The LEGIO was composed of infantry, and, though larger, corresponded to
our regiment. It was divided into ten cohorts (battalions), each cohort
into three maniples (companies), and each maniple into two centuries
(platoons). In theory the number in each legion was six thousand, in
practice about four thousand. The usual order of battle was to draw up
each legion in three lines (_acies_ triplex), the first consisting of
four cohorts, the second and third of three each. The defensive armor of
the legionary soldier was a helmet of metal or leather, a shield (four
feet by two and a half), greaves, and corselets of various material.
The outer garment was a woollen blanket, fastened to the shoulders by
a buckle. Higher officers wore a long purple cloak. The offensive armor
was a short, straight two-edged sword (_gladius_), about two feet long,
worn by privates on the right side, so as not to interfere with the
shield, but on the left side by officers. The javelin (_pilum_) was a
heavy wooden shaft with an iron head, the whole about seven feet
long and weighing fully ten pounds. All legionary soldiers were Roman
citizens. The auxiliaries were hired or drafted troops, and were always
light-armed. The cavalry in Caesar's time was made up of auxiliaries
taken from the different provinces.
The officers were:--1. The IMPERATOR, or commander in chief. 2. The
LEGATI, or staff officers, varying in number. Caesar had ten. 3. The
QUAESTOR, or quartermaster. 4. The TRIBUNI MILITUM, numbering six in
each legion, and assisting the Imperator in his duties.
5. The PRAEFECTI, who held various subordinate commands. 6. The
CENTURIONES, who were non-commissioned officers, and rose in rank for
good service. There were sixty centurions in each legion, six in each
cohort, and one in each century. They were promoted from the ranks, but
rarely rose above centurion of the first rank. All the officers, except
the centurions, came from either senatorial or equestrian families.
The COHORS PRAETORIA was a body of picked troops that acted as body
guard to the Imperator.
The STANDARD (_signum_) of the legion was an eagle with outstretched
wings, perched upon a pole.
The Romans when on the march fortified their camp every night. They made
it rectangular in shape, and threw up fortifications always in the same
way. It was surrounded by a ditch and rampart. The legionary soldiers
encamped next to the wall on the inside of the fortifications, thus
surrounding the cavalry, the auxiliaries, the general and his staff. The
general's tent was called the _Praetorium_, and the entrance to the
camp in front of his tent was called the Praetorian Gate. The opposite
entrance was called the Decuman Gate.