points on joining the roman army?

Answer 1

you must look like russel crowe and know how to do a "tortoise" formation...??

Answer 2

I'm sorry, but your question is not very clear.

I am assuming you are talking about the time of Julius Caesar and his successor, so Early Imperial Rome.

A citizen may join an infantry unit called a Legion if he were at least 5' 7" in height. The period of joining was usually twenty years. At first he would be assigned to a Century, a unit of 100 men, led by a centurion. During his time he would be regular drill and weapon practise, and would also learn construction and carpentry. If I remember correctly, five centuries made up a cohort, and five cohorts plus a cavalry unit made up a legion. I'm not a hundred percent on that though.

Nobles usually went into the cavalry. This also applied to nobility from conquered nations such as Gauls, who made up a substantial part of Roman cavalry at certain times in history.

Recently conquered peoples who were not considered up to legionary standard could also fight in the auxiliaries. These would fight with javelin and sword usually, but also bows and slings depending on local traditions. Sometimes the auxiliaries were formidable fighting units in there own right. At the battle of Mons Graupius in AD 83, the auxiliaries bore the brunt of the fighting against the Caladonians, defeating them without the help of the legions.

Answer 3

Joining the Roman army ment improving you're social standing. Post Marius reforms, Barbarians who served for a full term of 25 years gained full citizenship. It also held the prestige status of being associated with today's military. People gave you special treatment, and you had a much better chance of gaining public office- and was a must if you wanted to try you're hand at being a consul. It was also one of the few jobs (and one of the only jobs for the poor) that provided retirement packages- and a good one at that. Each man who served for 25 years or more was granted land, slaves, and a stipend income from his commanding legion general. It was also an improvement on the idea of a professional army, meaning it was you're career path and one you could support yourself on. Unlike most armies of the day, the Roman army offer good pay and benefits (like plunder, and provided needs).

Answer 4

you must be swiss