the Roman army participated, the lines only from time to time came into contact, when one or another side, or both immediately, rushed forward to spend a short hand-to-hand fight. Small Roman divisions were ideal for similar local clashes, which, as a rule, headed junior officers and veterans. This VDD dynamic hostilities could continue for some time until one of the parties in the end did not lose the ability to resist, after which the enemy was able to continue the offensive. The resistance of the Legion of the Legion increased due to the system, in which the troops unoccupied in battle occupied the place allotted. Support troops and reserves were placed where they could quickly move forward to assist those who fought at the front parts, but at the same time were out of the radius of the action of the prassenik. The role of team and control instances was becoming insignificant as soon as the army condensed on the battlefield. The noise was most likely deafening. Stepping, legionnaires beat their saws into the shields, shouting loudly appeals and motto. In the midst of the battle of the officers to pay the order, they were forced to scream or loudly, or feed the signals with their soldiers gestures.

Battles were rarely held during indoletory weather, but also dry weather created their difficulties. The army often raised huge dust clubs. With Philipses, this led to the fact that the first battle was completed earlier than expected when the commanders were not able to sort out the situation on both parties. Picking and politics. In the course recent years The existence of the Roman Republic was recruited approximately 216,000-270 of the Italians and 48,000-60,000 provinces. In the army, thus served more than one of every 12 adult citizens of the Rome Republic. With the beginning of hostilities, the formation of new legions from the veterans dismissed from the service began. To recruit the eurokates -Eregioners, who served the standard period, but decided to reconnect into the army - it was easier because they usually lived in their cohesive and closed communities.

Another consequence of the ever-growing need for human resources of the late republic was the rejection of the formation of legions exclusively from Italians and attracting ingensers (re-rover). We know that in the 40s BC. There were many foreign legions formed in Spain, Macedonia and the East.
But the most significant feature of the legions of the epoch was their unprecedented political activity. During a short transitional period from the republican to the imperial forms of the Board, veterans constantly demanded that their rights were taken into account were carried out. additional payments and provided benefits. Often they managed to impose similar conditions to their warlords. These manifestations of democracy in the army arose during civil War. Their apogee was the actions of the legions that demanded the negotiations between Anthony and Okgavian at the Brundisia in 40 BC. The ability to get prey and land put on retirement was the most important stimulus for receipt to the service.

Legion (lat. Legio, bodies. Legionis), (Lat. Legio, born. Legio's case, from LEGO - I collect, gaining) - the main organizational unit in the army of ancient Rome. The number of Legion at different times was about 3-8 thousand people. Originally, the Legion was called the entire Roman army, which was a meeting of Rome armed citizens. This is the Roman "militia" (such as the initial meaning of this word) was collected only during the war and for military training. The Legion was going on a chicient principle, each genus (Kuria) exhibited 100 warriors (centuries) and 10 riders, so the total number of legion was 3,300. According to reforms, serving Tully, the legions began to form on property census, the entire population was divided into 5 classes: the 1st class (property values \u200b\u200bof at least 100 thousand Assov) exhibited 98 centuries, 2nd (valuable 75 thousand Assov) - 22 centuries, 3rd (Cents 50 thousand Assov) - 20 centuries, 4th (valuable 25 thousand Assov) - 22 centuries, 5th grade (2 thousand Assov) - 30 centuries, proletarians exhibited 1 centuria. When serving, age division was also introduced (senior warriors were in reserves and garrisons).

In 5-4 centuries. BC e., in connection with the incessant wars, the number of legions increased to 2-4 or more. From the beginning of the 4th century BC e. The soldiers were established a salary. The legion of the early republic period has 3,000 people with heavy infantry (1200 principles, 1,200 gastats, 600 triaries), 1,200 people of light infantry (Velida) and 300 cavalry people (combined in 10 tour). Different categories were completed with various property challenges of Roman citizens and had different weapons. The combat order of the Legion consisted of 3 lines of 10 manipulation in each. The first row was gastats (1,200 people, 10 manipulations, 20 centuries of 60 people), the youngest warriors armed with a sword, 2 darts, shield, protected by a helmet, pioneering and forged armor with a bronze or iron bib. The second row was the principles (1,200 people, 10 manipulations, 20 centuries of 60 people), fairly experienced warriors, armed similarly to the Gastatam, the third row was the Triari (600 people, 10 manipulations, 20 centuries of 30 people), the most experienced warriors armed with spear Instead of sword. There was cavalry on the flanks, the magnifications were located and acted depending on the situation. In addition, on the flanks to the legion could be adjusted by the union troops or auxiliary parts (auxillia). Cavalry was 10 rounds (30 riders), each of which consisted of 3 decurches. Sometimes, the number of infantry was increased to 5000-6000 people by increasing the number of individual centuries. In the period of the Republic, the Legion commanded military tribunes, centuries - centurions, manipulas - centurion of the first centurium, tourism - Decurion of the first decreement, the Allied troops - prefects.

At the end of the 2nd century. BC e. According to the reform of Guy Maria, the difference in armament of heavy infantry and recruitment was abolished different categories warriors; The main organizational component of the Legion instead of the manipulat was a cohort, consisting of 3 manipulations. In connection with the ruin of the free peasantry, military service was canceled, the soldiers had increased the salary and the Roman army became a professional hired army. The Legion was among 3 to 6 thousand legionnaires, in addition, each legion was attached to the auxiliary troops of almost the same number (various specialists - servants, slaves, officials, priests, scouts, doctors, bannamers, secretaries, staff of throwing guns and siege towers, various Serviceing units and units from non-citizens are lightweight cavalry, light infantry, workers of weapons workshops).

In the Epoch of the Late republic and empire, Legions played a serious political role. The love of legionnaires could provide the future to the Emperor to capture and keep power in Rome or, on the contrary, to deprive him of all sorts of hope. Under the Emperor August, the number of legions reached 75, by the end of its board is reduced to 25, while the number of legions was increased to 7 thousand people (6100 infantrymen and 726 riders). The legions were assigned rooms and various names (often by the name of the terrain - German, Itali), each legion had a "banner" - a silver eagle on the pole. According to written sources, over 80 different legions that existed at different times are identified. When dividing the Roman Empire (the end of 4th century n. Er) in the Eastern Empire was 70, and in Western - 63 legions. The legion in the era of the Empire began to head Legatus (Legatus), usually it was the Senator of about thirty years, which occupied this position for three years. Legat was appointed directly by the emperor. He was directly subordinate to the six military stands - the tribune Laticlavius \u200b\u200b(Tribunus Laticlavius, the second most important position in the Imperial Legion), usually appointed directly by the emperor or the Senate, and five Tribunes of Angusticlavivii (Tribuni Angusticlavii). In addition, the Praefectus Castrorum (Primus Pilus), Centurion of the first centurium, the most experienced legion warrior, had great importance in the Legion.

With the domician and subsequent emperors, legions are constantly deployed in their camp, many camps subsequently turned into cities. From 3 c. n. e. The fighting qualities of the legions gradually fall due to the warrigation of the army, in addition, the cavalry acting separately from the Legion begins to play the increasing role. The name "Legion" was used in 16-19 centuries. For various military formations In France, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Poland, Spain. The most famous is French

Roman legionnaires (reconstruction)

Legionnaires in the ranks (reconstruction)

Later under the title created formations in armed Forces many states (see section Legions in a new story).

Legion in Rome consisted of 2 to 10 thousand (in later periods of 4,320) infantry and several hundred riders. Each legion had its own number and name. According to the preserved written sources, approximately 50 different legions have been identified, although it is believed that their number in each historical period did not exceed twenty-eight, but if necessary, it could be increased.

At the head of the Legion, a military tribune stood during the republic, during the Empire - Lega.

Legion Roman kings[ | ]

Initially legion. It was called the entire Roman army, which represents the militia of about 3 thousand people of infantry and 300 riders from the corporate citizens who were collected only during the war or for military training.

Thus, the military power of Kuria and the community as a whole was addicted to the natural reproduction of the male population. In the early royal period, when the Roman community has not yet reached its demographic limits and was opened to take new clans from the neighboring conquered tribes, these negative sides still hidden. But in the VII century. BC er, as it appears from the data of the written tradition, the formation of new Kuriy and the relatively easy adoption of new births in the already existing ones are no, and soon the role of the smoke principle of the formation of troops is particularly pronounced in the collision of the Romans at the end of VII and in the VI century. BC e. With such a strong people like Etruscans.

In the VIII century BC e. The warriors fought hiking, and their weapons were spears, darts, swords, daggers and axes. Only the richests could afford the armor, limited most often with a helmet and a small plate, which covered only the chest.

In the VII-VI century BC e. The Roman army, presumably, was a typical Etruscan army (since the Romans were under the authority of the Etruscans and the army included representatives of the Romans, Etruscans (formated phalange) and Latinians (fought, in a habit, in free rank). Etruscan-Roman army consisted of 40 Centuries of Goplites (I COMPANY), which were armed with Greek sample, 10 centuries of speakers with middle weapons (II digit), armed in the Italian sample with a spear and a sword, as well as having a helmet, ledge and Italian shield (scounding): 10 centuries of passenger-mounted Kopeistkov (III category), who had a spear, sword, helmet and scunt; 10 centuries of pokers (IV discharge), who retain a spear, dart and scoop, and, finally, 15 centuries of praspanov (v discharge). The size of centuries depended on What size the army was required. According to the same scheme, an army of veterans was built, which accounted for an internal garrison.

Reform Servicing Tully (VI century BC. E.)[ | ]

Organization: Property values \u200b\u200band age division (olders were in reserves and garrisons, allocated, so-called "juniors" (from 18 to 46 years old) and "Seniors" (over 46 years old)), universal military duty for citizens, the highest command - two Military tribune.

Tactics: The main building of the Falanga with the Connection on the flanks and light infantry is out

Centuries of various discharges were undoubtedly different.

Legion of the early republic period[ | ]

Legionnaire in campaign. Reconstruction. Legionnaire in full service; The helmet is hanging on a special hook attached to the shell. On a stick (Furca), the legionnaire carries a luggage consisting of a chest, a grid for a provisional, a pot with a spoon and fur for water. In the case of anxiety, I can throw it instantly throw

At a certain period of time (perhaps in the early period of the Roman Republic, led by two Consuls), the Legion (Roman army) was divided into two separate legions, each of which was submitted to one of the consuls.

In the first years of the Roman Republic, military actions were mainly armed raids, and therefore it is not known whether the full combat power of the Legion was involved in the hostilities.

Wars who led the Roman republic became increasingly frequent and took the character of planned combat operations. In the 4th century BC e. Each consul was already obeyed by two legions, and their total number increased to four. If you need to conduct a military campaign, additional legions gained.

From 331 BC e. At the head of each legion, a military tribune stood. The internal structure of the Legion became more complicated, the combat order from the classic phalanx was changed to the manipulatory, and at the same time the tactics of the combat use of the legions were improved.

From the beginning of the IV century BC e. The soldiers were established a small salary. Legion began to count 3000 people with severe infantry (eng.) (Principles, Gastats, Triariasis), 1,200 people Easy infantry (orders) and 300 cavalry.

Organization: Original 4200 infantry in 30 tactical divisions - manipulas (consisting of 2 centuries of 60-120 warriors), reduced in 10 cohort, and 300 riders in 10 turs.

Tactics: Transition from phalange to manipulatory construction (a clear division of 3 lines and manipula divisions in a row with intervals). The combat order of the Legion consisted of 3 lines of 10 manipulation in each.

• gastats - 1200 people \u003d 10 manipulat \u003d 20 centuries of 60 people - 1 row;
• principles - 1,200 people \u003d 10 manipulat \u003d 20 centuries of 60 people -2 row;
• triari - 600 people \u003d 10 manipulat \u003d 20 centuries for 30 people - 3 row;
• easy infantry - orders, out of construction (1,200);
• cavalry on the flanks.

The legions (now in a significant part consisting of Germans) are built into the columns, go to a spear and sleep instead of sawmill and gladia, use an oval shield of auxilium instead of scoop, and armor will be significantly eased. At the end of the existence of the Western Roman Empire, they are increasingly inferior to the hired barbaric units or themselves are mostly consisting of the same barbarians, but the last legions were disbanded already in the Byzantine Empire during the transition to the fechen system.

Armament of legionnaires[ | ]

Pill [ | ]

The saws were a dart - a throwing speech of infantry, a somewhat shortened and lightweight compared to the spears for equestrian or hand-to-hand combat and appropriately balanced for the convenience of throwing. Romans had two types of saws - short (2 m long) and heavy (4-5 kg). The saw blade has ended with a long iron tip with a crochet. Plums rushed at a distance of 7-10 m in enemy shields. Slept peeling with his weight pulled the shield and deprived the opponent's ability to hide off from strikes.

Gladius. [ | ]

Gladius was the most terrible weapon of the legionnaire, universal in purpose: they could be prick, chop, cut and even throw in case of need. This sword had a short double-edged blade with a length of about 0.5 m and a width of 4-7 cm, edged with a cross-shaped handle. He was on the right, and not on the left, side. Small sizes made it very convenient for use in close-ranking and in hand-to-hand combat with close contact with the opponent. Running wounds from gladius have always been fatal. It was Gladius that turned the Roman Legion in the near battle to the devilish meat grinder, mercilessly grinding any enemy.

Scoundum [ | ]

Scoundes are a huge shield of the legionnaires of the rounded shape, unsuitable for individual battle, but very effective in the ranks; He reliably defended the legionnaire from shocks from all sides, except for stuck blows from above. The dimensions of the scounder accounted for about 75 cm wide and about 1.2 m height. Made it from glued together with several wooden plates, which were tightened with felt and were offended by iron strips along the edges and around the perimeter. In the center of the shield was mounted strongly convex Iron Umbon round shape. The shield handle was horizontal and held in full grip. The legionnaires kept the shield not before the breasts, and along the left side, and the opponents were tested, leaving the shield shoulder and helping themselves with a short sword, which, with such a use of the shield, it is more convenient to wear on the right.

Notes [ | ]

In the era of the royal Rome, each warrior acquired weapons in his own expense, so it was diverse. Later, when serving Tullia, events were carried out on the introduction of uniform weapons: for each property class, a single weapon standard was introduced. Representatives of the 1st class should have a sword, spear (HASTA), darts, helmet (GALEA), shell (Lorica), Bronze Shield (Clipeus) and Leggings (Ocrea); The 2nd class is the same set, but without a shell and shield-scunt instead of CLIPEUS; The 3rd grade is the same set, but without so much; 4th grade - spear-counseling and peak (VERUTUM), without armor; The 5th grade is only one rush.

In the era of the republic, within the framework of the manipulative reorganization of the Legion, the process of unification of armament of Roman warriors entered a new phase. On the eve of Punic Wars (III century BC), the Romans introduced monotonous completion and weapons of manipulas: if earlier each manipula consisted of gastats, principles and triaries, now it was completed only one of these types of infantry.

Legion Military Camp[ | ]

The Legion Military Camp is a fortification of a defensive type for rest and sleep. The camp was built by the type of fortress (rectangular shape, towers in the corners, four inputs). All fortification fortifications were built of wood. They dug around the fortress, put the stakes from the tree and watered with their combustible substances.

Of the 30 legions included in the Rome Army of the Epoch of the Principate, 19 still existed in the era of late antiquity. In the West of the Roman Empire, the regular army disappeared at the end of the V century. The legions were crushed in the east, decreased in numbers and diluted with new military units, but continued to exist. What the Roman legions remained to the VI-VII centuries and what the Legion mentioned in the inscription from 635 became the last one?

Searches in the west

Jesus in military closure, characteristic of images of emperors, Basilica Basilica Mosaic, Ravenna, 494-519.

The theme of the "Last Roman Legion" today is in demand by a popular culture. On this occasion, films are filmed, books are written and discussions are underway on the network - both among professionals and amateurs. In 2007, the film "Last Legion" was filmed in the UK, in the USA in the USA - the film "Centurion", and in 2011 Americans removed the painting "Eagle IX Legion". These and some other films unites the plot associated with the decline of the Roman Empire and the search for the "Last Legion".

There are many candidates for the "Recent Legions", and the authors of the relevant texts rarely take the work to confirm their point of view to sources. Meanwhile, this problem is more complicated than it seems at first glance, since it is linked to the question of the fate of an ancient military organization, about its structures, forms, chronological and territorial boundaries, about continuity or to break the tradition related to the transition from antiquity to Middle Ages.

Roman swords IV century, Nidam, Denmark

The most important source of our knowledge about the Late Rima army organization is Notitia Dignitatum, or "Schedule of posts" - an official document created in the leadership of Master's posts ( magister Officiorum), and containing a description of the structure of the military command, as well as the location of the deployment of detachments.

The text of the document has a complex nature and detects signs of changes that have consistently introduced into it. The compilers sought him to bring it into line with a military organization that were in constant change, so there is no uniform document dating. It seems to be modern researchers, the eastern half of the document dates back to about 400 year, after which the changes to the document are no longer contributed. Western half reflects and later changes, its preparation time is dated about 425.

Miniature containing insignia Magister Outiciorum from a richly illustrated Code Notitia Dignitatum, XVI century. All preserved copies of the document go to the Illuminated Code XI century, which, in turn, comes from the original V c.

The picture of the military forces, which at this time, the Roman Empire has impressive. In the West, the total number of troops reached 240,000 people, of which 130,000 were part of the border guardian ( limitanei.), and 110,000 were the field army ( comitatenses.). The most powerful militarily was a group of troops, located along the borders on the Upper Danube. It included 117 detachments. Italy's army numbered 44 detachments, the Gallic army - 58, 46 detachments were located in Britain, in Illirion - 22, in Spain - 16, in Africa - 36 detachments.

True, researchers note the progressive decline in the quality of troops, which was associated with the narrowing of the recruit database. Large losses of the field army at the beginning of the V c. The government tried to compensate for on the one hand, transferring border detachments to its composition, on the other - hiring for big money by barbars with their own leaders as commanders. The result of these dubious measures was the further weakening of the defense of the Empire, which was constantly attacked.

Modern reconstruction of the Roman warrior of the end of the IV century. The warrior is riveted in a scaly shell and a luxuriously decorated helmet, wearing a ledge on the legs. Its weapon consists of a spear and a sword that is worn in sheaths suspended to belt spooler on the left side. Round Shield with Iron Umbon has a convex shape and an armored emblem is decorated with the front side

The last half a century of its existence, the Western Roman Empire literally expired blood. Back in 407, her troops were derived from Britain, and the provincial protection is assigned to the allies-federated shoulders. In 455, Vandals captured Africa, destroying or dissolveing \u200b\u200bthe remaining remnants of the Roman troops. In 457, after the death of the Emperor Mayorian, Westges occupied Spain and South Gallia.

The remains of the Gallic army continued to stay in Belgike, while in 486, the King of Frankings Chlodvig did not smash them and did not kill the last commander of Siagria. The Illyria army existed to the death of the rule in Dalmatia in Dalmatia. In 472, the warriors of the IX of the Batava cohorts, who stood in Passau, who had not received salary, sent several people to Italy. No one heard anything about them until their bodies sailed along the river. The soldiers diverged into different directions.

"As long as the Roman Empire stood firmly, the warriors of many cities, the guarding of the borders, lived at the expense of the state salary. But when such a order of things stopped, the military units disappeared together with the border "(Eugip. Sev., XX).

The state of affairs in the east

The Eastern Roman Empire was in a relatively more profitable position. The pressure of enemies on its borders was smaller, and the government had a large volume of domestic reserves - both financial and human. There was also a reduction in the base for a military set, however, in contrast to the Western Roman Empire, the attraction of barbarians for serving the service was practiced in moderate quantities, and the basis of the army has always been the subjects of the empire. Among them, special importance belonged to the rest from the Balkan provinces and the natives of Malaya Asia.

According to the data Notitia Dignitatum, the army of the Eastern Roman Empire consisted of 100,000 field army soldiers ( comitatenses.) and 250,000 warriors of the border troops ( limitanei.). Field armies were divided into five equivalent groups, of which two under the command of presenting masters ( magister Presentalis.) Placed near the capital and constituted a strategic reserve (72 detachment), and the rest were under the command of the relevant Illyria masters (26 detachments), Frakia (29 detachments) and the East (31 detachment). The largest grouping of the border troops was located along the Danube and numbered 65,000 soldiers, the rest were guarded along the Persian border and in Egypt.

Lamellar helmet VI century, consisting of iron plates fastened with straps. Belonged to Byzantine Warrior or Fedend, Bulgaria

Roman army V-VI centuries. retained a significant continuity in relation to the military structures of the classical era. The troops were shared on the infantry and cavalry, and the value of the latter increased significantly during the reforms of the last decades of the IV century. The infantry continued to consist of legions in which citizens and auxiliary parts were served in which stateless persons were gained. Of the 174 legions listed in Notitia Dignitatum, 19 was sealed to parts formed by August and its closest successors in I c. AD The rest were created from the number of centies isolated from them or recruited in the second half of the III - early IV centuries.

In structure and numbers, the differences between old and new legions were minimal - and those and others were detachments, numbering about 1,000 people in their composition. The structure of the auxiliary detachments was more pins. They included in the first auxilia ( auxilii.), scored from the number of nomanized provincials; secondly allies ( socii.) from among the friendly empires of peoples; Third federals ( foederati.), scored under the contract for a certain period.

In the course of almost continuous wars of the V-VI centuries. The detachments often crushed, moved from place to place, some of them died, others were anew. The border parts were brought into the composition of the hiking armies, and to fulfill the task or returned back, or moved to a new place. For example, the warriors of the ITII Legion III of about 400 were distributed on the garrisons of five Danube fortresses, and in addition, they were part of the field army. II Italian Legion At the same time defended three border fortifications, including the fortress of Lavriak in the upper reaches of the Danube, where the headquarters of the Legion Prefect was located, and at the same time was listed as part of a hiking army located in Africa.

The III Diocletian Legion was part of the Master of Master Frakia, another 4 detachment, who worn the same name, stood in Egypt and in Fiana. The Noriksky Legion was fragmented into two parts. The headquarters of the V Macedonian Legion was in the esk in coastal Dakia, and its individual parts were stationed in others settlements The same province (in Varinian, Cebroza and Suzidava). Finally, another legion with the same title stood in the Nile Delta at Memphis.

Roman banner IV century. From Egypt, the State Museum of Fine Arts. A. S. Pushkin, Moscow

As a result of these changes, the number of detachments became different, the preserved names did not always correspond to the nominal structure and numbers. Already in the VI century. The former names of the detachments began to get out of use, replacing new. So, the term began to be used to designate the regular part αριθμος ("Arifimo", number, cf. Lat. numerus. same meaning) or καθαλογος ("Catalog", list). To refer to the military unit in general, regardless of its structure and numbers, used the word βανδον ("Bandon", banner, cf. Lat. bandum same meaning) as well ταγμα ("Tagma", detachment). The last term was especially popular with military theoretics.

Such wording creates serious problems of identifying individual parts. So, it is not known to us whether the warriors of the arithmia of Feodosiakov ( στρατιώτης αριθμοθ των καθοσιωμένων Θεοδοσιακων ), known in the texts of papyrus VI-VII centuries. from Nessana in Palestine, Legion Ballistariyev Feodosiakov, according to the list Notitia Dignitatum In subordination of the Master of the East, as A. Khm Jones believed or is an unknown to other sources a division numerus Theodosiacus., as B. Izek. We also do not know whether it is possible to relate the last name with numerus Theodosiacus. As part of the Roman garrison at the beginning of the VII century, or the speech here is about completely different detachments.

The search range is narrowed

Epigraphic documents, especially Egyptian papyrus, allow partly to find out which military units were part of the Byzantine Army VI century, and to allocate from their number those that occur from old legions. The first place in this list should be given to the V Macedonian Legion, whose soldiers were part of the Garrison of the province of at least III century. Camp V Macedonian Legion, according to data Notitia Dignitatum, was in Memphis. The presence of the Legion here during the V c. witnessed in a number of papyrus, which mention λεγιώνος πέμπτης μακεδονικης των εν μέφε; Tribunus Quintanorum; έέμπτης μακεδονίκης..

Papyrus, mentioning the vicar of the soldiers of Macedonians and Scythians ( βικαρίου των στρατιωτων Σκυθων και των Μακεδόνων ), testifies that in the middle of the VI century. Legion was still in Egypt, but may have been translated from Memphis to Anthlenopol in Fivide. If the name mentioned in papyrus Μακεδόνωι related with the V Macedonian Legion, then the name Σκυθωι Belongs to the soldiers or IV Scythian Legion, whose headquarters at the beginning of the V c. It was placed in Ores in Syria, or the Talta Legion eponymous, who was under the command of the second Present Master. "Valiant Scythians" several times were mentioned in the Egyptian papyrus of the second half of the VI century.

Compared with information about old legions, data on new legions formed by diocletian and its closest successors, somewhat more numerous. Of the six Palatine legions, placed according to the data Notitia Dignitatum In Egypt, Papyrus from Arsinoe, dated 531, Donov to us the name of "Valiant Darks", στρατιώτης αριθμου των γενναιοτάτων Δακων The previously famous Legion of Ducks. In the same document, we find the mention of the Legion of TranBrites ( στρατιώτης αριθμου των καθωσιωμένων Τρανστιγριτανων ), previously under the command of the Military Master of the East. There are also information about transtigriters in other Egyptian papyrus 406-538.

A large mansion is a large group of papyrus from Siena on the southern border of Egypt, mentioning a certain military squad, who was the garrison here in the 580s. In some papyrus, a detachment is called λεγεωνος that allows you to relate it to the I Legion Maximian or Milites Miliarenseslisted B. Notitia Dignitatum In the list of legions placed as a siena garrison.

Outside Egypt, information about the composition of the Byzantine Army VI B. Not so numerous. One of these evidence is the story of the FEOFILACT Symocathte about the battle in Salahon in Malaya Asia in 586, in which he took the squad of the quarterfany ( Κουαρτοπάρθων ). Under this name, undoubtedly presented IV Parthian Legion, which Notitia Dignitatum Placed in Zircezia in Eufrat. By the time the events of the events, Legion was already translated into Syria, and his headquarters was in Bero.

Even later data provides the agiographic source of "Life of forty martyrs from Gaza". Describing the capture of the city of Arabs in 635, the author mentions the soldiers of Scythians and Voluntarians in the garrison. The first Scythians are coyed for previously considered Egyptian papyrus and belong to or to soldiers of the IV Scythian Legion from Oresa, or to the relevant Palatine Legion. The second, in turn, are VIII Cogatrut Voluntaries listed by the author Notitia Dignitatum As part of the Garrison of Arabia.

Defense citadel, wood carving, Egypt, V c. Roman warriors on the relief are ringing with long sheath and sleeves to the elbow, helmets with hair sultan and round shields. Images on shields resemble miniatures from Notitia Dignitatum. Attackers are riders in armor, perhaps Persians

Finally, the very late currently source is the 635 construction inscription from Heliopole (current Baalbek, located in the east of Lebanon). The text of the inscriptions mentions Macedonians, who stood in the city as a garrison and served here to update the fortifications. It is most likely that these warriors belonged to the V Macedonian Legion from Egypt.

Thus, according to the preserved written sources, it was the V Macedonian Legion that was the above-described time with the oldest detachment of the Byzantine army, which remained continuity towards the units of the United Empire's army. He fully deserves the right to be considered the "last Roman Legion".

Literature:

1. Zuckerman C. Comtes Et Ducs En Egypte Autor De L'An 400 et La Date de La Notitia Dignitatum Orientis. // Antiquite Tardive, 1998
2. Shuvalov P.V. Secret of the army of Justinian. East Army in 491-641. - St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg Oriental Science.
3. Thompson E. A. Romans and Varvara. Falling the Western Empire. St. Petersburg., 2003.
4. Jones A. Kh. M. The death of the ancient world. - Rostov on Don: Phoenix, 1997.
5. Glushanin E. P. 1986. Border Army of Byzantium IV century. / Byzantine temporary, 1986. T.43.
6. Dixon K. R., Southern P. The Late Roman Army. - London, 1996.
7. Shuvalov P.V. Secret of the army of Justinian. East Army Army in 491 - 641. - St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg Oriental Science.
8. 12. ISAAC B. 1992. The Limits of Empire. The Roman Army in the East. - Oxford, 1992. - P.209. NEGEV A. The Architecture of Mamppsis. - Tel Aviv, 1988. - P.1-2.
9. Borodin O. R. Evolution of troops in Byzantine Italy in the VI-VIII centuries. (Military Organizational Aspect). // Byzantine temporary, 1986, vol. 46. P. 125.
10. Gearsheva A. G. Nessian papyrus. The main problems of the socio-economic and political history of the South Palestine IV-VII centuries. // Orthodox Palestinian Collection 1998, n. 96 (33).
11. Haldon, J.F. Administrative Continuities A NOT. Dig. Structural Transformations in East Roman Military Organization CA. 580-640 / L'Armee Romaine et Les Barbares du 4e Au 7e SieCle. COLLOQUE DU CNRS. // ED. M. Kazanski. - Paris, 1993. - P.46, N.37.
12. Inscriptions Grecques et Latines De La Syrie / Ed. J.-P. Rey-Coquais. - Paris, 1967. - T.6, N.2828.

There is a legend about how the two philosophers-Romans argued once: - We always blame for the fact that we borrowed culture, art, science, even laws. That the luxury, the surrounding us, we brought from other states. Everything, absolutely everything - Egypt, Greece, Syria ... What created Rome? The second philosopher thought a little, then answered with proud dignity: - Rome created the most important art! Rome created war!

Undoubtedly, Roman legionnaires were the best warriors of that time.
The Legionnaire had to be a Roman citizen, although in the east citizenship could be assigned to enroll in the army.
If possible, it would be nice to bring a letter of recommendation.
If a person was taken to Legion, he was paid a small amount to cover track expenses. Arriving in the fortress, the legionnaire took the military oath. Then he was recorded in centuria. The oath was renovated every new year.

2. Sit comfortably and see the photos I did during the Rome Times and Epoch Festival in Kolomensky.

3. Cavalry.

4. The Romans after the Punic Wars often used not to Confits from the Roman horsemen and allies-Italian, but used Numidia, Gallean, Germanic, Spanish and other hired detachments, or as separate parts-alla (300-400 people) or 120 people in the Legion .

5. The main part of the cavalry of the principality of the principality was Gallean contesions, uniformly armed and organized in Alla under the leadership of the prefects from the Romans.

6. Numidians were famous for light cavalry, throwing darts and incredibly mobile. Galla, Iberians and Germans were used as shock cavalry and intelligence. In the protection of the emperor, there were from 1000 to 2,000 riders-Batavov.

7. We will continue about the legionnaires.
The recruitment was required to undergo long-term training and gain experience before getting closer with veterans.

8. He was taught to go in the ranks: during the service, soldiers were supposed to pass on three times a month at a month.

9. References were taught to break the camp and forced twice a day to engage in construction preparation (trained legionnaire was engaged in building preparation once a day). All recruits were taught to throw stones from the capabilities, swim and ride. They were taught to jump onto the horse, as well as sit in the saddle and swaying in full service and with a shield, on the right and left.

10. For teaching weapon handling, a pillar was used in human growth. The newovyman, armed with a shield, woven from a rod, and a wooden sword, and the other - twice as much as the usual shield and sword, - attacked the pillar, looking to prick, and not hack with a swing. When the foundations were laid, they moved to training fights in which swords and darts were used with a protected edge to avoid serious injuries.

11. Catapult is fighting machine For throwing stone nuclei, which first appeared in service with the ancient Greeks. It was intended for shooting at enemy soldiers, technique, defensive structures. The catapult was a terrible weapon, because, in addition to nuclei, it is metal barrels with burning coals.

12. Military discipline in the Romans was founded not so much on the awareness of the warrior of his civil debt as in coercion, and was supported by rugs of liktors. Disobedience was punished with all the severeness, up to the death penalty.

13. The service was obliged to carry every Roman citizen. Slaves in the army were not allowed. To carry military service in the field army, people aged 17 to 45 were selected. Men 45-60 years old during the war carried the service in the rear.

14. Only those persons who participated in 20 military campaigns during the service in infantry or 10 military campaigns during the service in Connection were released from military service. The people were freed from military service. Subsequently, they achieved the right to serve in the army and formed a light infantry.

15. Initially, the entire army of the Republican Rome was called the Legion and there were 4200 infantry and 300 riders. But over time, this rule has not become observed and the number of legion began to reach up to 6 thousand people.

16. The main weapon of the legionnaire was a spear and a short double-edged and pointed on the end of a sword, suitable for cutting and slices.
The sword was the Military emblem of Rome. A short, stitching and chopping sword was the most convenient for the Roman hidden building, because the fight was closely closed the fight.

17. Great importance had discipline in the army. In the campaign, the soldier was entirely subordinate to his boss. The discipline was supported by severe punishments. The commander of the army, the consul, and even more so the dictator could at its discretion to betray the death penalty. Centurions could be punished at their discretion of soldiers for all misconduct: corporal punishment was widely used in the army. But the discipline was relied not only for punitive measures. The Roman army consisted of free people interested in victory over the enemy, for it was about the protection of his native city (as it was during the Gallic invasion or war with Pyrrh) or the seizure of new lands under Pashny and Pasture.

18. If necessary, Roman legionnaires constituted the so-called "turtle" - a special look of the closed structure formed by connecting the shields.

19. Roman military minor and large units had their distinctive signs. They consisted of various metal images: wreaths, medallions, eagles, etc., attached by small quadrangular flags of white, red and purple colors.

20. In the Roman army, along with punishments, there were awards. The commander who won the war with an external enemy received the right to Triumph - a solemn meeting in Rome: the commander in a laurel wreath and purple, decorated with gold Tog on the chariot drove into the city accompanied by victorious troops. The procession ended in the Capitol, where a solemn sacrifice was committed.

21. Small triumph was called ovation. In this case, the commander took the city on horseback on horseback or hiking, on his head there was a peaceful wreath. The highest signs of the differences were wreaths. Comarters received laurel wreaths. The warrior, who walked first on the wall of the precipitated fortress, received a golden wreath, made like a fortress wall with towers. For the salvation of a Roman citizen, an honorable wreath of oak leaves lay on his head.

22. In addition to the legions that consisted exclusively from Roman citizens, there were still so-called allies in the Roman army, recurring from the conquered tribes and communities of Italy.

23. They were auxiliary troops located on the flanks of the legions. One legion was supposed to have 5 thousand infantry and 900 allied riders.

24. The floor-made infantry was first combined, which was built before the Legion Front. Then, after joining the battle forces, the passenger-plated warriors retreated into the intervals between the manipulas, and the battle was already the first line, that is, the fortune-you.

25. The troops built into the battle order attacked the enemy with a warlike cry with the sounds of military music.

26. Veterans - Roman citizens from provinces for their origin - received land in Zalpian Gaul, Spain, Africa, Ilnik, Epirus, Ahaya, Asia, Viphini.
Unlike Italy, in the provinces, veterans often put the beginning of new cities, including the highest in Roman laws - colonial status.

27. The secret of the victories of the Roman weapon was rare combining the high mastery of each warrior with the impeccable ability to fight in a large and small team.
Romans, like none of their opponents, knew how to clearly and rapidly rebuild during the battle: to crumble into small units, gather together, closing in a deaf defense, go to the crushing attack, coordinatedly performing orders of commanders at any tactical level - from separation to cohorts and legion generally. Every soldier in battle knew his place, was confident in comrades and commander.

28. Roman warriors, being genuine carriers of ancient values, knew a sense in wines. The "Wine Map" Legioneer was very extensive. Wine vinegar - a mixture of wine with water - in the Roman army, alcohol was not considered and was an indispensable satellite of the soldier during the march and on the watchdog post.

29. Basic nutrition for Roman soldiers was free.

30. Grain (about 1 kg per person per day) was the basis of the campaign diet of the Roman Legioneer. Each branch had hand mills, as well as boilers and frying pan cooking. The Marshiy Diet of Legioneer included cereals, cakes, cheese, ham and wine, diluted with water.

31. The recipe for a hiking soldier's praise, which Roman legionnaires cooked at the privals during a march.
0.5 kg of ground with hand mills grain, 2 liters of water, half a tablespoon of ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon of salt, a few cropping cloves of garlic, 50 grams of cubes chopped with cubes, 100 grams of cubes of crude beef. All this is boiling on a fire for 45 minutes.
Squeeze better dry red wine.

32. Roman legionnaires reached our borders.
According to the materials of archaeological excavations, it is possible to trace the episodic stay of legionnaires on the territory of the Crimea Peninsula.
It begins during the period of the Thai wars, from the end of the I - the beginning of the II century of our era.

33. The first time the legions entered the Crimea to prevent the attempts of the Bosporian Tsar Mithridate III to get rid of the patronage of Rome. The result is short, but the bloody war was the intronization of the king of Cotis, who switched to the loyalty to the emperor.

34. The second time the Romans returned to the peninsula in 20 years at the request of the Archonts of Chersonesse, who turned to Senate with the petition for the protection of the city from Scythian raids.
Legionnaires in the Crimea built a fortress (Mishor's area), held a crucible road through the pass to the Baidar valley, made several aqueducts and small fortresses to protect the sources fresh water. In addition, in Chersonese stood a large garrison of two cohort teams, and in Balaclava there was a stationary base of the Rivne squadron ships.

35. The Roman Empire has long disappeared. I went back as wars with a spear and a sword.
But so far we remember the Iron Legions of Rome.