10 Fascinating Facts About The Ancient Roman Army

List Verse ^ | Sept. 4, 2016 | CRISTIAN VIOLATTI

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Rome’s all-conquering military machine holds a special place in our minds. Its efficiency and discipline made a small city on the Italian peninsula rule over most of the Western world, from the British Isles to the Near East and from the Rhine to North Africa. This list offers some interesting facts about the Roman army, some of which can explain part of its success and also its failures.

10 Seasonality And War

During the Romans’ early history, the logistical challenges of conducting a war meant that the Romans only fought between sowing and harvest (during the summer). Rome was an agriculture-based economy, and the movement of troops during winter was highly demanding.

According to Livy (History of Rome, 5.6), if a war was not over by the end of summer, “our soldiers must wait through the winter.” He also mentioned a curious way that many soldiers chose to spend the time during the long waiting: “The pleasure of hunting carries men off through snow and frost to the mountains and the woods.”

The first recorded continuation of war into the winter by the Romans took place in 396 BC during the siege of the Etruscan city of Veii.

[Made In The USA]

Just got back, that’s funny as heck! Thanks for the laugh.