Roman Military History

“Si vis pacem, para bellum ; If you want peace, prepare for war”

Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus

Throughout known history, civilization was constantly changing, improving and evolving, creating great works, civic projects and institutions. Some societies in history achieved greater advances than others, but none would match the greatness of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. With their histories intertwined, one is hard pressed to discuss one without mentioning the other. Indeed, much of Roman culture was greatly influenced by the Greeks, whose societies were eventually dominated by the Romans. Although drawing from aspects of Greek culture, the Romans would inevitably shape their society in ways that are distinctly Roman, and none more distinct than in their method of warfare.

Beginning with Greek hoplite warfare, we will see how the Romans adopted Greek principles of warfare and evolved their strategy in order to confront new and emerging challenges. From improving their tactics, making advancements in weaponry, to creating a standing army staffed by professional soldiers, we will see how Rome’s military evolved in ways the Greeks could not compete with, and would eventually succumb to. We will see the rise of the most lethal institution of Roman society, the Roman Army.

Ancient Greece has a long history dating back to around 3000 B.C.E, but it is with the beginning of the polis in the Hellenic age in approximately 800 B.C.E. that we see a more organized institution and form of government. With several poleis throughout the Greek world, each polis cultivated the surrounding countryside in order to provide food for their society. At times conflict would arise between different poleis over territorial disputes, and a battle would...

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... of it being influenced by one of the greatest military forces in history, the Roman war machine.

Works Cited

John Keegan, A History of Warfare (Vintage: Random House 1993

Xenophon, Hellenica IV.3.19

Carey, Allfree, Cairns, Warfare in the Ancient World (Pen and Sword Military 2005)

John Lazenby, Hoplites: The Classical Greek Battle Experience (London and New York: Routledge, 1991)

Lazenby, The Spartan Army (Stackpole 1985)

F.E. Adcock, The Roman Art of War under the Republic (New York: Barnes and Noble, 1960)

Gabriel, Metz, From Sumer to Rome: The Military Capabilities of Ancient Armies (Praeger 1991)

Livy, History of Rome XXXI.34.4

O’Connell, The Roman Killing Machine; Quarterly Journal of Military History (Autumn, 1988)

Keppie, Making of the Roman Army (‪University of Oklahoma Press‬, 1998)‬

Martin Van Creveld, Technology and War (Macmillan, Free Press, 1989)