singular class infantry armies early originally fought later soldiers staple unit rome threw rule originally men legion afford modest equipment light miscellaneous equipment senate supplied soldiers short stabbing sword distinctive squared shields soldier typically equipped soft iron tipped throwing spears called doubled effectiveness strong leading edge stand missile troop later contained younger men poorer men age relatively poor usual position battle line fought formation supported light troops enemy allowed penetrate battle line consisting enemy deal hardened seasoned soldiers eventually away reforms history deployment appear remnants old class army kings reformed class stood ranks large equipped similar manner relegated providing missile support higher classes fighting probable engagements crushing defeat hands lots smaller military units large ones taught romans importance flexibility rough hilly ground central italy system 4th century military romans inherited use efficiency doubtful proved effective rome largely local adversaries invaded inhabitants requested help rome small contingent rome sent repel invaders provoked scale attack rome entire roman army destroyed battle crushing defeat prompted reforms new system men classes based wealth slightly poorer slightly armed short spears metres long soldiers acquired fought formation usually carrying large rectangular shields bronze helmets number feathers fixed increase stature wore light armour common form small called heart type legion formed military units men attached armed light infantry stood battle line second line pitched battle form legion harass enemy fire cover advance failed break enemy engagement fall let heavier break retire engage enemy turn pursue routing enemies final battle line troops support role providing mass reinforcing areas line system time wars 3rd century system organisation found inefficient new system infantry classes according age experience wealth youngest experienced equipment role similar previous system carried swords instead spears carried heavy contrary deeply entrenched myth bend impact struck shield useless prevent weapon thrown weight sufficiently hampered struck shield penetrating shield hit man iron sufficiently hard hand held spears infantry cavalry time volley reached enemy line usually yards distant best effect charging quickly work swords rarely time foe find pull hit throw increased number legion formed men away replaced similar role attached pitched battles conducted similar fashion gather cover advance failed break enemy fall armed swords break retire engage enemy order battle followed battle great plains battle notable exceptions great plains roman general formed men usual manner begun engage enemy flanking force routing opposing troops arranged men columns large lanes opposing elephants drawn lanes killed inflicting casualties romans surviving elephants routed formed men long line centre flanks ready engage infantry reforms formal military reforms intended combat shortage manpower wars africa tribes north different classes units away entirely wealth age requirements scrapped soldiers join career service city equipped medium infantry state purchased equipment local irregular troops fulfill roles serving cavalry
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