Daily Life
The armor that legionaries had to wear.
Life in the legions was rugged and rough, especially training. Legionaries were required to undergo rigorous weapons training, and were later trained to go on long daily marches while wearing their heavy armor and pack.
During the warm months, legions would go on daily marches for 10-2o miles. They made camp daily and made their own meals, usually stew. The legionaries lived in mess/tent units of 8 called contuberniums.
During the winter months, time was spent at permanent fortifications. Here, the legionaries made repairs and additions to the fortifications and watched over the nearby towns and cities. They also helped with building in the towns, and often made roads. Legionaries were discouraged and sometimes forbidden from marrying, so they didn't have to worry about returning to their family.
During the warm months, legions would go on daily marches for 10-2o miles. They made camp daily and made their own meals, usually stew. The legionaries lived in mess/tent units of 8 called contuberniums.
During the winter months, time was spent at permanent fortifications. Here, the legionaries made repairs and additions to the fortifications and watched over the nearby towns and cities. They also helped with building in the towns, and often made roads. Legionaries were discouraged and sometimes forbidden from marrying, so they didn't have to worry about returning to their family.
Daily Life pertaining to the Legio II Traiana Fortis
Carving depicting the Dacian Wars
During the Dacian and Parthian campaigns, much of the legion's time was spent fighting the rival armies. These times involved lots of marches and relocation across vast distances. In Judea, the legion stayed at a fortification, and the legionaries spent much of their time guarding various cities and putting down riots. In Nicopolis, the legion mainly guarded the area of upper Egypt. During the Alexandria revolts, the legion fought with the rebels. During the rest of their time in Egypt, they merely stood guard and tended to duties in the city.
Military Units
A centurion
Life was different for certain soldiers depending on their position. Only Roman citizens could be legionaries, but non-citizens living in the provinces could be part of the auxiliary forces. The auxiliary soldiers, however, were paid much less than the legionaries.
A century was a unit made up of 10 contubernia (80 soldiers in total). A centurion commanded each century. The centurion led the century in battle and had disciplinary rights over the legionaries. They were also paid more. A cohort was a unit made of 6 centuries. This was led by a senior centurion, who had authority over the other centurions. One legion was made up of 10 cohortes, and was led by the Legatus. The Legatus had authority over every soldier and centurion in the legion, and were also the highest paid.
A century was a unit made up of 10 contubernia (80 soldiers in total). A centurion commanded each century. The centurion led the century in battle and had disciplinary rights over the legionaries. They were also paid more. A cohort was a unit made of 6 centuries. This was led by a senior centurion, who had authority over the other centurions. One legion was made up of 10 cohortes, and was led by the Legatus. The Legatus had authority over every soldier and centurion in the legion, and were also the highest paid.