The Ballista - giant crossbow The ballista was a powerful ancient crossbow. It fired iron tipped bolts towards the enemy positions. The bolts whistled through the air at some 50 metres per second, and carried a terrifying punch; they would go through armour, and cause instant death. The Onager - catapult The most powerful artillery piece in the Roman arsenal was the sling equipped Onager. It could fire rocks of up to 150 lbs (70 kgs) to be used to smash through walls and fortifications. Each rock was loaded into a sling on the end of an arm. The Scorpio - dart thrower - please read All the materials on these pages are free for homework and classroom use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on or without written permission from the author Mandy Barrow. | ©Copyright Mandy Barrow 2013 primaryhomeworkhelp.com I teach computers at The Granville School and St. John's Primary School in Sevenoaks Kent. Follow me on Twitter @mbarrow Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK ![roman weapons homework roman weapons homework](https://tracker.metricool.com/c3po.jpg?hash=583da8995f3bf53448b13ddf790ada6c) Ancient Roman WarfareServer costs fundraiser 2024. ![roman weapons homework Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/profile_photos/150-markzcartwright.JPG) With a huge reserve of resources in men and equipment and a culture geared for warfare , the Romans were relentless in expanding their borders and putting their neighbours to the sword. The Roman army , with its well-trained, well-equipped, and highly disciplined professional legions, was both feared and hated across the ancient world. Technological innovations in weaponry and superb logistics meant that Roman strategies in warfare became ever more varied and certainly more deadly. The Romans did sometimes suffer setbacks such as against Carthage during the Punic Wars , against the Parthians in Asia and, most ignominious of all, against the Germanic tribes. Nevertheless, it would not be until a millennium after its fall that warfare would return to the scale and professionalism that the Roman Empire had brought to the field of combat. In this collection, we examine some of the unique features of Roman warfare on land and sea. We look at the organisation of the Roman army, its weapons and tactics. And we look at that great spectacle of victory and the dream of every commander: the Roman Triumph . Julius Caesar 's Commentaries on the Gallic War describes the great commander's attention to logistics, decisiveness, and appearance of confidence and their positive effect on the morale of the troops. He also records the importance of innovation, patriotism, discipline, and fortune. In addition, a commander could greatly strengthen his chances of success before the battle by gathering military intelligence of the enemy from captives, dissenters, and deserters. Articles & Definitions![roman weapons homework Roman Warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/2118.png?v=1713180069) Roman Warfare![roman weapons homework Roman Army](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/1214.jpg?v=1723856109) Roman Naval Warfare![roman weapons homework Roman Cavalry](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/2634.jpg?v=1713180066) Roman Cavalry![roman weapons homework Roman Siege Warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/2286.jpg?v=1713180063) Roman Siege Warfare![roman weapons homework Roman Artillery](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/5180.jpg?v=1713047468) Roman Artillery![roman weapons homework Elephants in Greek & Roman Warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/4651.jpg?v=1723856116) Elephants in Greek & Roman Warfare![roman weapons homework Centurion](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/2736.jpg?v=1713180008) Roman Standard![roman weapons homework Gladius Hispaniensis](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/6128.jpg?v=1713180122) Gladius Hispaniensis![roman weapons homework Roman Triumph](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/5041.jpg?v=1718324763) Roman TriumphQuestions & answers, what was ancient rome warfare like, what did the romans use in warfare, how did the ancient romans fight, about the author. ![roman weapons homework Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/profile_photos/150-markzcartwright.JPG?v=1588174056) Free for the World, Supported by YouWorld History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. License & CopyrightUploaded by Mark Cartwright , published on 17 May 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike . This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. ![roman weapons homework Ancient Origins](https://www.ancient-origins.net/sites/default/files/Ancient-Origins-Logo-2.jpg) Roman Weapons: Sharp Blades to Conquer the Ancient WorldThe Romans were arguably one of the most successful conquerors of the ancient world. At the height of their power, the Roman Empire stretched from the British Isles in the north to Egypt in the south, and from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Mesopotamia in the east. A number of important factors contributed to their success as a military force, one of which being the weapons that they used. A Roman Sword – The GladiusProbably the most iconic weapon in the arsenal of a Roman legionary (a professional heavy infantryman serving in the Roman army after the Marian reforms) was the gladius (which is Latin for ‘sword’). This weapon is known also as the ‘Hispanic Sword’, as it was adapted from the blades used by tribal warriors living in the Iberian Peninsula. It was during the Second Punic War against Carthage that the Roman general, Scipio Africanus , encountered this weapon, took a liking to it, and began equipping his soldiers with it. ![roman weapons homework Swords were significant Roman weapons. (AWP /Adobe Stock)](https://www.ancient-origins.net/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Swords-were-significant-Roman-.jpg?itok=a-XIbpMd) Swords were significant Roman weapons. ( AWP /Adobe Stock ) Based on the archaeological evidence, several types of gladii have been discovered, indicating that the weapon evolved according to time. The best-known type is the so-called ‘Pompeii gladius’, as examples of this gladius were found there. This gladius had a blade that was about 50 cm (20 inches) long, which is considerably short for a sword. It was a double-edged sword, and was an effective slashing weapon. It was, however, used primarily for stabbing, and its triangular point did this job perfectly. The gladius was best-used for extremely close-quarters combat, where longer swords or spears were rendered useless due to the lack of room to maneuver. - The Real Lives of the Gladiators of Rome – The Unfathomable Sport of Life and Death
- Gladiatrix: Female Fighters Offered Lewd Entertainment in Ancient Rome
- The Praetorian Guards: To Serve and Protect the Roman Emperors… Most of the Time
![roman weapons homework Replica pseudo-Pompeii gladius. (Rama/CC BY SA 3.0)](https://www.ancient-origins.net/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Replica-pseudo-Pompeii-gladius.jpg?itok=vtIBvY33) Replica pseudo-Pompeii gladius. (Rama/ CC BY SA 3.0 ) Protection with the ScutumClose-quarters combat, however, was dangerous, and the Roman legionaries needed suitable protection whilst approaching the enemy. Therefore, the gladius was paired with a shield known as a scutum. This was a large curved shield that was adapted from the Italic peoples whom the Romans fought against. The scutum was made by gluing layers of wood together, which was then covered with leather. This meant that the shield was light enough for a soldier to hold it with one hand. To reinforce the shield, metal was added on its outer rim. In the center of the scutum was a metal boss, which allowed the shield to function as an auxiliary punching weapon. The scutum’s boss could be used to knock an enemy to the ground, after which the Roman legionary could finish him off with his gladius. ![roman weapons homework This shield is the only known surviving example of the examples known as a scutum. It was found at Dura Europos. (Public Domain)](https://www.ancient-origins.net/sites/default/files/This-shield-is-the-only-known-surviving-example-.jpg) This shield is the only known surviving example of the examples known as a scutum. It was found at Dura Europos. ( Public Domain ) The Roman PilumAnother weapon in the arsenal of the Roman legionary was the pilum. This was a wooden javelin with an iron spike, the tip of which was harder and wider than its shaft. This clever design meant that if the spike of the pilum hit an enemy shield of the ground at an angle, it would bend, making it impossible to throw back at the Romans. Each Roman legionary would have two pila at his disposal, which would be thrown at the enemy before a charge. The pila was lethal enough to kill an enemy, or, if it got stuck on a shield, rendered it useless, and made the warrior more vulnerable. ![roman weapons homework A Roman legionary with a pilum and scutum. (Triarii/Deviant Art)](https://www.ancient-origins.net/sites/default/files/A-Roman-legionary.jpg) A Roman legionary with a pilum and scutum. (Triarii/ Deviant Art ) Roman Siege WeaponsThe Romans also developed a number of war machines that were used on the battlefield. One of these, for instance, was the ballista, which was a giant crossbow-like weapon consisting of two levers with torsion springs, and a slider on which ammunition (either metal darts of spherical stones) was loaded. Although the ballista was a Greek invention, its design and technology was improved by the Romans. - Catapult: The Long-Reaching History of a Prominent Medieval Siege Engine
- Weapons Control in Ancient Greece: When an Accident was Deadly
- 10 Innovative Medieval Weapons: You Would Not Want To Be At The Sharp End Of These!
![roman weapons homework Reproduction of a Roman ballista. (fuguestock/Deviant Art)](https://www.ancient-origins.net/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Reproduction-of-a-Roman-ballista.jpg?itok=kKS3v69q) Reproduction of a Roman ballista. (fuguestock/ Deviant Art ) It is recorded that the ballista was used extensively by Julius Caesar during his campaigns in Gaul and in Britain. Another Roman war machine was the onager , which, like the ballista, relied on torsion for power. Unlike the ballista, however, this war machine was mainly used a siege engine to destroy fortifications and other enemy buildings. The onager was essentially a type of catapult, consisting of a large frame on the ground, a vertical frame on the front, and an arm in the middle. The onager was used to hurl large stones, which could be set alight to cause more damage. This siege engine was famously used by the Romans against the Greek city states, and during the siege of Carthage. ![roman weapons homework Onager with sling from Ralph Payne-Gallwey's book "The Projectile Throwing Engines of the Ancients" (1907). (Public Domain)](https://www.ancient-origins.net/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Onager-with-sling-from-Ralph-Payne-Gallweys-book.jpg?itok=r4QVqg1t) Onager with sling from Ralph Payne-Gallwey's book "The Projectile Throwing Engines of the Ancients" (1907). ( Public Domain ) Top image: Roman weapons were vital to protecting and conquering the ancient world. Source: Fernando Cortés /Adobe Stock By Wu Mingren Guest Blogger, 2017. The Roman Weapon: The Legion Armaments. Available at: https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/the-roman-weapon.html Ricketts, C., 2018. 3 Important Roman Legionary Weapons. Available at: https://www.historyhit.com/roman-legionary-weapons/ sites.psu.edu, 2014. Roman Weapons and Armor. Available at: http://sites.psu.edu/grandromanstrategy/2014/04/03/roman-weapons-and-armor/ www.ancientmilitary.com , 2010. Roman Weapons. Available at: http://www.ancientmilitary.com/roman-weapons.htm www.romae-vitam.com , 2018. Roman Weapons. Available at: https://www.romae-vitam.com/roman-weapons.html www.unrv.com , 2018. Roman Legionary Weapons and Equipment. Available at: https://www.unrv.com/military/legionary-weapons-equipment.php ![Crasslee's picture Crasslee's picture](https://www.ancient-origins.net/sites/default/files/styles/image_105x105/public/pictures/picture-17976-1631320500.png?itok=l59DKsBv) It should be noted that the picture provided to illustrate the Pilum, actually shows a legionary with a spear. ![Ed Whelan's picture Ed Whelan's picture](https://www.ancient-origins.net/sites/default/files/styles/image_105x105/public/pictures/picture-69126-1525211857.jpg?itok=6Twk_afk) My name is Edward Whelan and I graduated with a PhD in history in 2008. Between 2010-2012 I worked in the Limerick City Archives. I have written a book and several peer reviewed journal articles. At present I am a... Read More ![](//writinghelp.online/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif) |
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
The legionary's personal weapons were two javelins, a sword and a dagger. Gladius- sword. The sword was very important. It was light and short (no more than 50 cm) so soldiers can use it for stabbing quickly. The legionary wore his sword high on the right side of his body.
From javelins and swords to huge missile launchers, the ancient Romans had a variety of weapons to aid them in their conquest of the world. Read and learn more about Roman weapons.
The Romans often copied weapons, both offensive and defensive, from their enemies, adopting such items as mail armor, cavalry harnesses, horned saddles as well as siege weapons such as battering rams and siege towers.
All Roman soldiers wore a uniform and armour to protect them against being wounded in battle. A legionary wore a linen undershirt and a tunic made of wool.
This bundle includes 10 ready-to-use Roman Solider worksheets that are perfect for students to learn about the Roman Army which had as many as 28,000 – 179,200 soldiers and most of those were legionaries.
The most powerful artillery piece in the Roman arsenal was the sling equipped Onager. It could fire rocks of up to 150 lbs (70 kgs) to be used to smash through walls and fortifications. Each rock was loaded into a sling on the end of an arm.
Roman weapons were diverse, gruesome, and effective in helping soldiers dominate their enemies in battle. The 3 main weapons used by Roman officers were the pilum, the gladius, and the pugio. Armour, clothing, and accessories also played a key role for soldiers in battle.
A fantastic history teaching pack for KS2 about Roman Weapons, armour and methods of war, including PowerPoint, activities, fact cards and display pack.
In this collection, we examine some of the unique features of Roman warfare on land and sea. We look at the organisation of the Roman army, its weapons and tactics. And we look at that great spectacle of victory and the dream of every commander: the Roman Triumph.
A Roman Sword – The Gladius. Probably the most iconic weapon in the arsenal of a Roman legionary (a professional heavy infantryman serving in the Roman army after the Marian reforms) was the gladius (which is Latin for ‘sword’).