Words On Romans

Above is a typical maniple four figures per stand Hi in the time of Caesar (circa 50 B.C.). Hi translates as heavy infantry. Three maniples make up a cohort. Ten cohorts make a legion.

Romans at this time are allowed to go into loose order (Lhi). Usually though Romans fight four figures per stand. Hi Romans will shoot or melee all the front rank and half the second rank of figures.

Notice the Roman dress. They wear a helmet, lorica hamata, and a greave on their right leg which they lead with. Roman Hi moves slower than Celtic Lmi. This is because of their heavy equipment. The tunic could be almost any color. For Roman colors I use Peter Connolley's paintings and the wall paintings of Pompeii.

For offensive weapons the Roman soldier relied on a pair of throwing spears (pila), one heavy and one lighter. For a side arm the Roman uses the Spanish short thrusting sword. When throwing their pila the Romans hoped to hit the enemy shield. The wrought iron head would either bend or the wood shaft was designed to pop off. In both cases the enemy would have to drop his shield as it would be weighed down by the weight of the pila sticking in it. Time would not allow pulling it out as the Romans, like all javelin throwers, would do so at a run. The enitre Roman unit would move forward to throw. In throwing the Romans would rapidly advance throwing their pila by file. When the second was thrown the Roman would in a compound motion of the right arm pull his sword from its scaboard ready to stab at the enemy after throwing. Romans used their javelins (pila) and swords differently than the Celts. {Try throwing a broom handle standing. Then try throwing it running forward. I think you will get the idea.}