hastati, Velites, Equites, Auxilia, etc..
tell me about the recruitment system post and pre-Marian, mention the Auxiliary usage, TELL ME EVERYTHING!
>>1414342
dude concription lmao
>>1414342
That's a lot of Celts
The infantry contingents of a traditional consular army during the 4th to 2nd Century BC was two Roman Legions(one per consul)
On top of this the allies were required to match the romans in manpower, so an additional 5000 auxilia would bring the strength up to a total of around 10.000 men.
In theory a consul would only command a single legion, but as the state grew and the wars got bigger they added additional legions when needed.
>>1414917
And all of them lost badly, kek
You could only join if you owned property and you had to buy your own equipment
>Velites
Poorfags, had helmets covered with animal skin but otherwise no armor, armed with javelins with swords as emergency weapons, skirmishers who harrassed the enemy before the main line engaged
>Hastati
The young bucks, had bronze helmets with a bronze heart protector earlier on and then a mail shirt later, armed with spears early on and pila and swords later, these guys were the front line and the first to engage
>Principes
Older, richer veterans, had similar equipment to the hastati but better quality, if the Hastati's charge failed to break the enemy line, were repulsed, or were getting tired, they would retreat and the Principes would be sent in to relieve them
>Triarii
The best equipped infantry and most experienced infantry, armed with spears. Behind the Hastati and Principes, ready to engage if need be, but were mostly never used since the battle would usually be over by then.
>>1414955
Velites were also know for being VERY aggressive towards other skirmishers. They tore peltasts apart in hand to hand in the macedonian wars, and were used to fuck up cavalry in close combat more than once.
>>1414955
Wrong, the principes were first to engage, hence the name (princeps - first). Hastati went right behind them in second line. It's not very smart to send young inexperienced troops in first lines.
>>1415426
2/10.
>>1415426
>>1414342
As far as recruitment goes, didn't citizens just show up at the Campus Martius with their self-aquired weapons and gear when a war began, and were then formed into units? Typically those who were the most eager to go got picked.
>>1415426
>It's not very smart to send young inexperienced troops in first lines.
Yeah, it is, that's the best thing you could possibly do. If you send your veterans in first, and they get beaten, your fresh recruits are going to panic and run. If you send your fresh recruits in first, and they get beaten, your veterans are disciplined enough not to flee.
>>1415485
Not to mention that the younger ones act as a screen for the old, soaking up missiles and softening up the enemy in time for the veterans to turn the tide.
>>1415426
you are stupid.
>>1415485
>>1415503
It's simpler than that.
If a roman won a crown or award from valor, his father was allowed to wear it.
If the young and untested fight first, ALL men gain glory, meaning the veterans are easier ot keep under control, and the young can go forward to make their name. And get needed battle experience.
This is also why velites liked animal skins-makes them easy to recognize at a distance. Romans rewarded men who engaged and killed the enemy in close combat when it wasn't required of them.
