| The period with which we're going to deal is that of | | | | After that, the use of them both together. They had to |
| the Empire, which came about in 27 B.C.E. Prior to that, | | | | learn to keep themselves completely covered with |
| during the Republic, every man between the ages of | | | | their shields, and to stab with their swords, not slash. |
| 17 and 45 was expected to serve in the army for the | | | | Slashing would seldom kill anyone and in the |
| defense of Rome, when necessary. He had to supply | | | | excitement of battle, when you were in mid-slash, you |
| himself with all his own weapons and armour, but with | | | | would most likely leave your flank exposed. |
| the coming of the Empire, all this ceased. | | | | Next came the bow, sling and javelin. Again, the |
| The Roman soldier became a salaried professional, | | | | practice javelins were twice the weight of the real |
| and the training of a Roman soldier became a very | | | | ones. In full battle order, a soldier would carry about |
| serious business. | | | | five javelins in the hollow of his shield. |
| The historian, Peter Heather tells us that; "The training | | | | In fact, as far as the bow was concerned, only about |
| was like the Marines, only much nastier!" | | | | one third to one quarter of the youngest and fittest |
| A Roman legion was divided into 10 cohorts, | | | | were trained with this weapon. |
| (battalions), 30 maniples, (companies), and 60 centuries, | | | | All soldiers were trained in vaulting over wooden |
| (platoons). A legion was between 5000-6000 men. | | | | horses. First, they'd train without armour and then |
| Before they even touched a weapon, trainees first | | | | practice while wearing it. Once the soldier had been |
| had to learn to march. Perhaps more accurately, to | | | | taught to march in formation, the next stage was route |
| keep formation. Ranks with the discipline to keep | | | | marches, fully armoured and armed. |
| formation were seldom defeated, so the thinking went, | | | | The armour and accouterments would weigh in the |
| and if we study their battles, the thinking was | | | | region of 40 lbs, while he'd have to carry about |
| absolutely correct. | | | | another 35 lbs. of gear. Flavius Josephus, writing in the |
| Next came practice in running, leaping ditches and | | | | 1st. century, C.E., tells us.. |
| climbing over difficult objects. Swimming, too, was an | | | | "They carry a saw, a basket, a pick and an axe, as |
| essential part of their training. Not only them, but the | | | | well as a leather strap, a sickle, a chain, and enough |
| cavalry, horses and even servants had to learn as | | | | rations for three days." |
| well. | | | | As well as this was his cloak and blanket. |
| Then came sword practice with wooden swords, | | | | The method of carrying these was on a 'T' pole, a |
| which were twice the weight of the real ones. We | | | | wooden pole about 4 feet long, with a shorter piece |
| saw the Normans doing exactly the same thing. Not | | | | fixed securely and at right angles to one end. On this |
| only does this strengthen the arm, but it makes you a | | | | would be tied or hung everything that the legionary |
| great deal faster with the real weapon in battle. | | | | required. |
| Practice with the shield came next. | | | | |