Friday, April 23, 2010
"Tulip" Field
"Tulip" are holes dug in the ground, approximately one yard wide at the top and one yard deep. A sharpened stake is sunk into the bottom of the hole and usually smeared with human feces or others material to create a very bad wound. The tulips are dug in lines which are offset from each other in order to prevent an attacker from finding a path through the field. The first eight holes that you see are uncovered in the left half of the picture. In the right half of the picture the eight "tulips" are covered with light brush to hide them. "Tulip" are anti=personnel field fortifications, and have been used since before the Roman Republic to defend areas fro foot infantry.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Pontoon Bridge
This photo shows the pontoon bridge fully constructed with lead-in plank roads on each end. Often lead-in plank roads had to be constructed to reach the river or stream because of an extended marsh or swamp on either side of the water barrier.
Roman Footbridge, Side View
The bridge was constructed across a deep stream-bed, hence the long support timbers.
Medium Covered Pontoon Frame
The pontoon cloths, anchors, anchor ropes, and fastening ropes are carried in the pontoon frame wagons, usually two frames and all the needed materials can be carried in a single wagon. The chesses are carried on separate wagons as are the baulks and border timbers. All wagons carrying material for pontoon bridges are put together in a pontoon train with a separate officer in charge. Pontoon Trains are to be given priority to move ahead of an army in transit in order to prepare the bridge as necessary before the army arrives at the river or other place to cross the bridge.
Medium Pontoon Frame, Top View
This pontoon frame is covered with heavy oiled cloth. It is lighter than a solid wooden pontoon, but can only be used for passing infantry.
Pontoon Bridge , Three Pontoons and Bridge Structure
This view shows all three pontoons, The two that are covered with white are covered with oiled cloth, the center pontoon shows the framework around which the cloth is wrapped and fastened. The bridge structure starts to the right: showing the heavy timbers on which the bridge rests. These are called baulks. Next are the planks laid across the baulks which forms the surface on which men and horses walk. These are called Chesses. Following these are the border timbers, which are there to deflect wagon wheels from going over the edge of the bridge, The baulks, chesses and border timbers are fastened to the pontoons with ropes. Nothing is nailed together.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A Cold Reception -- A Short Play
Place-- Guard Room of a Roman Fortress at Dubris (Dover) Britain which is in the process of being built.
Actors--
>>>Hastus -- A tall, lean legionary with the rank of Principalus (acting) who has been transferred from a disbanded legion He is in full Legionary uniform as required.
>>>Publius -- Legionary Principalus and Hastus’ escort.
>>>Scipio Tiberius -- Senior (Cohort) Centurion,
Stage Setting-- The room is rather small as guardrooms go and sparsely furnished. The bare walls are hung with a few items of armor and weapons, and a pitcher rests in a shallow dish on a small table in the corner. The officer is seated on a rough wooden bench, on a small cushion, at a plain four-legged table and the floor is relieved only by a simple rush mat. The table is piled high with scrolls, wax tablets and wooden books. A small basket under the table holds a small stack of wax tablets and tablet leaves. Hastus and Publius are fully dressed as Legionarys. The Centurion is a small man and he is dressed as a senior centurion, as if for parade, with a rust red cape and molded leather chest plate. His white tunic is freshly laundered and bears around the lower edge the watered green stripe denoting the fleet support legions. Hastus and Publius are at the door to the guard room
Publius, Hastus’ escort, has just stopped at the entrance to the guard room and turned to him.
Publius -- “Wait here.” (punctuates the comment with a scowl), Publius enters the office, snaps to attention, and gives a crashing salute to the seated Centurion.
“A new man reporting Centurion, he awaits your pleasure sir.” This report is delivered in a loud voice, with Publius still standing stiffly at attention.
Scipio Tiberius -- “Send Him In.” This comment is made without looking up from the scroll that he is reading.
Publius -- Turning in a military about face, looked at Hastus and summoned him with a cupped hand. “Advance to the table and report yourself!” This comment was just as loud and military as was the Legionary’s report to the Centurion.
Hastus -- Hastus steps into the room and advances to the table. His helmet clamped tight under his elbow, and standing at rigid attention, “Hastus Pilius Scipius, acting Principalus reports his arrival. I salute you and Caesar!!” This last was accomplished with a clash of armor and the thud of his nailed boots.
Scipio Tiberius -- Looks up at the reporting legionary without comment, and slowly stands, rounding the edge of the table, and holding out his hand,
“Yours orders please.” Hastus extends his orders cylinder, and the officer takes the cylinder, breaks the seal and withdraws the papyrus inside. As he reads his expression changes to one of displeasure. He returns to his bench and sitting, he looks up at Hastus thoughtfully,” Report your last station, your rank and specialty , if any.”
Hastus -- Still standing stiffly at attention looking at the wall behind the Centurion,” My last station was Legio Fourteen, Eighth Cohort, acting principalus, with a specialty in weapons and armor.”
Scipio Tiberius -- Looking over the papyrus order sheet in his hand, he again looks up at Hastus,”Hmmmmm, a legion dogface raised to acting rank just prior to the disbandment of your legion and the partial transfer of your cohort. You do not inspire my confidence principalus.” This last was said with contempt.
Hastus -- Replies hotly, “ I supported my cohort for six years Primus, first as a legionary, then as a weapons-man, and finally the honor of being made a leader. No one has found fault with my efforts to date nor will you!!!” When Hastus completes his last report, he again salutes as before and says,” My report is complete Primus.”
Scipio Tiberius -- The centurion sat quietly and listened carefully to what Hastus had to say. A smile played around the centurion’s lips, “Well,” he said with a hard edge to his words,” You are a proud one are you not? He continued before Hastus could reply,” However pride and effectiveness are two different things.” The centurion stands scowling, and leaning on the table facing Hastus making his points with his index finger pointing at the legionary.” I have no use for talkers here, only doers. I will speak for us all. There is a fortress to be built, a fleet to man against the day of the attack by these cursed northmen, and that day WILL come!!!” The centurion emphasizes this last by striking the table top hard enough to make the scrolls jump. “ I have no time or sympathy for you or your precious posting. You come to us from a disbanded legion and a scattered cohort. Disbanded for what reason we do not know; intrigue, lack of need, poor performance, or WORSE ----- Cowardice!!!!! I know you not!! Prove yourself!! The centurion turns away from Hastus momentarily, and then turns suddenly and again pointing a finger at Hastus ,” and keep a tight hold on your unbridled tongue while you still have it!!” The centurion turns to Publius just behind and to the left of Hastus, “ Put him on the North Wall.” The centurion smiles wickedly and says, “give him the ten men of Triarch and see if he lasts longer than his predesessor.”
Publius -- “it is done, centurion,” with another clashing salute, He glances at Hastus but says nothing, He turns smartly and walks through the door.
Hastus -- is blind with fury and his hands clench into fists as he stands there for a long moment, his unencumbered hand clapped tightly to his side. He is shaking slightly.
Scipio Tiberius -- The little centurion approaches Hastus, leans close to him, and said pointing at the door, “Get Out!!!”
Hastus -- Turns and marches stiffly from the room.
Respectfully Submitted;
Marcus Audens
Actors--
>>>Hastus -- A tall, lean legionary with the rank of Principalus (acting) who has been transferred from a disbanded legion He is in full Legionary uniform as required.
>>>Publius -- Legionary Principalus and Hastus’ escort.
>>>Scipio Tiberius -- Senior (Cohort) Centurion,
Stage Setting-- The room is rather small as guardrooms go and sparsely furnished. The bare walls are hung with a few items of armor and weapons, and a pitcher rests in a shallow dish on a small table in the corner. The officer is seated on a rough wooden bench, on a small cushion, at a plain four-legged table and the floor is relieved only by a simple rush mat. The table is piled high with scrolls, wax tablets and wooden books. A small basket under the table holds a small stack of wax tablets and tablet leaves. Hastus and Publius are fully dressed as Legionarys. The Centurion is a small man and he is dressed as a senior centurion, as if for parade, with a rust red cape and molded leather chest plate. His white tunic is freshly laundered and bears around the lower edge the watered green stripe denoting the fleet support legions. Hastus and Publius are at the door to the guard room
Publius, Hastus’ escort, has just stopped at the entrance to the guard room and turned to him.
Publius -- “Wait here.” (punctuates the comment with a scowl), Publius enters the office, snaps to attention, and gives a crashing salute to the seated Centurion.
“A new man reporting Centurion, he awaits your pleasure sir.” This report is delivered in a loud voice, with Publius still standing stiffly at attention.
Scipio Tiberius -- “Send Him In.” This comment is made without looking up from the scroll that he is reading.
Publius -- Turning in a military about face, looked at Hastus and summoned him with a cupped hand. “Advance to the table and report yourself!” This comment was just as loud and military as was the Legionary’s report to the Centurion.
Hastus -- Hastus steps into the room and advances to the table. His helmet clamped tight under his elbow, and standing at rigid attention, “Hastus Pilius Scipius, acting Principalus reports his arrival. I salute you and Caesar!!” This last was accomplished with a clash of armor and the thud of his nailed boots.
Scipio Tiberius -- Looks up at the reporting legionary without comment, and slowly stands, rounding the edge of the table, and holding out his hand,
“Yours orders please.” Hastus extends his orders cylinder, and the officer takes the cylinder, breaks the seal and withdraws the papyrus inside. As he reads his expression changes to one of displeasure. He returns to his bench and sitting, he looks up at Hastus thoughtfully,” Report your last station, your rank and specialty , if any.”
Hastus -- Still standing stiffly at attention looking at the wall behind the Centurion,” My last station was Legio Fourteen, Eighth Cohort, acting principalus, with a specialty in weapons and armor.”
Scipio Tiberius -- Looking over the papyrus order sheet in his hand, he again looks up at Hastus,”Hmmmmm, a legion dogface raised to acting rank just prior to the disbandment of your legion and the partial transfer of your cohort. You do not inspire my confidence principalus.” This last was said with contempt.
Hastus -- Replies hotly, “ I supported my cohort for six years Primus, first as a legionary, then as a weapons-man, and finally the honor of being made a leader. No one has found fault with my efforts to date nor will you!!!” When Hastus completes his last report, he again salutes as before and says,” My report is complete Primus.”
Scipio Tiberius -- The centurion sat quietly and listened carefully to what Hastus had to say. A smile played around the centurion’s lips, “Well,” he said with a hard edge to his words,” You are a proud one are you not? He continued before Hastus could reply,” However pride and effectiveness are two different things.” The centurion stands scowling, and leaning on the table facing Hastus making his points with his index finger pointing at the legionary.” I have no use for talkers here, only doers. I will speak for us all. There is a fortress to be built, a fleet to man against the day of the attack by these cursed northmen, and that day WILL come!!!” The centurion emphasizes this last by striking the table top hard enough to make the scrolls jump. “ I have no time or sympathy for you or your precious posting. You come to us from a disbanded legion and a scattered cohort. Disbanded for what reason we do not know; intrigue, lack of need, poor performance, or WORSE ----- Cowardice!!!!! I know you not!! Prove yourself!! The centurion turns away from Hastus momentarily, and then turns suddenly and again pointing a finger at Hastus ,” and keep a tight hold on your unbridled tongue while you still have it!!” The centurion turns to Publius just behind and to the left of Hastus, “ Put him on the North Wall.” The centurion smiles wickedly and says, “give him the ten men of Triarch and see if he lasts longer than his predesessor.”
Publius -- “it is done, centurion,” with another clashing salute, He glances at Hastus but says nothing, He turns smartly and walks through the door.
Hastus -- is blind with fury and his hands clench into fists as he stands there for a long moment, his unencumbered hand clapped tightly to his side. He is shaking slightly.
Scipio Tiberius -- The little centurion approaches Hastus, leans close to him, and said pointing at the door, “Get Out!!!”
Hastus -- Turns and marches stiffly from the room.
Respectfully Submitted;
Marcus Audens
Paper Work Roman Style
We are indebted to the Roman Army for many military institutions , soldiers and scholars alike reaching back into the ancient period to Roman models during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when standing armies once again became commonplace in Europe. Bur Roman models didn’t always work, and it took time for the proper bureauacracy to develop, for the ancient sources failed to mention one very important Roman military invention, Paperwork.
The Roman army was the first in history in which a significant number of the troops were literate, evidence exists to suggest that at the height of the Empire probably a third of the men could both read and write. There is plenty of evidence for this, as literally thousands of letters, orders, and documents and more have been found in the trash at the sites of Roman Army posts from Britain to Germany to Egypt. Although the precise quantity and nature of the paperwork demanded by the Roman Army is still unknown, and probably changed over the ages, as well as depending upon the nature of the units involved, what is known will surely bring a faint smile to anyone who has pounded the keys in a headquarters.
Enough material has survived to give us a good idea of the volume of paperwork that had to be managed in the era of the “Five Good Emperors” (AD 96 - 180).
>> Morning Reports and Orders of the Day, include unit designation, date, number and classes of personnel, commanding officer, password of the day, personnel movements, and special notices and orders, such as oaths, religious observances, and personnel assigned to guards, the standards, etc.
>> Monthly Reports, Unit Rosters summarizing the status of personnel.
>> Daily Activity Report, prepared by the unit clerk for the “praepositus - provost” from written or oral reports by subordinates, possibly termed “renuntia” and probably used in the preparation of After Action Reports and similar documents.
>> “Pridiana,” an annual personnel summary filed on December 31st, giving accessions, losses, (with cause of death, discharge, execution, promotion, etc.) and absenteeism throughout the year.
>> “Acta,” Compiled headquarters paperwork, including, orders, directives, intelligence reports, and more.
>> “Commentarii,” What we would call, “After Action Reports,” outline accounts of operations , of which edited versions of (Caesar’s have survived because he took precautionary measures to insure additional copies were sent to additional commanders)
commander’s diaries, reports from subordinates, daily activity records, and other documents including the commander’s “acta.”
>> Pay records, although in this period the troops were paid quarterly, records would have had to be maintained on an almost daily basis, due to deductions, bonuses, bank deposits, discharges, enlistments and so forth.
>> Receipt Books: A number of these have been found, indicating that units maintained an official register of purchases and outlays, apparently with special account books for particular commodities, such as fodder.
>> Staff reports: Personnel responsible for managing particular types of supplies and equipment, such as tentage, horses, or artillery, or performing special functions, such as the medical staff, engineers, quartermasters, paymasters, and so forth, had to file reports from time to time to permit the more efficient management of resources, and, of course, personnel attached to the intelligence service would have been responsible for maintaining a steady stream of information to commanders...
Although none have survived, there were presumably also some sort of personnel files. Certainly there had to be some way to keep track of a soldier’s career, particularly as he began to move up the promotion ladder, into the centurionate, and perhaps even higher, since changes in rank usually seem to have involved transfers from one unit to another, often in distant theatres.
In addition a Roman headquarters would have had a fairly substantial shelf of reference materials. This would have included army regulations, of course, as well as standard manuals for engineering, fortification, construction and siege works, and “itineraria” essentially handbooks for troop movements, which provided information on routes, local resources, and so forth, including what we would call “strip maps.”
Finally every commander, or at least every serious commander, would have had a personal library of military literature, including general’s memoirs, , of which there were a surprising number, though only Caesar’s have come down to us, treatises on strategy, tactics, deception, and so forth.
Reference: Al Nofi “Paperwork Roman Style, Command Information Center (CIC), Scrivener’s Mess, (scrivenersmess@yahoogroups.com), http://www.strategypage.com/cic/docs/cic276b.asp
Respectfully Submitted;
Marcus Audens
The Roman army was the first in history in which a significant number of the troops were literate, evidence exists to suggest that at the height of the Empire probably a third of the men could both read and write. There is plenty of evidence for this, as literally thousands of letters, orders, and documents and more have been found in the trash at the sites of Roman Army posts from Britain to Germany to Egypt. Although the precise quantity and nature of the paperwork demanded by the Roman Army is still unknown, and probably changed over the ages, as well as depending upon the nature of the units involved, what is known will surely bring a faint smile to anyone who has pounded the keys in a headquarters.
Enough material has survived to give us a good idea of the volume of paperwork that had to be managed in the era of the “Five Good Emperors” (AD 96 - 180).
>> Morning Reports and Orders of the Day, include unit designation, date, number and classes of personnel, commanding officer, password of the day, personnel movements, and special notices and orders, such as oaths, religious observances, and personnel assigned to guards, the standards, etc.
>> Monthly Reports, Unit Rosters summarizing the status of personnel.
>> Daily Activity Report, prepared by the unit clerk for the “praepositus - provost” from written or oral reports by subordinates, possibly termed “renuntia” and probably used in the preparation of After Action Reports and similar documents.
>> “Pridiana,” an annual personnel summary filed on December 31st, giving accessions, losses, (with cause of death, discharge, execution, promotion, etc.) and absenteeism throughout the year.
>> “Acta,” Compiled headquarters paperwork, including, orders, directives, intelligence reports, and more.
>> “Commentarii,” What we would call, “After Action Reports,” outline accounts of operations , of which edited versions of (Caesar’s have survived because he took precautionary measures to insure additional copies were sent to additional commanders)
commander’s diaries, reports from subordinates, daily activity records, and other documents including the commander’s “acta.”
>> Pay records, although in this period the troops were paid quarterly, records would have had to be maintained on an almost daily basis, due to deductions, bonuses, bank deposits, discharges, enlistments and so forth.
>> Receipt Books: A number of these have been found, indicating that units maintained an official register of purchases and outlays, apparently with special account books for particular commodities, such as fodder.
>> Staff reports: Personnel responsible for managing particular types of supplies and equipment, such as tentage, horses, or artillery, or performing special functions, such as the medical staff, engineers, quartermasters, paymasters, and so forth, had to file reports from time to time to permit the more efficient management of resources, and, of course, personnel attached to the intelligence service would have been responsible for maintaining a steady stream of information to commanders...
Although none have survived, there were presumably also some sort of personnel files. Certainly there had to be some way to keep track of a soldier’s career, particularly as he began to move up the promotion ladder, into the centurionate, and perhaps even higher, since changes in rank usually seem to have involved transfers from one unit to another, often in distant theatres.
In addition a Roman headquarters would have had a fairly substantial shelf of reference materials. This would have included army regulations, of course, as well as standard manuals for engineering, fortification, construction and siege works, and “itineraria” essentially handbooks for troop movements, which provided information on routes, local resources, and so forth, including what we would call “strip maps.”
Finally every commander, or at least every serious commander, would have had a personal library of military literature, including general’s memoirs, , of which there were a surprising number, though only Caesar’s have come down to us, treatises on strategy, tactics, deception, and so forth.
Reference: Al Nofi “Paperwork Roman Style, Command Information Center (CIC), Scrivener’s Mess, (scrivenersmess@yahoogroups.com), http://www.strategypage.com/cic/docs/cic276b.asp
Respectfully Submitted;
Marcus Audens
“E” For Effort, Roman Mobilization During the Second Punic War
The personality of Hannibal so dominates the Second Punic War (218-202BC) that the Roman victory in this titanic struggle is often overlooked. One reason for that victory was the prodigious effort made by the Republic to maintain strong armies in the field at whatever cost. As a result, despite repeated devastating losses and blows - Lake Trasimanus, Cannae, and others - the Romans never lost heart, tapping the enormous resources and energies of the Republic to eventually attain a nearly total victory.
It is estimated that in the course of the long war, nearly 100% of eligible male Roman citizens, served at some time or other. For many periods as much as half of the eligible men were under arms. Out of a pool of available male citizens which never exceeded about 340,000, fully 120,000 died in the war, by one estimate, as many as 80,000 of them as a result of cambat.
Altogether, some 55 legions were raised during the war. This figure includes four legions raised from the discharged veterans of the 30 legions that were disbanded in the course of the conflict, plus four more from the remnants of the 15 that were destroyed in combat, and the two composed of slaves who volunteered in exchange for eventual freedom. Although the average term of enlistment for the 55 legions that srved was about five years, several were under arms for much longer periods.
Legionary Service-(218-202BC)
Years (under arms)------Legions
> 15 -------2
> 11 -------2
> 10 -------1
> 8 -------11
> 7 -------2
> 6 -------5
> 5 -------6
> 4 -------4
> 3 -------7
> 2 -------10
> 1 -------5
The two legions which remained under arms for 15 years were composed of the survivors of the disaster at Cannae in 216BC, when four legions were destroyed, two of which had been recruited in 218, and two in 217. Thus, upon their discharge in 201BC, a year after the end of the war, some of the veterans of the two legions cannaneces had been in service for more than 18 years.
Reference:
Al Nofi (CIC), “E” For Effort, Roman Mobilization During the Second Punic War.” (ScrivenersMess@yahoogroups.com), http://www.StrategyPage.com/CIC/docs/CIC001b.asp
Respectfully Submitted,
Marcus Audens
It is estimated that in the course of the long war, nearly 100% of eligible male Roman citizens, served at some time or other. For many periods as much as half of the eligible men were under arms. Out of a pool of available male citizens which never exceeded about 340,000, fully 120,000 died in the war, by one estimate, as many as 80,000 of them as a result of cambat.
Altogether, some 55 legions were raised during the war. This figure includes four legions raised from the discharged veterans of the 30 legions that were disbanded in the course of the conflict, plus four more from the remnants of the 15 that were destroyed in combat, and the two composed of slaves who volunteered in exchange for eventual freedom. Although the average term of enlistment for the 55 legions that srved was about five years, several were under arms for much longer periods.
Legionary Service-(218-202BC)
Years (under arms)------Legions
> 15 -------2
> 11 -------2
> 10 -------1
> 8 -------11
> 7 -------2
> 6 -------5
> 5 -------6
> 4 -------4
> 3 -------7
> 2 -------10
> 1 -------5
The two legions which remained under arms for 15 years were composed of the survivors of the disaster at Cannae in 216BC, when four legions were destroyed, two of which had been recruited in 218, and two in 217. Thus, upon their discharge in 201BC, a year after the end of the war, some of the veterans of the two legions cannaneces had been in service for more than 18 years.
Reference:
Al Nofi (CIC), “E” For Effort, Roman Mobilization During the Second Punic War.” (ScrivenersMess@yahoogroups.com), http://www.StrategyPage.com/CIC/docs/CIC001b.asp
Respectfully Submitted,
Marcus Audens
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Roman Infantryman, Triarus
A heavily armed Roman Infantryman or "Triarus" holds a javelin, while a more lightly armed "Rorarius," or skirmisher flings a stone or lead bullet at the enemy. (4th Century BC).
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