What were Rome's legions called?

Answer 1

A Roman Legion during the Empire era consisted of roughly 5,000 men at full strength, though they were only rarely at this level. Legionaries had very effective weapons and armor, making them strong. [To find names of parts of armor and weapons, Google "Roman Armor/Weapons".]

A Somewhat More Detailed Answer:

During the Kingdom of Rome, the earliest known phase of Roman history, the legion did not exist, although its foundations were present. Soldiers were called up and grouped into units of 100, called centuries, as needed. These soldiers were armed in an almost identical fashion to the phalangites of Greece. The century became the foundation unit of the legion in later times. The Legions were first formed during the Republican period, and continued on through the Empire. Each legion had a unique symbol and name. The names of about 50 are known to modern historians, but there were hundreds of legions. Some of them had great reputations as elite forces, unbreakable and unbeatable. Others had bad reputations. One of the most famous was Julius Caesar's legendary Legio X Equestris (10th legion 'mounted', known as the Tenth Legion) famous for its ability in battle and its unswerving loyalty to Caesar.

A Roman Legion was the main fighting force of the Republic and later Empire of Rome. When the Roman legions reached their most recognisable form, after the Reforms of Marius, it was a formidably well organised, competent and effective fighting force. No European army from the fall of Western Rome to at least the 17th Century would rival the legions for organisation both on the battlefield and at higher levels. It was often this organisation that gave the legions their edge over almost every opponent, rather than bravery or weapons skill. The legions fought as a coordinated body, as a group and not as individuals. In situations that prevented the legions from operating in the usual smooth, coordinated fashions it could be and often was defeated.

A legion was one unit of the overall Roman army. Rome wielded many of them and numbers fluctuated, although growing as the Republic/Empire expanded. Each legion was commanded by a Legate, who had a system of officers under him to govern its component parts. During the Republic, the Legate was usually a Senator, chosen by the Senate, and sometimes a Consul. During the Empire, the Emperors would simply appoint them. Although the heart of every legion was the citizen infantry, the famous legionaries, a legion was actually a complete army including cavalry, artillery and a supply train. Each legion was capable of operating independently, although they could be used in groups. Auxiliary units of non-citizens supported the legions, consisting of light and ranged infantry and cavalry.

Discipline was severe in the legions, and any man who broke the rules could expect anything from extra camp duties to flogging or execution. For example, any unit that fled from the enemy could expect to be decimated - that is, 1 man in every 10 would be killed, often by his comrades. In some legions, the legionaries probably feared their commanders more than the enemy! On the other hand, the rewards were good. At the beginning, it was a mark of status to serve. Later, the pay was reasonable and completion of the term of service (25 years) would bring a gift of land somewhere in the empire and, eventually, Roman citizenship - in ancient Rome, this last was sometimes the biggest incentive of all. Soldiers were also entitled to a percentage of profits from the sale of slaves and loot, and sometimes this could amount to small fortunes - particularly on campaign in the wealthy Middle East. From around 100 BC the legions followed an eagle standard and another one, unique to each legion, into battle, and would die to keep them safe. The standards were the heart of the legion, and would be decorated with medals of service and commendations the legion had won. It's loss was a humiliation and disaster. It was viewed as unlucky and a sign of divine disfavour, and some legions that lost their standards would even be disbanded, although this was often also because losses had been so heavy the legion was no longer able to engage in combat.

In the later phases of the Empire, the legions became a powerful political force. On multiple occasions, Emperors rose to power (or fell from it) as they gained or lost the support of the legions. Gradually, the quality of the legions and their commanders was degraded for many reasons, and in the end were no longer capable of protecting even the Eternal City, Rome itself. Even after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the legions continued in service of the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Emperor. In the 7th Century A.D. Byzantine Emperor Heraclius reformed the army and the legions disappeared at last, leaving behind a centuries-old record of superb ability and influence.

Answer 2

The legions were army corps. An whole army had several legions. The legions were made up of 9 cohorts. Cohorts 2 to 10 had 6 centuries (centuria) with 80 men. The 1st cohort had elite soldiers and had 5 double strength centuries. This made 59 centuries and 5,120 infantrymen. The number of soldiers actually varied as the size of the deployed legions varied according to circumstances. The smallest unit of the legion was the conternubium, which was like a platoon, it had 8 men who shared a tent.

Each legion also had a 120 man alae (cavalry unit) called Eques Legionis permanently attached to it, possibly to be used as scouts and messengers.

I suspect the question refers to the Latin root of the organization in question.

Legio, the origin of the wordlegion meant selection, chosen body. I have to assume the question meant "what does legions mean in Latin?

Answer 3

Most of the Roman legions were formed in the Late Republic and most of them were created by Pompey the great, Julius Caesar and Augustus. The names of these legions were:

Legio I Germanica (German, 48 BC, after the Batavian rebellion, 70 AD, it remnants were added to the VII Gemina) Legio II Sabina (Sabine, 49 BC disbanded by Augustus between 30 BC and 14 AD, some of its soldiers might have been seconded to the II Augusta) Legio II Augusta (Augustan, 43 BC 4th century AD) Legio III Augusta (43 BC-4th century AD) Legio III Cyrenaica (Cyrenaican, 36 BC to at least the 5th century AD) Legio III Gallica (Gallic, 49 BC to at least the early 4th century AD), Legio IV Macedonica (Macedonian, 48 BC-70 AD) Legio IV Scythica (Scythian, 42 BC to at least the 5th century AD) Legio V Alaudae (Larks, 52 BC-70 AD), Legio VI Ferrata (Ironclad, 25BC to after 250) Legio VI Victrix (Victorious, 41 BC to after 402 AD) Legio VII Claudia Pia Fidelis (Loyal Claudian, 65 BC- disbanded and re-formed by Vespasian as Legio VII Gemina?) Legio VIII Augusta (Augustan, 65 BC-420s AD?) Legio IX Hispana Triumphalis (Triumphant Spanish, 59 BC-?) Legio X Equestris (Mounted, 61 BC, the first legion levies by Caesar personally and his most trusted one; disbanded in 45 BC, reconstituted and later merged into the X Gemina (Twin, 58 BC-5th century AD) Legio X Fretensis (Of the sea strait, 40 BC-410s AD) Legio XI (58 BC-45 BC reconstituted as XI Claudia Fidelis, Loyal Claudian, in 42 BC-5th century) Legio XII Antiqua (Old , renamed Victrix in 45 BC, reconstituted in 43 BC, later it came to be called commonly, incorrectly, Fulminata ,armed with lighting , because its emblem was a thunderbolt , flumen -5th century AD) Legio XIII Gemina (Twin, 57 BC-5th century BC) XIV Gemina (Twin, 41 BC-5th century AD) Legio XV Apollinaris (Apollonian, 41 BC-5th century AD) XVI Gallica (Gallic, 41 BC-70 AD) Legio XVII, LegioXVIII and Legio XIX (41- BC-9AD) Legio XVIII Libyca (Libyan, disbanded in 31 BC) Legio XIX (41 BC-9 AD) XX Valeria Victrix (Victorious Valerian, 41 BC- 3rd century BC) XXI Rapax (Predator, 31 BC-92 AD) and Legio XXII Deiotariana (Deiotaran, named after Deiotarus, a Celtic king, 48 BC-135 BC)

The names of later Roman legions were:

I Adiutrix (Rescuer) I Italica (Italian) I Macriana Liberatrix (named after its founder, Macer, Liberator) I Minervia (of goddess Minerva) I Parthica(Parthian) II Adiutrix (Rescuer) II Italica (Italian) II Parthica (Parthian) II Traiana Fortis (Valiant Trajanic) III Italica (Italian) III Parthica(Parthian) IV Flavia Felix (Blessed Flavian) VI Hispana (Spanish) VII Gemina (Twin) XV Primigenia(Firstborn), XVI Flavia Firma (Steadfast Flavian) XXII Primigenia (of the goddess Fortuna Primigenia-Firstborn) and XXX Ulpia Victrix (Victorious Ulpian, the Ulpia were Trajan's clan).

Answer 4

A Roman legion was the largest unit of the Roman army. It was headed by a military man called a legate or "legatus", who was aided by military tribunes, who in turn were aided by centurions. A centurion had an assistant called an "optio". Under the optio were the ordinary rank and file soldiers. There was also a cavalry unit attached to each legion and at times auxiliaries of foreign troops. The foreign recruits were all commanded by Roman officers.

Answer 5

The Roman armies were called legions. These were military units that often had as many as 5,000 soldiers. The legions were successful in expanding the power of Rome and also important to Rome in its defenses. The Roman legion was an excellent and well trained force. The manner in which it was organized to battle various enemies of Rome were a wonder in its time of ancient wars.

Answer 6

The legion was an army corps. The Roman armies was comprised several legions.

Answer 7

The legion was the primary unit of the Roman army.

Answer 8

The Roman legions were made up of Roman citizens. The job was to protect the city of Rome and its citizens. They were part of the Imperial Army. They provided cavalry units to the army.