How were Roman legions divided?

During much of the republican era, a legion was divided into three lines, each of ten maniples. In the late republic and much of the imperial period (from about 100 BC), a legion was divided into ten cohorts, each of six (or five) centuries. Legions also included a small ala, or cavalry unit.

How big was each Roman legion?

between 4,000 and 6,000 soldiers
To keep such a large number of men in order, it was divided up into groups called ‘legions’. Each legion had between 4,000 and 6,000 soldiers. A legion was further divided into groups of 80 men called ‘centuries’. The man in charge of a century was known as a ‘centurion’.

How many legions did Caesar have during the Civil War?

Prior to the war, Caesar had led an invasion of Gaul for almost ten years. A build-up of tensions starting in late 49 BC, with both Caesar and Pompey refusing to back down led, however, to the outbreak of civil war….

Caesar’s Civil War
Strength
Early 49 BC: 10 legions	Early 49 BC: 15 legions

How are legions organized?

The legion was subdivided into ten units called cohorts. The cohorts were subdivided into six centuries, of about 80 men each. Each century was commanded by a centurion. Each century also had a tesserarius, a signifer, a cornicen, and an optio.

How far could a Roman legion march in a day?

IIRC the Roman Army had hit its sweet spot at a 15-mile (~25km) march a day. They’d force march on occasion, but this was rarely before battle. They wanted their soldiers rested before battle.

What legions did Caesar command in Gaul?

Caesar had four veteran legions under his direct command initially: Legio VII, Legio VIII, Legio IX Hispana, and Legio X. As he had been governor of Hispania Ulterior in 61 BC and had campaigned successfully with them against the Lusitanians, Caesar knew most, perhaps even all, of the legions personally.

What were the different types of units in a Roman legion?

The types of units in a legion varied in each period of Rome’s history as the methods of warfare evolved over the centuries. Early on, the biggest focus was on the cavalry. Known in Rome as the Equites, the cavalry was considered the most prestigious and deadly of all units.

What was the Roman civil war all about?

The Great Roman Civil War (49–45 BC), also known as Caesar’s Civil War, was one of the last politico-military conflicts in the Roman Republic before the establishment of the Roman Empire. It began as a series of political and military confrontations, between Julius Caesar (100–44 BC), his political supporters…

How were heavy infantry classified in the Roman army?

Being the largest group in a legion, the heavy infantry was classed by experience. The triarii were the veterans and the most reliable and tested troops, reserved for extreme situations. The principes were the second line in the battle and had moderate experience.

When was the Roman legion founded?

Where possible, information has been provided on its foundation, permanent bases and battles/significant events that the particular legion was involved in. Probably 48 BC by Julius Caesar. Raised in Italia. Also possibly raised by the Consul Pansa in 43 BC to aid Octavian against Antonius.