3.2 - The Roman Army

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3.2 - The Roman Army

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Today

After this lesson you'll be able to explain the following: 

'What made the Roman army so powerful?'

Video - Spartacus

This scene is from an old film about Spartacus, a gladiator who rebels against Rome. It is made before films used computer effects. It's not a 100% accurate, but it gives you a nice idea.

Watch the first 4 minutes and pay attention to the Roman army.

How would you describe the Roman army?

How do you think these things help when you fight in a battle?

Note: the Roman army

The Roman army

Legion: a roman army 

The Romans took war very seriously

1. The Romans were one of the firsts to use full-time soldiers.

2. The government took care of weapons and training. 

3. During battle the Romans were very organised and disciplined.

Beaten by the Romans?

You could keep your gods and traditions. 

You would pay tribute (a type of tax) in goods.

Men would fight in the Roman army as auxiliaries (foreign support soldier). 

Did you write down all of these key words? 

Legion: a Roman army

Tribute: a type of tax

Auxiliaries: foreign support soldiers

Why didn't the romans conquer the world?

Battle of Carrhae

During the battle of Carrhae a large Roman army was ambushed by the Parthians (they lived in what is now Iran). The Romans didn't know the terrain, they could not deal with the heat and they weren't used to the style of fighting used by the Parthians. After this defeat the Romans tried conquering Parthia a few more times but only had limited success. 

Battle of the Teutoburg forest

A Roman army was ambushed by an army of Germanic tribes. The Romans were on their way to their winter camp, marching through a dark forest, when their allies betrayed them. After this defeat the Romans never really attempted to conquer 'Germania'.

How did the Romans get defeated in the Teutoburg forest?

Click the link for the questions 

There is a link to the video in the next slide 

Its okay to put the subtitles on 

Maybe slow down play speed?