The Impact Of Roman Military Reforms During The Late Republic

Chalking up the fall of the Roman Republic to a decline in traditional Roman morality, while not false, sells the events and changes that were the causes for the fall of the Republic short. At the end of The Third Punic War with Carthage we arguably see the Republic at its height. However in only a decade things begin to change, we see events that send Rome as a Republic past a point that Rome could not recover. Gaius Marius’s military reforms, specifically that of allowing for the captive cencsi, men who owned no property, and the creation of professional soldiers is the true catalyst for the downfall of the Republic. By enacting these reforms Marius opened up military duty to Rome’s largest group of citizens, however it created unforeseen issues, such as what to do with these men once they returned from battle. These reforms opened the door for military generals like Sulla and Caesar to gain the unquestioned support of their troops, in many instances gaining more respect from the soldiers then they had for the Roman state itself. These military reforms are a constant through line through the fall of the Republic, touching large political issues such as the conflicts between the Populares and the Optimates, or the rise of The First Triumvirate; socioeconomic issues such as the rise of Roman aristocracy, development of a slave based agriculture system to the profits from war. The complexity in which these reforms help lead to this immoral Roman state is complex and has been

First Consequences they had horrible consequences for example if you fell asleep on duty you would most likely be put to death. Next life in the army was dreadful. Since at 20 you had to go into the army and every soldier was a roman citizen. Next some soldiers were trained good enough they could fling rocks from slingshots,Able to shoot bows and be able to swim fast enough to swim up rivers and surprise attack the other army. Next the Roman Army attacked by lining up in a row with shields and then they all throw their spears at the army. Last about the army's armour. First the Army had a lot of parts to keep them protected the Helmet,Back Plate, Front plate, Greaves armor for the shins, and all of their armor was made out of metal and leather. Last Training the romans had a very complex training they had a big army so the army battle against each other with wood things like swords and shields. So in conclusion the grade I gave them fit the roman

The next set of military reforms come in 107 BC by then consul, Gaius Marius. These reforms expanded Rome’s army vastly and was influential in Rome’s future conquests, as well as protecting Rome from invaders. The reforms also gave military leaders more power than ever, and swayed soldiers to being loyal to their commanders instead of the Roman state. Marius, himself, is a very unlikely person to bring this kind of reform to the Roman army given his background. Although there is some conflicting sources as to Marius’ parents occupations with Plutarch claiming that they were poor peasants, “who supported themselves by their daily labour” (Plutarch 549), and other sources

The Roman Army’s composition and expansion was one of its greatest strengths as well as one of its more important weaknesses. “Augustus professionalized the military” and by doing so, made the Roman army “a recognized institution of the government (pg. 149). This allowed those who served in the army to receive certain benefits when they retired. For instant, Roman citizens who served could receive land or cash bonus, and noncitizen volunteers who served received Roman citizenship. This made volunteering for the army and attractive opposition.

Rome had the best military of its time. They troops were drafted each year and any land owning citizen could be picked. Every man was trained in the art of war, to be ruthless and efficient on the battlefield. They were trained with pilum and gladus to kill their enemies. They fought in what is known has a Maniple Legion. Maniples were the small formations that made up the bigger battle lines. These smaller organizations trained together and became a coherent part of the Roman lines. The Roman camps were laid out so that the Maniples camped in the same order that they line for battle. And this powerhouse of a military had to main

As the Roman Republic found its way into the third and second centuries BC, it could not have anticipated its level of military engagement nor the number of conflicts it would find itself in over the next two hundred years. A series of wars allowed the Roman Republic to consolidate power on the Italian peninsula, emerge as a major force in the Mediterranean area, and lay the groundwork for what eventually would become the Empire. The series of wars Rome fought had profound impacts on the political, economic, social and cultural areas of Roman life. Ultimately Rome would emerge as a powerhouse city with a thriving political system within it, dominate the economic situation in the region before extending further, and saw the dramatic change of Roman society as it experienced a cultural influx from foreigners.

The reforms instituted by Marius were designed as a way to strengthen the Republic by professionalizing the Roman military, but instead resulted in long term political consequences that contributed to the decline of the Republic and the creation of the Empire. In this report, the decline of the republic specifically refers to the loss of the Senate’s authority over Rome’s generals.

It turned its citizens into an army, called Legionaries. Legionaries are Roman Republic foot soldiers fighting in closed ranks. With Rome having a large and

     Two problems facing the late Roman Empire was the instability and non unification caused by inner family civil wars. Rome's rapid expansion, after the Punic Wars, resulted in changes that permanently divided the state. Both Aristocrats and Plebeians wanted total control of Rome and tried to destroy each other. Civil war was the the only way to solve problems in politics. Consequently, the power of the military became strong. Control of Rome's armies changed from the government to the generals because the soldiers began to listen to their generals rather than to the Government. On dismissal from military service, the soldiers had no farms to return to, and they

Chapter 2 entitled “From The Flavians To The Severi” informs the reader of Luttwak’s belief that Rome’s expeditionary units, as was used in the second century, were highly less effective than the legions of the first century because they were not as movable. The author tells us, “… legions were deployed at fixed bases which, in most cases, they were never to leave again; and soldiers soon acquired unofficial families in the settlements that grew spontaneously around the legionary bases. It is sometimes assumed that this domestication diminished the army’s combat capabilities by undermining its fighting spirit”.

The Roman Army was well-organized. Soldiers were trained to fight and to defend themselves and used various weapons.

The research question of this extended essay is, “To what extent did the Roman military adapt and change as a product of warfare and contact with other cultures, from the tribal days of Rome to the end of the Republic?” Though her

Carthage, unlike Rome, was ruled by an oligarchy of powerful families, the most prominent at the time of the Punic Wars being the Barcas. The Republic, however, drew strength from the strong emphasis on family as well as the ideals of Stoicism that stressed duty, honor, and order. Without a naval fleet to protect its shipping until the First Punic War began, Rome was a land power, her legions beyond compare. Aptly demonstrated with the destruction of Etruria and the subjugation of the Latin city-states, the legion was manned by citizen-soldiers. Until the later civil wars and the creation of personal armies begun by Consul Marius, Roman commanders were expected to follow the tradition of Cincinnatus, an early Republican general whose duty to the Republic came before personal

The Roman Republic, known for its grounding principles and spread of power is the basis of politics in many western cultures and some of its implements are still used today. The power of the Roman people allowed them to govern during the Roman Republic but only centuries later in Imperial Rome did the power fall to only one man. The transition from the Roman Republic to Imperial Rome is known to have many different causes but the sum of them led to war, war then led to conquerors and conquerors seized all of Rome’s power. The Roman Republic highlights Rome’s initial plan for prosperity but corruption quickly leads to chaos. Amidst the chaos leaders become evident and with followers they grow to be supreme rulers.

On the surface, military life within the Roman Empire easily gives a cut and dry impression of merely nothing but violence and conquering new territories. Contrary to this impression, the inscriptions provided from Vindolanda gives an in-depth look to how Military garrisons and officials corresponded and interacted with each other. The documents also include a glimpse into relationships between husband and wife. Moreover, with this extensive analysis of these tablets, it is clear to see that there was an overt sense of comradery and admiration within the Roman army. This cordiality is evident and it adds an extra layer to the revered Roman Empire and their garrisons’ service.