The Roman Army VS Carthaginian Army the basics of the Roman Republics Military during the Second Punic War

Rome Vs Carthaginian Punic Wars

This piece of writing was based on the Roman Republic which was recommended by a friend for something to draw and write about. This post is an analysis of the Punic War, - Rome vs. Carthage, and how the generals fought the battles. The Second Punic War was a make-or-break moment for the Roman Republic, which was a very difficult time for Rome. The Carthaginian General Hannibal outmaneuvered the Roman Army- even with less men and left the Republic with a major defeat.

The Roman Versus Carthaginian Punic wars caused dramatic changes in the militaries of the Mediterranean world. The Carthaginians were very strong and had units that came from Spain. The Romans had their infantry, cavalry and light units that were some of the most effective in the world. The Roman’s strength was there infantry who were some of the best in the entire world. The Roman versus Carthaginian Punic wars included units like the Scutarius, Velitarius, Trarii, Hastati and Princeps.

              The Carthaginians had a Spanish Unit called the Scutarius. The Carthaginian unit was called the Iberian Scutarius- from the Spanish Peninsula. The Unit was a particularly high class-based unit that came from very wealthy Spanish men. His armor was very expensive, and they were the frontline against the Roman Legion’s column-based attack. They typically had cut up arms and a beat-up shield. The counterweight of the light spear was his armor allowing him to throw his spear more accurately and better. This unit was a frontline spear based Spanish warrior. The Roman equivalent was called the Hasta Velitaris.

              The Roman Velitaris was a Roman, light javelin unit, that was very popular among the Roman’s Punic enemies. They carried a sword called a falcata, a Greek name/word - kopis, that was worn on the waist. It was a very effective weapon that was used as a slashing dagger and occasionally for thrusting. They used a Celtic like helmet called “Montfortian-type helmet with triple-disc-cheek-pieces and a horsehair crest, as well as a mail shirt worn over a leather helmet” (Cambell 15.) This Roman soldier also carries a Spanish shield that weight ~50-75 pounds.

              The Roman infantry was some of the best infantries in the world. It included: newbies, middle-aged men and the veterans as well as cavalry, spear throwing calvary, archers, slingers and peltasts. The Roman Army consisted of 4,500 men: which included 300 cavalry and 4,200 infantries.  The formation had three levels of experience and types of units: they were called hastate, princeps and Triarii. The Hastati were in about 1,200 men per legion- they were the youngest men in the military. They were armed with a javelin, large shield and small sword. The next line of men were 1,200 men per legion and they were slightly older then the Hastati- however they had similar attire except some had a mail coat. The final line was the Triarii which were 600 men per legion. They were extremely experienced and pretty old as well: they were armed with a large spear called a hasta. There also was some light infantry called Velites quantitated in the amount of 1,200 men which were a loose screen that harried the main force and wouldn’t get destroyed by missiles or ambushes. They had a few javelins and were made to weaken the enemy troops. There also was about three hundred cavalry per legion.

              The Roman’s had very strong infantry however their cavalry was worse than most other countries and up until the very end of the second Punic War the navy was also pretty week. The Roman Legion consisted of 4,500 men and there were 4 -36 legions depending on the Roman Age. The Roman Legion was defined by its eagle that was its Signa that defined the Roman Legion and was a national calamity if one was lost. The Roman Army only became more effective as reforms were passed up until around 250-350 AD when the Roman Army started to lose some of its advantages.