In a previous article we looked at the Civil War and how The Union Army may have stacked the odds a bit in their favor by organizing their Army in a way that took distinct advantage of their superior numbers (both in men and material). This article
In a previous article we looked at the Civil War and how The Union Army may have stacked the odds a bit in their favor by organizing their Army in a way that took distinct advantage of their superior numbers (both in men and material). This article will look at how the Roman Army kept an ace up their sleeve with their superior organization in supply lines and logistical organization.
While the Romans were disciplined fighters with solid tactics, it is doubtful they could have expanded as quick and far as they did if they were not organized effectively. What set their organization apart from their enemies was their ability to organize the logistical and equipment aspect of warfare, allowing for defeated units and armies to be replaced in the field, and units who won hard-fought victories to continue their campaigns. Plenty of Greek City-States, Barbarian Kingdoms and other rivals had vicious fighters, imposing terrain and huge numbers of tribal warriors; the Roman Republic though not only survived all of these threats but managed to dominate the Mediterranean.
The frost, sometimes it makes the blade stick.
The Greek Phalanx dominated the battlefield for centuries. Rome fought multiple wars with Macedon and other Greek City-States over the course of a few centuries. During this time, the Roman Army used different tactics (starting with something similar to the phalanx and finally culminating in the “Manipular” or “Polybian” Army), but the constant influx of supplies and logistics remained organized and allowed Roman Armies to operate in Greece.
While the tactics and operations of the Roman Army evolved, they always had an organized, influx of supplies they could count on, and camps they would build to ensure quick, secure movement along their interior supply lines. When Rome was defeated by Macedon at the Battle of Callinicus, they simply moved across the river, set up camp and continued with their war. Previously, defeated Armies would leave the field of battle and come back to fight another day. Rome though, with forward logistics, roads and forts could continue to press the envelope and engage their enemy. They may lose battles, but they almost always won the war.
Roma Victor; Standing at the forefront of a well organized military machine.
The Roman Republic had changed tactics, Army organization and plenty of other things, but they still kept a focus on secure logistics, strong fortifications and speedy internal supply and reinforcement lines. Rome’s tactics, strategy and general success on the battlefield had been noted for centuries before Julius Caesar, Augustus, Diocletian and other Emperors showed up on the scene. These emperors were able to take advantage of a strong and massive Roman Army that had developed thanks to the Marian Reforms.
The Marian Reforms were a series of reforms that allowed the lower class to join the Roman Army as professional soldiers, and transformed the Roman Army from a citizen militia, to a professional army. Not only did this allow the size of the Roman Army to increase dramatically, it also meant that professional soldiers could focus on being military professionals. The lower class who found themselves in the Roman Army were also rewarded with land grants and spoils, settling in newly conquered territory after spending 20 or so years in service. Newly conquered territories were romanized by the influx of retired soldie