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Initial
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Things a
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Initial
Training: Things a
new soldier must learn:
Before a young soldier could
be taught all of the basic training fundamentals there were
certain things he had to know how to do. One of the first
things a soldier had to learn was the military step. This
could only be learned through many practice marches. Ranks
who kept their exactness and correct form were in the least
danger of being defeated. A young soldier also had to
practice running so that he could advance on the enemy with
the greatest speed possible and overtake them when on
pursuit. Leaping was the third part of initial training that
a soldier had to learn. Leaping helped a soldier to cross
ditches or scale difficult objects without any trouble. A
young soldier who learned how to do these parts of initial
training to the best of his ability was able to strike
terror in the enemy and had the greatest advantage over
them.
Every young soldier had to learn how to swim as part of his training. Being able to swim was sometimes necessary because bridges were uncrossable when the rivers flooded due to a sudden rain or melting of snow. The danger was just as great from the enemy as from not being able to swim. Practice exercises in swimming not only taught swimming fundamentals but also allowed the soldiers to wash and refresh themselves. Not only did infantry have to know how to swim but cavalry, horses and servants as well. The reason for this was that they all may have needed the knowledge at some point later on. Return
Roman soldiers practiced sword combat with wooden swords that were twice as heavy as common ones. The reason for this was that when they started to carry the common swords they were much lighter and this helped them to act with greater precision and force at times of action. A soldier was taught to practice with both the sword and shield. He was also taught the proper way to advance, retire, and take every advantage of his opponent. Most importantly he was warned not to "lay himself open to his antagonist while aiming his stroke at him." (Vegetius, p.20) A roman soldier was also trained in certain sword maneuvers such as not to cut with the sword but to thrust instead. This type of fighting enabled the Romans to easily defeat their enemies who cut with their swords instead of stabbing. The Romans' logic on this manner of sword fighting was that a hit with the edge of the sword rarely killed whereas a sharp stab will almost always be fatal. Another reason they fought this way was that when stabbing, the arm and side of the body are not exposed. However, when striking or cutting, the arm and side are exposed making the soldier more vulnerable to his enemy. Return
A young soldier was also taught the skills of using bow, sling, and javelin. A javelin is a light spear that is thrown by hand. When being trained in the use of javelin they were instructed to cast them with proper aim and force. The javelins used for practice were heavier than the common javelins used in battle. Javelins were extremely useful in battle and each soldier typically carried five of them in the hollow of his shield. About a third to a fourth of the youngest and fittest soldiers were also trained in the use of bows and arrows. When using the bow and arrow a soldier had to hold the bow in correct position, bend it with strength, keep the left hand steady and draw skillfully with the right. They also had to learn to direct attention and eye to an object and take aim with equal certainty while either on foot or horseback. These skills could only be acquired with daily practice. New soldiers were also taught how to throw stones by hand and with a sling. They were taught how to throw because the sling was not a burden to carry and it could be extremely useful in some battles. Stones were useful because they kill without mangling the body and the wound was fatal without loss of blood. All ancient armies, including the Romans, included slingers. Return
All soldiers, new and old had to be
trained in and practice vaulting. Wooden horses were used
for practice by soldiers both without and later with armor
on. This way in future battles soldiers could quickly mount
or dismount from their horses without their armor being in
the way. Another part of discipline and training for a
soldier was to accustom him to carrying burdens. New
soldiers frequently had to carry a weight of no less than
sixty pounds (without arms) and to march with it in the
ranks. The reason for this was that often on difficult
expeditions it would be necessary for soldiers to carry
provisions as well as arms. This was not hard for the
soldiers because they were used to carrying the weights from
practice. Return
Along with the basic training exercises that a soldier learned during training they also learned specific drills and formations. Some of these drills and formations were learned on foot and others were learned on horseback. New soldiers also had to be trained in how to build and fortify a camp. When a camp was built correctly the troops could spend both day and night safely inside it. Troops were trained in all types of weather, including winter. They were trained every day so that they would have no fear about fighting a battle in any type of weather condition. Taking a break from normal exercises in the winter could have had a bad effect on the soldiers' minds and bodies. A soldier's training in the Roman army required not only bravery and strength but also coordination, cunning and intelligence. Being in the Roman army was a big committment and training was a constant part of a soldier's life.
Bibliography:
Davies, Roy W. Service in the Roman Army. Columbia University Press, New York. 1989.
Vegetius. Translated by Lieutenant John Clark. The Military Institutions of the Romans. Greenwood Press, Westport, CT. 1985.
Lisa Rubin created this web page as an assignment for Classics 100 in the fall of 1998.