Why was the Roman army so successful?
Source A
Source B
Every soldier puts all he has into the training, just
as if he were taking part in a real war. That is why
their battle formation always holds together; they
are never paralysed with fear or worn out with
exhaustion.
They are taught not to cut with their swords but
to thrust. The Romans find it easy to beat
people who use their swords to cut rather than
thrust … for a cutting stroke, even made with
full force, rarely kills. On the other hand, a
stab, even five centimetres deep, is usually
fatal. Besides, if you attempt to cut with your
sword you expose your right arm and side. Yet
when you deliver a thrust, the body is protected
by the shield.
Their enemies are never a match for the Romans
and the Romans inevitably win. In fact it would be
true to say that their exercises are bloodless
battles and their battles are bloody exercises!
The Romans never expose themselves to surprise
attack. Whatever enemy country they may invade,
they do not become involved in any battle before
they have fortified the camp.
Adapted from Vegetius, The Military
Institutions of the Romans, 390 AD
Adapted from Flavius Josephus, a Jewish
historian, First Century AD
Source D
Source C – A Roman army unit in tortoise
formation
Photo by yeowatzup, 23rd September 2010 http://www.flickr.com/photos/yeowatzup/5072679364/ Choosing men is just like choosing horses and
dogs.
The recruit should be broad-chested, with
powerful shoulders and brawny arms. He should
not be pot-bellied or fat-bottomed. His calves
and feet should not be flabby. When you find all
these qualities in a recruit, you can afford to
take him even if he is a little on the short side.
The whole well-being of the Roman state
depends on the kinds of recruits you have.
Adapted from Vegetius, The Military
Institutions of the Romans, 390 AD
Questions
a)
What reasons does the writer of Source A give for the success of the Roman Empire?
b)
Does the evidence in Sources B and C support the evidence of Source A?
c)
How useful are Sources C and D for finding out about the success of the Roman army?
d)
Using all of the sources and your own knowledge, explain why the Roman army was so successful.
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