Army Organisation Vital

The Roman Army's impressive organisation is being hailed as the main reason for its success in conquering Britannia and its war-like tribes.

Rome has what is believed to be the world's first full-time professional army. Soldiers are called legionaries. They are mainly foot-soldiers and are fit and healthy Roman citizens. There is very good discipline. The army is carefully built up from small groups into large forces called legions. A legate commands a legion, helped by six tribunes.

Each legion has up to 6,000 soldiers. It has a number and official name.

The smallest group in a legion is a contubernium. It is made up of eight soldiers. They work, march, fight in battle, cook, eat and share a tent together.

Ten contubernia equals a century, with a centurion in charge. Centurions lead their troops in battle themselves and are responsible for discipline.

Britannia's tribal chiefs are unable to match such rigid and effective organisation among their aggressive but part-time fighters.