How the Roman Legionary evolved in the Republic.
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- Опубліковано 15 тра 2024
- How Roman Legionaries Evolved from a Militia to Professional Soldiers?
From Militia to Professional (Arms, Amor & Tactics)
The history and evolution of the Roman infantryman. This video covers roman infantry developments from the earliest Roman hybrid hoplite armies, through the manipular armies used in the punic wars, till the the reforms of Gaius Marius.
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False, Velites stood there and stared at the enemy, refusing to throw even a single javelin, before turning to run just as the enemy heavy infantry swarmed them and slaughtered them to a man.
Source: 100+ hours in Total War Rome II
Good video!
nothing beats skirmish mode deciding to just not work at the worst possible moment in battle
Yes this has been documented many times especially during the 2013 roman army. The 2015 and 2016 roman armies were much better.
@@charlihamilton4379 stop using skirmish its complete asz
The Virgin RTW2 Velites vs the Chad RTW Velites
ahh you speak the language of gods
Portraying the visuals as graffiti on the walls was a great touch and takes me back to HBO’s Rome
That was an awesome show
That show was amazing, too bad it got canceled cos it was so expensive lol. Graffiti and painted walls was super common in rome irl too
@@m33tballa and you can still see them in Pompeii :)
Roman logistics and supply chain, very underrated.
All logistics and supply chains are very underrated.
You should check out Real Engineering’s series on the Logistics of D-Day.
In general the infrastructure of successful civilizations is often underrated. One needs to be able to keep the controlled people happy and functional
And manpower.
I’m going to Rome next month and I’m so excited to study Roman history
unfortunately you will see little of the republican period, although the "Cloaca Maximus" dates back to 600 BCE. Yes, beware criminals who rome the streets of Rome, stealing off tourists.
@Ashton Brumit That is awesome Ashton! Study up now before you go, it will make your trip way better :) Have a good trip!
@Layne Staley Well if you think the Vatican is not a sovereign entity, then come and take it.
@Layne Staley thats racist
@@kafon6368 can we take back the money the church stole over the years? besides burning the fucking place down
Other tribes: "I made this."
Rome: "You made this?"
also Rome: "I made this."
Wow! Roman Republic AND Epimetheus?! Two of my favorite things!
:D I love how familiar yet unknown the Republican Roman culture/aesthetic always seems.
I love the detail of the big rocks on the streets used to jump from one sidewalk to another and avoid all the waste on the streets. Perfect video!
:D I spent wayy too much time drawing that...I am happy you loved it!
@@EpimetheusHistory I thought it was absolutely worth it. The shifting "Roman street" backdrop was really nice!
I think it was for blocking wagons to enter that specific street
Like nowadays italians pedonal streets
You can still see those stones in the streets of Pompeii.
I always kinda find it funny when armies adopt their enemy's weapons it's like " Hey see how painfully Cabernicus died from that sword wound? We should use that!"
Great video Epimetheus, your art work keeps getting better and better as well. I love the details with the helmets, most of the time you tend to see just one or two different types in movies.
Yup, love how practical that way of thinking is
@@EpimetheusHistory it really is thats why the Roman empire did as well as they did
@@cainer_exe late reply, but I can guarantee you that wasn't a Roman thing. More or less every army would've done that, you find a powerful new technology/weapon and of course you're gonna use it.
I did a report on the Manipular legions in University, so it's a joy to see a video by you on them! :)
Glad you enjoyed it @Random Byzantine Guard
Your drawings are so historically accurate I love it
Thank you
You're back! Thank God!
BBC and American Historian: "So do you mean a Roman wasn't born wearing a Lorica Segmentata in 270BC?!"
Nope, gotta wait till 230-220 B.C
I believe this is because costuming is cheaper when you don't have to make anything new.
Imagine if modern nations put the upper class citizens of its country front and center during battles.
We could actually achieve world peace.
They still do the poor and under educated have a harder time becoming officers or jet pilots. So the upper class tends to lead while the lower classes fill out ranks. Simply due to how complex modern war is.
Maybe the young upperclass are regular people like us and dot derserved to be demonized
@Jonny B war back then is a different thing as it is today. It's like comparing chalk and cheese.
@@nulolove yeah, but then again, most of us don't benefit from war too much. Think about it, one POTUS became a CIA stooge and got a free education at Oxford, and another mysteriously developed bone spurs. Meanwhile, 50 thousand young men came home in boxes while the scars of that war are visible in the eyes of those who lived through it, be it civilian or soldier.
they do its just harder to interpret. The wealthy are pilots.
Do a video on how the Greeks saw Rome when the Hellenistic world was conquered by Rome.
This. For long, we have known the romans were hellenophiles, but we don't know as much about the greek perspective. Soon enough, however, the greeks would also become romanophiles, to the point they used they used the ethnonym for themselves...
@@MrAlepedroza The history of Roman identity in the Byzantine Empire is a complicated one. They were well aware of their Hellenic roots (talking about "Byzantine" Greeks following the loss of most non-Greek speaking provinces to various invaders), yet continued to cling onto the legacy of Rome and its imperial prestige. They were engaged in a bitter rivalry with the barbaric, schismatic "Latins", whereas to be a good Roman meant to be a faithful Orthodox Christian and to speak proper "romaic" Greek as though the Romans weren't originally Latin speakers themselves. Speaking of, I wonder what they thought of the fact the Empire was originally a Latin polity, and whether they thought of classical Latin at the very least as a prestigious legacy language.
Don't get me wrong, they qualify as Romans in my book. But I'm not sure the common folk understood "Roman" like we do and whether they even knew the first thing about the Republic and so on.
@@rufusfauxnom5737 The East/West schism was not a thing until the 11th century, though. Not sure if, as you claim, they really claimed the only proper romaic language was greek. If they considered the western european nations to be inferior culturally, at least during the "Dark Ages period", that's a different thing. They also had their reasons to resent the pope and the Holy German emperors, since the former was the one who initiate the rivalry by not recognizing Irene as a legit emperor and instead crowning Charlemagne just because the latter had balls instead of tits.
Not sure if the ancient roman plebeians of the late second century onwards were that aware about the Republican period, since education was not very widespread. I doubt most of them could have recognized Cicero or the Gracchi brothers.
@@MrAlepedroza But it was the culmination of a drifting process that began much earlier, at the latest with the loss of most of Italy to the Lombards, arguably as early as 395 when the Roman Empire was divided. And yes the Byzantine view of Western Europe was very much a prideful and scornful one, particularly after the Pope pulled his little stunt with Charlemagne. I think the Byzantines were justified in viewing their Empire as the continuation of the Roman Empire, but their sense of romanity involved a fair bit of cognitive dissonance with regards to the Empire's Latin origins, and their (generally mutual) disdain for their Western counterparts - be they "Franks" or "Latins" or otherwise. Again, while they absolutely did consider themselves the political heirs of Ancient Rome and unquestionably called themselves Romans, the Byzantine attitude towards foreigners and all things non-Greek was at best one of indifference, generally one of contempt. It's not that they were Greeks deliberately coopting the name and legacy of Rome to turn Byzantium into a Greek ethnostate, although a few Byzantine scholars did advocate for a full-blown revival of an actual Hellenic identity towards the end - but they certainly regarded their Greek culture as superior to that of their Western contemporaries.
To be perfectly fair, I'm not quite sure what their opinion of classical Latin was - Byzantine literature largely and conveniently just continues the Roman trend of writing stuff in Attic or Koine Greek, so it's not like they went out of their way to stamp out old classics in the Latin language... but on the whole only bits and pieces of Latin were retained, particularly in the legal system or in the military. As far as the vernacular is concerned you certainly had to be a Greek-speaking, God-fearing Christian subject of the Emperor to be a good Ρωμαίος - not necessarily in the eyes of the law since the definition of "Roman" officially remained a statist one, but at least in practice.
Keep in mind this mostly applies to the Middle Byzantine Period onwards. Early on when the Empire (and most importantly its citizenry) still encompassed a large number of different ethnic groups things were a lot less clear cut obviously.
Fun fact: the word "plebs" comes from Latin "implere" (to fill up) and was given to those who were poor and could only afford cheap equipment. They were only used to fill up the ranks, if it was necessary
Makes sense, considering that the word for their aristocratic class comes from word for horsemen.
@@MrDUneven equites, right?
9:54
"And it probably just looked cool"
Yes. Yes it does.
My question is this though did they hunt the wolf and wear it as a trophy or were such items simply passed around though trade, I don’t think every single vellite would wear them otherwise wolfs would probably be extinct
@@baldrickthedungspreader3107 There were a lot more forests and wolves back in their times, and I'm guessing that, since it wasn't a particularely refined product, most of those pelts were acquired through trade. It had the double function of both making you recognizable on the battlefield and keeping you warm at night or in cold environments, so it sounds like a cheap but important investement even for a poor citizen.
I don't think that every velite had it too, but it was common enough that people would think "Damn I have to serve as a velite this year, better buy some wolf pelt".
This is still by far one the most interesting and well done depictions of Replica Era troops. Men who’s actions changed the world.
Thank you, one of the top videos I spent the most time doing drawings for....always happy to see someone appreciate this one :)
I already knew most of this but this was a really great review. This is one of the best videos I've seen on the roman early military. The drawings are excellent as well.
Thanks Peter! It is a great subject worth revisiting. Glad you liked the drawings, Republican Romans are some of my favorite to draw :)
Epimetheus you have an uncanny ability to always create a video right as soon as I start to get curious about the subject, as always both the art and the information you give is greatly detailed :)
It's too bad there isn't much info out there on the Samnites. They were Rome's most stubborn opponents and they didn't really go under until the Battle of the Colline Gate in 82 BC. That's tough! A detailed video on the Social War (91-87 BC) would be terrific!
Awesome!! Another video after a long time. I love your work man.😁😁
Thanks Trishit! Glad you like it
You got the best videos on UA-cam man
Thanks Derek!
No one:
Rome after realizing that the manipular legion is now obsolete: “I’ve won, but at what costs?”
Funnily enough I'm currently reading Plutarch's fall of the Roman Republic
Currently reading Plato’s The Republic as well. Weird, yeah?
The quality of the videos you are putting out is consistently getting better and better man. I loved the way you used the walls and other surfaces of the background as like a pseudo screen to display maps and information. Excellent work!
Thanks!
I'm so glad you posted another video, I've been looking forward to another one
Interesting, I didn't realize that chain mail existed this far back into military history.
Its cheap and provides great armor vs barbarians.
@@hagnartheviking6584 It was by no means "cheap".
@@paprskomet compared to the plate armor of later legions and and other forms of metal armor like the coat of plates in the 13 cent yea it is. Granted its like calling a ww2 tank cheap comparing it a modern main battle tank.
Any reports of it existing prior to the Gauls? Maybe they received knowledge about it from another group. If so likely lost to history.
@@aleksander8497 As far as I know, general consensus is that the Gauls invented it. No records of it before Celtic times
The work you put into this really shows, there's a considerable improvement in production. Nice work.
The shiny SPQR was especially fancy :)
Your channel is very informative and creative which makes it so enjoyable to watch. Well done my friend!
I was wondering if you will make a video explaining Georgian history in the future? History about countries in the Caucasus mountains is very underrated in my opinion.
Congratulations, Epimetheus - you advanced the already much appreciated quality of your videos even further. Also it seems your vocal skills ameliorated.
The Roman Legion what all armies wish to copy but few can ever pull off not only the armor, weapons, building prowess, tactics or even the men used in them as soldiers but their ability too adapt that made them a true threat for any nation they faced
Roman empire is what every one wishs to copy but few could pull off. :p
Glad you're back!! Love the presentation style you used here.
More Rome videos please!
Your use of a Roman street as a background was a stroke of genius. You put it to good use during your detailed presentation! Thank you!
This channel consistently puts out such good content, keep it up!
Informative, superb and very interesting video, love the graffitis, nice touch!
Great video! I don't know with every video you make the quality improves drastically, from great to even greater!
Great video, very good design and a perfect description👏
Heck yeah! Great video, chief. Beautiful artwork. Nice individual touches on the troopers. Thank you for this joy.
Nice touch using the wall as a map. Great work as always!
Those backgrounds are great. They add quite a lot to the presentation.
Loved the whole vid, awesome as always!
Thanks for a very well made video and very interesting one as well. Good work!
Perfect attention to detail, I enjoyed your video very much
I LOVE this Art Style, it's sooo amazing. Thank you for making these Videos
The early roman armies had it easy. they can concentrate their forces during offensives. The later armies had a hard time trying to plug every gap making it harder to concentrate forces.
great video on the subject! The manipular system is so fascinating given what would follow.
I think so too!
Wow the art in this video is awesome! So detailed!
Outstanding! Extremely well done and highly informative. Your videos are always so well done and full of so much good knowledge on cool topics. Please keep the outstanding videos coming and God bless you, my friend!
ee an excellent video on a Roman Coup d'etat involving Eublepharis Macularius---------- ua-cam.com/video/V1Q6VcMsmS8/v-deo.html
I love your soothing voice teaching me all about the coolest history.
ee an excellent video on a Roman Coup d'etat involving Eublepharis Macularius---------- ua-cam.com/video/V1Q6VcMsmS8/v-deo.html
I really like your videos, thank you for the upload!
I fricken LOVE this vid, such detail. THANK YOU from Eire!!!
CRAZY GOOD!!! Well done!!!
Great video. This is a fantastic channel.
An army composition/ history of the Seleucids would be so dope
I am so Impressed, Kudos! Very encouraging to see Historical Fact and Details rather than the more widely used fluff & repetitive filler. Well Organized And Presented also, Especially your Artwork and accurate time-lines. Subscribed. I’m sure I will enjoy any future topics too. God Bless!
Great work yet again man.. Keep it up :)
ee an excellent video on a Roman Coup d'etat involving Eublepharis Macularius---------- ua-cam.com/video/V1Q6VcMsmS8/v-deo.html
AMAZING VIDEO I appreciate your work!
Thank you David! I am glad you enjoyed it :)
Awesome video, please do a video about the recruitment and life of a Roman auxiliary soldier.
Another great video. Congratulations. It is amazing how well documented Roman history is. I sell the attention you paid to the details, it just makes me with the movies and series
. I think the first thing that producers think about when they're going to do something is, where can we use leather? The first thing they already think about is putting something on their forearms. It is easier to see a warrior wearing a leather bracelet than a helmet.
They put the legionaries using a kind of leather "lorica segmentada". Or, as in the movie Gladiator, which the armor does not circulate the entire torso, only the front and back.
You even mention in the video that it was the Celts who created the chainmail. There in the films they are represented wearing leather from neck to toe. Because no one wears helmets. They wear those animal skins with their fur still on. And a layer of leather as protection, sometimes even thin, other times with bits of metal here and there, I don't know why.
One question, I see a lot in the films and series the officers (not the centurions), commanders and the emperor. Using a kind of muscle courace made of leather. Is that history accuracy?
Great content, very underrated.
10:06 I love that animation, it's very informative!
:D Thanks
Fantastic video. Thank you.
Yes, another video! Love your vids keep em up
ee an excellent video on a Roman Coup d'etat involving Eublepharis Macularius---------- ua-cam.com/video/V1Q6VcMsmS8/v-deo.html
This channel is a gift
Great work ! Really informative !
ee an excellent video on a Roman Coup d'etat involving Eublepharis Macularius---------- ua-cam.com/video/V1Q6VcMsmS8/v-deo.html
Damn this video had been a pleasure to watch and so much interesting to listen to. As Roman, I gotta thank you for such a complete and precise work! Really love you kind of work! 💪😉
You are a very good Illustrator!
Another excellent video! Your visual presentation and attention to detail keeps improving. I especially like the addition and incorporation of the background view of a street and graffiti on a wall as a narrative device.
Only criticism I have is a nitpick on the pronounciation of "principes". In latin C always makes a "K" sound and never an "S" or "ch"(as in cha cha cha), even if followed by an H. A good memory aid is the english pronounciation of the word "character", where "ch" makes a slightly aspirated "kh" and c makes a regular "k". Otherwise your pronounciation of words like velites and hastati is very nice.
Looking forward to the next video!
Really loved the idea of presenting the information as a sort of graffitti on the walls!
Absolutely fascinating loved it.
What a Rome-antic city. It’s impossible to _ruin_ the view of the Colisseum
Awesome video man
ee an excellent video on a Roman Coup d'etat involving Eublepharis Macularius---------- ua-cam.com/video/V1Q6VcMsmS8/v-deo.html
Wonderful video!
I'm glad you're back my friend for more Roman history because I love Roman history me and my Uncle Bubba loves Roman history
Amazing channel and top notch content? Sir you are amazing!
To a modern ear the property requirements might sound like a get out of jail free card. What if it were instead viewed as a barrier to entry? Can you imagine the conversations in a tavern, or emporium. Trading war stories, someone bragging about being a hastati, someone else calling them a liar saying they couldn't even afford to be in the army.
Nice video. Nice Job.
Very informative thank you
I always thought the poorest would be in the Legion
I really do love the video and the content but I can't get over how you pronounce Principes :P small detail, but I love your videos! keep it up!
Amazing video and the illustration is on a whole new level. What software did you use?
Excellent vid
Cool video 😀 love the art style, btw at 2:25 was the circular bread inspired by that video floating around on youtube that was uncovered in an oven pompeii?
It's nice to see someone talk about the velites since most don't bother.
Enjoyed!
Love the art !!
What a great vid !!!!!!!!!!!
Great video, excellent explanation of the orgins of the early Roman Tribes, developing into a juggernaut Republic. Thanks for your skill and explanation.
You sir are a subject matter expert.
Pax Roma Espirit Semper Flavia Victoria
What the fudge! The shield is 10 kilogram? That's insane.
Good video.
Next video idea please:
From Late Republic legionary infantrymen of Caesar and Octavian's times to Hadrian's own as it evolved in equipment and tactics... how the legions went from chainmail of Marian's reforms mostly, to the middle period of the Roman Empire during its height with Lorica Segmentata and how all parts of the army performed.
Next After: From Hadrian's legions after Trajan to Aurelian who came before Diocletian.
I love the history of Rome
Me too
most interesting civilization
@@GooseGumlizzard hello
Well done.
Fantastic video.
ee an excellent video on a Roman Coup d'etat involving Eublepharis Macularius---------- ua-cam.com/video/V1Q6VcMsmS8/v-deo.html
I appreciate how you pronounce "velites"! Probably the way Latin was pronounced during the time that velites were a thing.
Samnite tunic and armor looks soo cool
I agree :)
@@EpimetheusHistory Whoa! The brother of Prometheus has noticed my comment! :O
Providing weapons and armor from the State, removing minimum property requirements, and making it profitable, if only you survived 20 plus years, were huge improvements which swelled the ranks. From landless to landowner if you survived the career of a soldier was a commoners best bet in those days.
Good Video.
I literally just got my copy of Republican Roman Army from Osprey's Men-At-Arms series today. This rules
That is one of the books I read for this video, great book! "Greece and Rome at war" by peter connolly is another really good book for this period.
Great video as always. The only minor criticism would be pronounciation of principes (as almost all youtubers do). "c" in principes should be pronounced like in Caesar, Cao Cao or Sicilia. Pronouncing it like "Ch" in Chihuahua is modern Italian version, not latin. Otherwise you are in all videos surprisingly good at tackling foreign names. Keep up the good work.
Very enjoyable, thanks! One thing I’ve always wondered is did any of these ancient fighters ever worry about protecting their feet? Their footwear seems to leave them pretty exposed to injury, but I suppose it just wasn’t a major concern; 1. an arrow to the foot or smashed toes are not life threatening? 2. maybe an enemy would not concentrate on hitting an opponent’s foot since they need to concentrate on blocking counterstrikes? or 3. the shield and position of the feet under it blocks most errant attacks if they are attempted?