Rome Roman Military Basics Not permanent levied men

Rome

Roman Military Basics Not permanent levied men paid for equipment 4, 200 legionaries and 300 Calvary

Legions Contubernium: of 8 men. Centuria: 10 contubernium commanded by a centurion Cohorts: 6 centuriae or a total of 480 fighting men Legion: 10 cohorts

Equipment armor shield helmet two javelins short sword dagger

Expansion of Rome

Pyrrhic War

Pyrrhic War Battles and shifting alliances among Greeks, Italians, and Carthage Primarily Rome, King Pyrrhus of Epirus, and Carthage Pyrrhus was considered to be the best General of his day, if not ever.

Battle of Heraclea

Troops Commander: Pyrrhus Publius Valerius Laevinus 3, 000 Infantry 20, 000 -40, 000 Infantry 20, 000 Phalangites, 2, 400 cavalry 6, 000 hoplites 5, 000 Calvary 2, 000 archers 500 slingers 20 war elephants

Battle of Heraclea Fought on a plain near the river Siris Infantry attacked each other 7 times with no progress Pyrrhus deployed his war elephants Roman horse fled rout of the Roman legion A wounded elephant panics the other elephants, thwarting a chance at complete victory

Aftermath Casualty lists range from 7, 000 -15, 000 Romans and 13, 000 Greeks.

Battle of Asculum

Troops Pyrrhus of Epirus Publius Decius Mus 40, 000 cavalry and infantry, 40, 000 cavalry and infantry 20 war elephants 300 anti-elephant devices (chariots fitted with long spikes, flammable pots, and javelin troops)

Battle of Asculum Day 1: Pyrrhus had success but Romans retreated into high ground Day 2: Pyrrhus occupied high ground which had to forcing the Romans to fight or flee Battle proceeded similarly to Heraclea until elephants Roman lines Anti-elephant Roman devices had some success but quickly destroyed by skirmishers Result was a significant rout

Results Romans lost 8, 000 and Pyrrhus 3, 000 (many of his officers) "If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined"

Roman alliance with Carthage Rome refused to talk peace Pyrrhus tried to ally with Carthage Carthaginians allied with Rome instead

Sicilian campaign Pyrrhus offered Kingship of Sicily if he drove out Carthage He wanted to make peace but the Sicilians did not He needed to fleet so asked Sicilians to help which also upset them He left the angry Sicilians to help his Italian allies As he left he said "What a wrestling ground we are leaving, my friends, for the Carthaginians and the Romans. "

Battle of Beneventum

Troops Pyrrhus of Epirus Manius Curius Dentatus 20, 000 infantry 17, 000 infantry 3, 000 cavalry 1, 200 cavalry 20 elephants

Battle of Beneventum Fought at the town of Maleventum Pyrrhus defeated Romans learned to wound elephants, making them panic Renamed the town to Beneventum (Good Event)

Results Romans lost 9, 000 and Pyrrhus lose 11, 000 Pyrrhus left Italy forever He lost two thirds of his army with little to show for it.

Aftermath of the War Greeks lost their only chance of stopping Rome Pyrrhus lost two thirds of his army.

Last wars and death Pyrrhus conquered Macedonia Then attacked Sparta, retreating after huge losses Raced to take Argos afterwards, being trapped in the city, hit on the head, and decapitated

Pyrrhus wrote several books on the art of war but have been lost to history