singular elements early roman military early oldest wealthiest men army afford high quality equipment wore heavy metal armor carried large shields usual position battle line equipped spears era fought shallow formation supported light troops battles lighter troops usually defeated enemy committed battle meant decisive force battle prompting old roman saying comes meant carrying bitter end history deployment evolved old class army kings class comprised richest soldiers legion equipped spears large shields like heavy greek served heavy infantry early roman army large formation time engagements appear taught romans importance flexibility rough hilly ground central italy era 4th century military formations 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 according wealth richest mounted armed spears metres feet long carried swords centimetres inches long case spear broke enemy drew close fought usually carrying large round greek shields bronze helmets number feathers fixed increase stature heavy plate armour favoured mail popular paint portraits ancestors shield believing bring luck battle type new roman legion formed military units men turn larger units stood line legion line second line pitched battle armed attached form legion harass enemy fire cover advance spear armed infantry failed break enemy fall let heavier experienced infantry break retire engage enemy turn expression come signaling act desperation pursue routing enemies poorer reserve soldiers troops armed support role providing mass supporting areas line system time second war late 3rd century system proved inefficient enemies series organic changes opposed single intentional reform new system gradually came infantry classes according age experience wealth experienced equipment role similar previous system carried large rectangular shields offered greater degree protection old round number reduced legion forming men line legion line second line phased replaced similar role attached pitched battles conducted similar fashion gather cover advance failed break enemy fall carried swords spears 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 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 implemented combat shortage manpower wars africa tribes north different classes units scrapped entirely wealth age requirements removed join career service city equipped state purchased equipment local irregular troops fulfill roles serving cavalry war describes instances roman allied regular heavy infantry equipped light equipment light supposedly common practice
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