“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