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PI📚"Warriors of Rome"📚
Hastati, Principes, Triarii: Divided into these three groups, the infantry of the Roman Republic engaged in melee combat. Besides age and experience, wealth was a decisive factor for the belonging to each group. Armed with Pila (javelins), Gladius (sword) and Scutum (shield), Hastati and Principes were the main part of each Republican legion. The Triarii were the most experienced and best equipped and usually took action when the battle was on the edge of being lost. At first, the men were usually recruited for campaigns during the summer, but battles in distant places and long wars slowly led to the transition into a standing army. The men didn't have to buy their own equipment anymore, Rome established a professional army.
These legionaries would play a decisive role in the civil wars and transition from Republic to Empire towards the establishment of Augustus' rule. The first Roman Emperor embraced discipline, as the ancient writer Suetonius describes: "If any cohorts gave way in battle, he decimated them, and fed the rest on barley. When centurions left their posts, he punished them with death, just as he did the rank and file; [...]" (Suet. Aug. 24). Still, the legionaries fought with two Pila, Gladius and Scutum. In terms of armour, different types of helmets were worn, as well as for example the Lorica Hamata chainmal and Lorica Segmentata metal stripe armour. During the early days of the Empire, this army was mainly used to conquer; but over time, defense became more important.
Civil wars, weak emperors and an increasingly difficult situation on most frontiers were only some of the many factors which brought change upon the Roman army. More and more auxiliaries and mercenaries were recruited, while the task of the main army was a defensive one. Comitatenses would be a kind of fire bregade, rushing to aid parts of the frontiers which were in distress. Heavy armour, spear and sword gave them the necessary power to meet most enemies.
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