by Fran Moriarty

Created on: July 24, 2009   Last Updated: July 26, 2009

The Roman Empire had its roots as a city-state on the Italian peninsula. Within 700 years of its founding, Rome ruled the world. The ingenuity of the Roman military combat style provided the advantage needed to conquer the world. Four factors contributed to the genius that lead Rome to become a worldwide empire.

<><>Rome learned from their opponents.<><>

The large rectangular shield, the scrotum, was an ingenuous addition to the Roman legionnaire. It was a defensive combat tool taken from the Gauls during conflict in 390 BC. The Spanish campaign in the 3rd century BC provided the gladius , a short stabbing sword. The gladius used with the scrotum proved a highly effective killing weapon. The long spear (pilium) was taken from the Saminites. The naval techniques were learned from the Carthaginians during the First Punic War. Rome also learned to use the conquered peoples to fight for them.

<><>Rome developed ingenious battle formations.<><>

Alexander gave the world the phalanx formation. It was the formation that conquered the world in the 4th Century BC. The Roman army moved away from the phalanx developing new formations to meet different battlefield situations. These formations provided Scipio the means to defeat Hannibal's larger army at Zama. A formation of a series of battle lines may greet the opposing army. As the battle raged the first rank fell back allowing the second rank, fresh troops, to continue the assault. This followed by the third rank. Rigorous training provided the discipline for a change in formation to be enacted. Legionnaires may switch to a wedge to charge or a hollow square to repel cavalry or a turtle to protect from archers. The commanders were better than the opponents in most cases and were able to adapt to meet each new challenge. This ability provided an edge the Roman Army.

<><>Roman armies were organized.<><>

The Roman organization provided discipline, chain of command, and logistics. Roman soldiers did two things: fight and train. Discipline was a way of life. From Consul to centurion, an order of command existed. The Roman army excelled at logistics. A field camp was established to maintain supplies and necessary equipment. Within 5 hours, a field camp could be established with trenches and palisade. This camp would be within 200 feet of the front line.

<><>Rome had technology.<><>

Successful armies had an edge in technology. The Roman army was modern for its day with advanced technology of the time. Cities that closed the gates in hope the Roman army would just go away would be subjected to Rome's technology. Siege towers allowed legionnaires to rain arrows and stones down into a village. Battering rams broke gates open. Catapultae, like a crossbow, could propel a large arrow tipped iron sear. Scopio, ballistae and onagers were catapults of various sizes that could toss rocks into a village. Opposing armies were overwhelmed by the advanced technology.

These ingenious tactics and combat styles provided the Roman army with a distinct advantage. Rome had spirit. It had the perseverance. It had seemingly bottomless resources. It had resolve to bring civilization to the barbaric world. Rome offered citizenship to conquered peoples and then used them as auxiliaries of the Roman army. This is the way and means that Rome became the capital of the world.

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