Ancient Rome - one of the most powerful and influential empires of the past centuries.One of the decisive factors of its power was the presence of well-trained disciplined army, which represented at that time a large military force.Roman army had a clear structural organization.An important place in it occupied the cohort.It was one of the main parts of the army.
History of the Roman army
first military organization was quite simple.At the beginning of its existence the Romans had no standing army.When the war began, all citizens who have reached 18 years of age, had to participate in it.Everyone had to arm themselves according to their property qualification.
Rome actively waged war expanding its borders, and this has affected the changes in the army.In 405 BC.e.it appeared the first volunteers who receive a salary.
Roman army grew, and to the III century BC.e.It has consisted of 20 legions.It is replenished not only by volunteers.Gradually appear the legions of the allies of Rome and captured provinces.Over time decreased and property qualifications associated with compulsory participation in a war of Roman citizens.
military reforms of Gaius Marius
Frequent and prolonged military conflicts, which was Rome, led to resentment among the peasants.They were permanently separated from their farms.Overdue reform of the army.It held in 107 BC.e.Roman consul and military commander Gaius Marius.Its main merit was that now the Roman army recruited citizens who do not own land.Hoping to get while serving a higher social status, among the poor there was a large number of people willing to become soldiers.They enlisted in the army for 25 years.Now part of the legionaries received booty and plots of land in the conquered territories in Gaul, Italy and Africa.Educated men who can at least read, had a good chance to move up the career ladder.
Legion cohort structure and order of battle armies of Rome
Structure troops hardly changed for centuries.Its center is legion.At various times, their number was different - from 20 to 30. command them stands.As part of the Legion were 10 cohorts.The number of each - 480 people.In turn, the cohort consisted of three manipulation.
total number legion consisted of five to six thousand infantry and 300 cavalry, and the army could total up to 350 thousand people during the war.
II century BC.e.Roman army was a professional, disciplined military force, which has excellent composition and prepared by a team headed by the talented generals.
What is the order of battle was used in the Roman army?A significant role is played here by the cohort.This unit, which is one tenth of the Roman legion.During the battle, the legions were built in three or four lines.The first is generally comprised four cohorts, the second, third and fourth - three.Caesar preferred to build an army in three lines.Soldiers cohort were tightly close order.Firstly, because standing next to feel the support of the soldiers.Secondly, such a system was more difficult to break through the enemy troops.In case of formation of holes in the first row it could quickly fill the second line of warriors.Thus, cohort - is the main tactical unit of the Roman army.On how persistently and courageously, she will fight depended on the position of the legion in battle.
Roman cohort - the foundation of the Legion
commanded this detachment of Roman troops, a senior or senior centurions.Usually they were from soldiers who distinguished resourcefulness, ingenuity and courage.If we draw an analogy with a modern army, the Feature and the situation they approached the junior officers.
Cohort - a military unit in the army of ancient Rome.But there are other types of it.There were auxiliary cavalry and reconnaissance units, cohort, consisting of former sailors (something like a modern marine), as well as the city guard detachment (cohors urbana), which was established to deal with criminals.
