I might be mistaken, but from what I've read I got the impression that at this mod's start date (275 BC) the Romans didn't yet have a standing army - they had the four legions (and would raise additional ones if the situation demanded it) but these were levied from the population as opposed to being long-term volunteers. If this is the case, the early army can probably be modelled in game with the existing MaA mechanics - they're trained troops and can be raised fairly quickly, but they're not yet permanent armies that can be stationed across the realm. From there it seems the legions with permanent stations that you're referring to would only emerge later in the game once the Romans have expanded beyond Italy and need to maintain permanent garrisons on their borders.
Those events would make sense, and definitely it would be good to tie it into a regional governor system which would then open up interesting possibilities such as legions becoming loyal to their commander instead of the republic, or a wealthy governor raising legions of their own without senatorial approval in order to pursue their ambitions.
You are correct. In 275 Rome had four standing legions, and could and would raise more as needed for each campaign. This continued until Gaius Marius reformed the legions (107BC) into permanent standing armies in addition to the four that were already permanent. Until the reforms a requirement ot be a legionaries was that you had to be a land owner. After the reformations this practice was abolished and soldiers could volunteer for a minimum term of six years and a fixed salary. These standing armies then became the core of Rome's military might, and conscription was used to replenish, replace, and form legions.
However at the same time, Marius' reformations and placement of regional 'governors' is what eventually allowed Julius Caesar to cross the Rubicon with an army of Legionaries that was loyal to him, not Rome as these 'governors' would raise legions without senate approval, and their placement far from Rome meant that such soldiers stationed under one person for such a long time would eventually become more loyal to one person than to the Republic. This is the reason most modern armies routinely replace commanders after a period of two-three years, and higher level officers are also routinely replaced and watched with greater oversight (Generals), although in times of crisis one commander is often selected to lead all forces (MacArthur in WWII) for the duration.\
I digress though, I'm not attempting to lecture a room full of students who only have a passing interest if at all in History, and thus won't bore you with the details of history and how Rome still influences the world at large even though both parts of the Empire have long since fallen. I will however, continue my mini-lecture on the history of the Roman Legions since I seem to have an audience interested.
Prior to 101BC more often than not, Rome would have it's allies (territories controlled by Rome, but not considered part of Rome, it's citizens were often not considered Rome prior to 101BC) form additional legions for their various Campaigns. In fact the Legions of the Late republic and early empire are often called Marian Legions because of his influence on the Roman military. One such reason is that after the battle of Vercellae in 101BC Marius granted all italian soldiers Roman Citizenship justifying this action to the senate by saying that in the din of battle he could not distinguish Roman from ally, effectively eliminating the notion of allied legions. From that point on all Italian legions were regarded as Roman legions and full citizenship to Rome was open to all regions of Italy.
In 101BC Marius also replaced the three types of heavy infantry with a single standard type based on the Principes, making their standard battle gear to heavy javelins called pila (I think it was called pilum in the singular terminology) a short sword that became known as the gladius, chain mail, helmet and the rectangular shields that would last throughout the rest of the Republic and Empire.
Auxiliary troops, called Auxilia would eventually take over the role of allied legions. Auxilia tended to contain specialist units like engineers, pioneers, artillerymen (bowmen) and craftsmen, service and support personnel, and irregular units made up of non-citizens, mercs, and local militia. These Auxilia would form units of Light Calvalry, light infantry, and labourers. Speculation exists, and is thought by most historians to be accurate that in addition to those units a reconnaissance squad of 10 or more light mounted infantry (speculatores) served as messengers, and as the early form of military intelligence units.
Part of the reforms also consisted of the standardization of the legions internal organization. Each legion was divided into Cohorts, whereas prior to this cohorts had been temporary admin units or tactical task forces of several maniples, being even more transitory than the legions themselves prior to the reformations. Each Cohort (of which ten existed per legion) were composed of 6 Centuries with the first cohort double the strength of the others for a total of 66 cohorts. Each Century consisted of ten units or Contubernia of eight men who shared a tent, millstone, mule and cooking pot, forming the earliest known squads used in modern warfare.
The six centuries of a normal cohort were, in order, the foward hastati, rear hastati, forwar principes, rear principes, forwar triarii, rear triarii being the sixth cohort.
After the reformations Cohorts came to form the basic tactical unit of the legions with ranking within the legion based on length of service with the senior centurion commanding the first century of the first cohort (Primus Pilus or first spear) who reported dirctly to the superior officers legates and tribuni. All career soldiers could be promoted to the higher ranks in recognition of exceptional acts of bravery or valour. The newest and most junior Centurion would be assigned to the sixth century of the tenth cohort and would slowly progress through the ranks to the Primus Pilus position through his actions in battle, death of other centurions, or their promotions or transfers. Each legion typically had a large baggage train in which one mule for every 8 legionaries would carry their equipment. This, given the size of the legions, would have a baggage train of 640 or more mules. As these baggage trains were so long marius instituted a policy where each infantryman carried as much of his own equipment as he could, including their armour, weapons, and 15 days rations which weighed about 50-60 pounds each. In order to lighten their load, and speed up their movement, each legioniare was issued a cross stick to carry their loads on their soldiers, indicating the first known example of modern military movements where each soldier carries their equipment, rations, and such in bags on their back during any and all movements. During this time the legions consisted of roughly 5120 soldiers, plus a large number of camp followers, servants and slaves. The biggest known legions were said to have reached 11,000 fighting men when including the auxiliaries.
The size of the legions varied depending on the number of conflicts currently engaged in, and the size of the Roman Republic/Empire. In fact during later years, the legions numbered 1,000 to allow for easier surveillance and garrisoning of Rome's vast territories.
After the refomations the threat of the legions forming a demagogue was recognized causing the senate to ban governors from leaving their provinces. Julius Caesar broke this rule when he crossed the Rubicon precipitating a constitutional crisis and causing numerous civil wars bringing an end to the republic and the formation of the Empire under Augustus in 27BC.
Legatus Augusti Pro Praetore- Imperial Legate: Was the commander of two or more legions, and also served as the governor of the province in which the legions he commanded were stationed. It was a senatorial rank, and was appointed by the Emperor or majority of the Senate during republic days, and held command for 3-4 years unless necessity dictated they hold it longer. This is the equivalent of the modern General.
Legatus Legionis- Legion Legate: Was the overall legion commander. The post was usually held by a senator appointed by the Emperor (or the senate during the republic), and held command for 3-4 years, but could serve for a much longer period if they wanted to/or were needed to as long as they retained the Emperors or the Senate's Support. In Provinces with only one Legion stationed they also served as the governor of the province. They also commanded the auxiliary units (the games levies and MAA regiments) attached to the legion even though they were not formally a part of the legions command structure.
Tribunus Laticlavius-Broad Band Tribune: was named for the broad striped tunic worn by men of senatorial rank and legally held the position of second in command of the legion although would not serve as such in battle. They were typically appointed by the Senate or the Emperor, however were often young, though semi-experienced. Because of age and experience they rarely served as the second in command during battle, but would take command of the legion as a whole if the legate died until a new one was appointed.
Praefectus Castrorum- Camp Prefect: Was the third in command of the legion, and generally a long serving veteran of lower social status than the tribunii whom he outranked. It was a requirement that he had previously served as the Primus Pilus and have finished his 25 years with the legions. They were the second in command during battle, but were mostly in charge of training a legion or commanding a cohort of auxiliaries as needed. The Legatus Legionis typically appointed them, but the senate or emperor could override the appointment. This however rarely happened as the neither the Senate nor the Emperor usually cared much for this position as the chances of their ever actually taking command of the legion as the Imperial Legate had the power to appoint temporary commanders of a legion in the case that both the legion legate and the tribunus laticlavuius were killed. The Emperor or the senate would occasionally appoint someone to the position in preparation for a larger role or to have them be watched more closely for either honors to be given or treason. There is anecdotal evidence that giving this position to legionnaires who had displayed exceptional valor or bravery.
Tribuni angusticlavii-Narrow Band Tribunes: Of which each legion had five. Lower ranking tribunes were normally from the equestrian (upper) class and had at least some years of prior military experience, they typically served as administrative officers (supply, etc.) This was often the first, but optional step in a young man's political career.
Centurions was an officer grade that included many ranks as Centurion's would start form the last century in the last cohort of a legion and work their way up to the position of Primus Pilus (commander of the first century of the first cohort). The Centurion of the first Century of each cohort was also the commander of the entire Cohort when in battle. These were known as the Pilus Prior. The seniority of the Pilus Prior centurions was followed by the other five century commanders were known as Primi ordines. There exist more formal terminology for the centurion ranks, and historians are divided on what the most accurate version is. My research indicates as many as Twenty one different ranks within the legions. Twenty within a single legion as the twenty first was the Legatus Legionis. Centurions could be considered the modern equivalent of a captain, or company commander.
Some of the lower ranks were the Optio, which was the equivalent of a modern first sergeant. They were the second in command of a cohort, and paid twice the basic wage. The Centurions had the authority to appoint their own Optio, although getting appointed as the Optio didn't automatically include a promotion to Centurion, it was considered the first step, and Optio's were rarely replaced when they didn't get the promotion to Centurion.
A Tesserarius was the guard commander, and acted as the seconds of the Optio's being paid 1.5 times the base wage. They were the third in command of century as well as keeper of the watchword, admin assistant to HQ staff and other duties. The closest modern equivalent would be either the position of staff sergeant or sergeant first class in the us army.
A Decurion commanded a calvalry unit of 10-30 eques legionis.
The lowest rank other than that of the basic trooper was the Decanus (sometimes knowns as the Discens) who commanded a contubernium or ten men tent party. The modern equivalent is probably closest to sergeant or corporal. There were also special duty posts, such as the eagle bearer, a signifer who bore a century's standard, a horn blower, immunes who were legionary soldiers who possessed specialized skills qualifying them for better pay and excusing them from labour and guard work. Engineers, artillerymen, musicians, clerks, quartermasters, drill and weapons instructors, carpenters, hunters, medical staff, and their equivalent of Military Police. Their status did not, however, exclude them from participating in battle when needed.
Historians believe, based on evidence and historical text (not all of which can be translated or fully understood, or even read so bear in mind that a lot of what we think we know about the romans is conjecture based on what we
can translate.) Anyways from Marius onwards legionaries received 225 Denarii a year base rate. This stayed until Domitian increased it to 300 Denarii, and Septimius Severus increased it to 500 denarii a year. However, soldiers did not receive their full pay as a clothing and food tax was deducted. Legionnaires on campaigns often supplemented this income with the booty of war, plunder from enemy settlements, and looting the bodies of dead enemies (and allies). Slaves could also be claimed from the POW's and divided amongst the legion for later sale which brought a sizable supplement.
They also received a praemia (Veteran's benefit) on completion of their term of 25 years or more of service: this consisted of 3,000 denarii and/or a plot of farmland. Under Caracalla, this increased to 5,000 denarii.
Much like modern militaries the Romans, throughout their history, had harsh and not so harsh punishments for various infractions of their strictly enforced regulations. These included Castigatio, being hit by the centurion with his staff or animadversio fustium, a reduction of rations-being forced to eat barley instead of grain rations. Pecuniaria mulcta or reduction in pay, fines, or deductions from the pay allowance, flogging, whipping which was more brutal than a flogging, gradus deiectio or reduction in rank, missio ignominiosa or dishonorable discharge, loss of time in service advantages, relegation to inferior service or duties or additional duties.
The harsher punishments, Fustuarium was a sentence for deserters or dereliction of duty, in which a soldier was stoned or beated to death by his fellow soldiers or those whose lives had been put in danger. In extreme cases that a large group was sentences to this, the Tribune would select a handful from them to be stoned or beaten to death, the rest would be driven out of camp and forced to live in an defended location ofr a chosen period of time while being limited to eating only barley.
Decimation has never been proven although it's thought that the romans practiced this punishment in which a sentence was carried out against an entire unit that had mutinied, deserted, or shown dereliction of duty, where one out ten drawn by lots would be beaten to death by the other nine with their bare hands, after which they would be forced to live outside the camp and in some instances obliged to renew the military oath. Again this has never been proven.
Roman currency was 1 gold aureus = 2 gold quinarri = 25 silver denarii = 50 silver quinarii =100 bronze sestertii = 200 bronze dupondii - 400 copper assess = 800 copper semisses=1,600 copper quadrantes.
Yes, most if not all of this information is publically available and can be found in multiple places. I had to look up the pay and the currency. I also just realized that instead of the time period I should have been focused on, 275 BC, I've been focusing on mostly the Marius reformations as they lasted pretty much the same with some changes until the fall of both the east and western empires. I can tell you about the legions in 275BC as well, but this took a while to confirm my facts so that I didn't post false information, so if you want that info, I'll do it tomorrow.
