Roman Military
THE ROMAN MILITARY
No powerful civilization has ever excised without a well-organized military. The Republic of Rome and Imperial Rome would have no been so influential to civilizations across the globe without a powerful military. Imperial Rome conquered vast lands from Britain to North Africa, from Egypt to Judea with their military which consisted of well discipline soldiers from their generals to the simple foot soldiers. This military was not an armed mob with clubs and spear; they were a high skilled set of professional soldiers. Over the vast Roman Empire the military executed the will of the emperor. The distinct similarities of the Roman Military to that of modern militaries, the history of their conquest and duties, and their influence on Christianity are the attributes that influenced the entire world. Ancient civilization at its core was a very brutal time. Hollywood at times portrays military battles being fought by mob like soldiers with no clear organization. The Roman military was something quite different. Like modern military’s Roman armies did have standing formations with ‘regimental’ identities and traditions. (Coulston) There were rank, promotion , and pay structures; personal field decorations and unit citations; an identifiable officer class; concepts of doctrine; military discipline; state supply of food, clothing and equipment; medical provision; and end of service retirement mechanisms. (Coulston) It is very astonishing that an ancient military has some of the same characteristics as those of modern military’s. The modern day’s serviceman uniform is likely to have badges or a type of insignia; these badges are used to set themselves apart from other units. Unit badges were also common place in the ancient Roman times.
Unit badges were often the zodiac sign of the founder (e.g. bull for Julius Caesar, scorpion for Tiberius), a totemic animal (e.g. Capricorn or Pegasus for Augustan foundation, wild boar for
No powerful civilization has ever excised without a well-organized military. The Republic of Rome and Imperial Rome would have no been so influential to civilizations across the globe without a powerful military. Imperial Rome conquered vast lands from Britain to North Africa, from Egypt to Judea with their military which consisted of well discipline soldiers from their generals to the simple foot soldiers. This military was not an armed mob with clubs and spear; they were a high skilled set of professional soldiers. Over the vast Roman Empire the military executed the will of the emperor. The distinct similarities of the Roman Military to that of modern militaries, the history of their conquest and duties, and their influence on Christianity are the attributes that influenced the entire world. Ancient civilization at its core was a very brutal time. Hollywood at times portrays military battles being fought by mob like soldiers with no clear organization. The Roman military was something quite different. Like modern military’s Roman armies did have standing formations with ‘regimental’ identities and traditions. (Coulston) There were rank, promotion , and pay structures; personal field decorations and unit citations; an identifiable officer class; concepts of doctrine; military discipline; state supply of food, clothing and equipment; medical provision; and end of service retirement mechanisms. (Coulston) It is very astonishing that an ancient military has some of the same characteristics as those of modern military’s. The modern day’s serviceman uniform is likely to have badges or a type of insignia; these badges are used to set themselves apart from other units. Unit badges were also common place in the ancient Roman times.
Unit badges were often the zodiac sign of the founder (e.g. bull for Julius Caesar, scorpion for Tiberius), a totemic animal (e.g. Capricorn or Pegasus for Augustan foundation, wild boar for
Cited: Coulston, Jon. "Courage And Cowardice In The Roman Imperial Army." War In History 20.1 (2013): 7-31. Military & Government Collection. Web. 19 May 2013. Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013. Print. Murray, Williamson. "Rome 's Big Ideas." Military History 27.4 (2010): 62-68. Military & Government Collection. Web. 19 May 2013. "Palestine." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 19 May. 2013. "Roman Roads." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2013): 1. Literary Reference Center. Web. 19 May 2013. Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. Ryrie Study Bible: New International Version. Chicago: Moody, 1994. Print