[Teaser] TRUE SIZE: The Roman Imperial Legion

NEW SERIES LAUNCH: TRUE SIZE

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Intro

The Roman legions are impressive for their historical achievements but rarely do we stop to properly understand their nature at a fundamental level. How were they organized? What was their leadership structure? How large was their logistics train? What was their frontage in battle? Today let’s explore the True Size of a Legion of the Roman Empire.

Legionary - Definition

The foundation for the Roman legion was the legionary. These soldiers were Roman citizens who were drawn from across the general population. Potential recruits had to meet certain criteria and pass a series of tests. According to Vegetius the ideal candidate was a rural man from a temperate climate who stood about 6 roman feet tall. Upon taking their oath and undergoing 4 months of training they would be ready to join the legions for battle.

Contubernium - Definition

Whilst in service each soldier would be assigned to a group of tent mates known as the Contubernium. While there is some debate, most academics agree that it consisted of 8 legionaries in addition to 1-2 military slaves, 1-2 mules depending on supply needs, a millstone, and a standard A-frame tent. It is with this Contubernium that a legionary would spend most of his time. This brotherhood was so ironclad that the term contubernalis emerged in the Latin vernacular as a term for comradery.

Contubernium - Vignette 1

When the legion encamped, each Contubernium functioned as its own self-sustaining unit. For instance while the slaves pitched the tent, the younger legionaries might be sent to fetch fodder and firewood for the campsite as others prepared food. Grinding the grain ration in particular was a labor intensive task which occurred every night. This grain was most often used for bread, biscuits, and porridge which served as the staple for the average legionary’s diet that was further supplemented by salted meat, vegetables, cheese, wine, and olive oil. When not performing essential duties, the members of a contubernium would make the most of their off time. This included things like gaming, gambling, and relaxing.

Contubernium - Vignette 2

When it came time to move, a Contubernium’s gear would be efficiently loaded for transport. Each soldier carried roughly 20 kg of arms and armor in addition to their entrenching tools, bedroll, rations, and personal items. The heavier gear such as the tent, stakes, mill stone, and various other items would be loaded onto the unit’s mule.

Century - Definition

Yet while the contubernium was self-sustaining in a day-to-day sense it was not a functional military unit that could hold its own in battle. For this purpose 10 Contubernia would be grouped together into a Century for a combined total of 80 legionaries, 10-20 slaves, 10-20 mules and 11 tents. In keeping with its battlefield role, the Century was assigned a series of officers. The Centurion was the commanding officer, the Optio was his second in command, the Tesserarius was third in command and watchman, the Signifer was the Standard Bearer, and the Cornicularius was the trumpeter. These men in turn had their own support staff, mules, tents, and other belongings.