by Frances Stanford

Created on: July 16, 2009   Last Updated: December 15, 2009

The Roman Empire was able to obtain and hold a wide expanse of territory in ancient times due to the ingenious style of combat that its troops employed. The Roman army was well-trained and skilful in the use of weapons. The troops were disciplined and professional when it came to battle tactics and were able to defeat their enemies in battle. The daily training drills included training in the use of the weapons in hand-to-hand combat, initial muster and formation and marching techniques. In addition, they were also trained to withstand physical trauma over long overland marches.

Training consisted of swimming and running to build up the physical strength of the soldiers. They were required to go on long marches in full battle dress carrying heavy loads of equipment that weighed as much as 50 pounds. The training also involved setting up camps quickly and dismantling them in record time. Combat exercises also involved wearing the battle dress and fighting with the wooden weapons, such as how to stay behind their shields when attacking an enemy soldier. The style of fighting taught was very similar to the stance and steps used by boxers today, such as keeping their shield and right foot forward, while keeping their left foot to the rear.

The logistics used by the Roman army is still regarded as being the best in the world. The Romans had a science of not only training the troops, but in the manner in which they relayed messages to the various bases and in the manner in which they sent supplies. The soldiers were trained in constructing roads to make travel easier. They used heavy equipment to carry tents, extra weapons and food supplies and when travel by water was essential they rented ships as they needed them.

Marching into battle involved the soldiers marching in several columns, with the strongest body advancing on the enemy first. Scouts surveyed the terrain for possible establishment of base camps that gave the army an advantageous position and flank and reconnaissance positions were set up as security. In battle itself, three ranks were deployed. This manoeuvre was very complex and meant that thousands of soldiers were spread coming into play in sections. Each unit had a designated place on the battle line and when the grouping was accomplished, the force was a formidable one that often scared the enemy into retreat or surrender.

The beginning of combat in battle was that the soldiers in front would throw their spears or javelins at the enemy and then retreat so that the second rank could move into place. In this way, the troops were constantly recycling, which meant that the injuries would be as minimal as possible and that they could outmanoeuvre the enemy who had to regroup for the next phase of fighting.

Although the Roman army did suffer some defeats, for the most part they were victorious in their campaigns and were able to easily overcome their opponents. They had an advantage in the practiced techniques that they used in battle, which is why they were so successful.

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