The Influence Of Roman Military Strategies

There have been many military strategies over the many years the earth has existed. Some have worked other not so much, but one of the most effective military strategies ever, came from one of the mightiest empires, the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire existed over hundreds and hundreds of years. The Roman Empire adapted their military strategies and when most of the Roman Empire fell, even changed them completely. When the Roman Republic first came to be the tactics were heavily influenced by the Greek Army. This formation that they used was called the phalanx. This was very successful and helped Greek become one of the most successful armies. This formation is when the soldiers stand side by side in ranks. Just before they would attack the
Thus, the Roman Army adapted and created a new system with infantry organized into four groups: velites, hastati, principes, and triarii. First, the velites were inexperienced and young soldiers. These soldiers were at the front and their task was to make the early attacks on the enemy. When they retreat, they pass through the ranks and went to the back. The next rank was called the hastati when they were 35 meters away from the enemy they threw their javelins. Drawing their swords, they then charged the enemy. The rest of the army would now be throwing their javelins over the heads of the advancing hastati. If they were unsuccessful they would withdraw and re-form behind the rest of the army. The principes were the best of the best of the Roman Soldiers. Now that the soldiers were worn down they would be no match for the fresh and experienced soldiers. Although, sometimes they were unsuccessful and this would bring the last group up. The last was the triarii that would then attack
Their engineers found out how to develop devices that could throw javelins and stones long distances. There were three main devise which were the catapult, ballista, and the onager. If the enemy continued to fight, they had various ways to break through the walls. Most of the towns had defensive ditches that would surround the walls. So, the Romans would send people to fill them in. While this was going on the others would use mantlets to protect them. To distract them, Roman archers would be wheeled close to the walls in a large wooden tower. Next, after the ditches had been filled they would use rams to try and break down the walls. The end of the rams they used was iron in the shape of a rams head. The rest of the ram was a large wooden beam. The rams head would be constantly ramming the wall until a hole was made. Now that there was a hole in the wall the soldiers could attempt to get through it. They would put their shields above their heads and it would protect them from attacks above. The siege towers would also be used to get men inside because they had fixed