What reenactments would you like to see us cover? Download Fishing Clash on your iOS/Android device for free fishingclash.link/Invicta! Use my gift code INVICTA to get an awesome reward for a total value of $20!
You hit another home run Invicta! Please invite the Veteres Milites back for future episodes! They did such a fantastic job and its always really helpful to have such dedicated reenactors provide top notch visual aids. Cheers!
That was probably the military nickname that he was given by the other soldiers. I guess even in Roman times the tradition of nicknames was a thing in the military
@Dam Big Foot romans drew pp's on their sling missiles. We draw pp's on portajohns and Artillery rounds and bombs. The year may change but soldiers never do
I love these letters you have shown us in recent videos. Hearing from the soldiers and their families across a thousand years never fails to make me smile.
The early Republican Roman army is such a fascinating subject. It's evolution to conquering army of empire is quite an escalation, time to give Rome Total War a revisit and take on tour.
I was just about to say I feel like playing total war now lol I love to watch this channel and these type of videos while I’m doing a playthrough. It immerses me even more.
Following this the recruits will receive their signing bonus of 3 gold coins. In the time of Augustus this was valued at around 4 months pay. Our boys are delighted at this newfound wealth, but discover that it quickly evaporates on payments for this new most sick “Dodgerus Chargerius” which they have brought for transportation. 12:45
The Roman military built a large fort in the conquered lands of Gaul. Within a week, the local tribes had built the first Pay Day Loan shop right outside of the gates.
@@Menaceblue3 Until the time of Septimus Severus legion marriage was forbidden by Roman law. Augustus complicated legion social logistics with Lex Julia de maritandis ordinibus and lex Julia de adulteriis coercendis, in addition to reiterating the law banning legion marriage. If the Legion accepted any married applicant into its force, this constituted immediate legal divorce. Many legionaires did "exclusive subscriptions" with some of the camp followers to get around the bans ... The ban served several functions: the legion, specifically the contubernales, became the only recognized family. Any children from relationships outside the camp were illegitimate and could not inherit Roman citizenship or property. The legion gained a preferential pool of applicants from local populations ( i.e. the children of the legionaires). The parental legionaires were motivated by familial responsibility to accept local land grants instead of retirement discharge bonuses. This provided a pool of Roman citizen residents to function as evocati (reserves) for at least four years.
Definitely one of the best history channels on TH-cam. Other channels have a bias in their narrative, as many people do when writing a script for a historical subject.
12:40 very interestingly how the roman repubblic was still considered as completely valid despite serving the emperor. It reminds me of when Justinian wrote in his laws in ordser to defend the roman repubblic. In the 6th century ad...
I think you may be confused by the term "republic" as it was understood throughout history. It is one of these things that have been extremely misused, missunderstood and distorded (sometimes purposefully) through the idealising lense of the renaissance/modern/enlightenement eras (like many things when it comes to roman history). What we call a "republic" nowadays wasn't necessarily what a roman would call the "res publica." For latin speakers, the "res publica" just meant "public business","politics", or, more importantly, "the nation". By taking an oath to the "res publica" roman soldiers were taking oath to Rome, not the particular system we call the "roman republic", even less so to the actual concept of a Republic as understood by politicians today. Same thing for Justinian and his will to preserve the "res publica" (= Rome). Since then, the meaning has shifted and is restricted to a specific system of political organisation (in that case the roman republic), but it wasn't always like that.
The Romans for hundreds of years after the Empire was created, still viewed themselves as living in a Republic, and most of the Roman Institutions during the Empire continued to operate like during the Republic.
This isn't too different than when I joined the Army in 1984. Physical exam, questioning, then ship out to basic training. In my case it was Fort Benning, Georgia for one-station-unit training to become part of the Brotherhood of US Army Infantrymen.
They were softer back then. No duck walking and bending over to look at their rear ends. What Roman recruits went through sounds like a cakewalk compared to MEPS. 😆
The mother's horror at her son joining the legions has echoes throughout the ages. In 1877 William Robertson enlisted as a trooper (private) in the British Army. His mother was horrified, writing to him: "..I shall name it to no one for I am ashamed to think of it...I would rather bury you than see you in a red coat". Very unusually, however, he rose from the ranks to become the professional head of the British Army and a field marshal (5*).....
When my nephew was a little boy I was forbidden to buy any war toys such as cap guns or toy soldiers by his mother. Ironically when he grew to be a man he joined the United States Marine Corps and served as a lead gunner in Afghanistan much to his mother's horror. He was wounded in action and received a Purple Heart. He now holds two masters degrees and is Veteran's Benefits Administrator for his city.
Just one small thing here - I don't think Roman citizen volunteers would have been pushed around like that in the early imperial army. Not until training camp, at least.
@@InvictaHistory Yeah it could all be friendly. If they are the sons of Legionaries who had served in the same unit they join they might know some of the senior soldiers (either from them visiting their fathers while on leave or even - if they were "camp born" and the marriages to their mothers were legalized after discharge of their fathers - from when they were little kids living close to the camp).
No clue about Rome, but in America you are most definitely treated like that at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station). Until you sign your contract at the end, you are 100% a civilian and citizen when you go there.
"where are you from, recruit?" "sir! hispania sir!" "jupiter! only tops and bottoms come from hispania, and you don't look like a top, so that kinda narrows it down..."
Unfortunately the Roman army was disbanded in 1453 at the fall of Constantinople so no one can join now 😔 Trebizond, Morea and Theodoro kingdoms were only naff rump vassal states so they don’t count really.
"'Join the army', the recruiter said. 'See the world, earn Roman citizenship, maybe even capture yourself a few slaves,' he said. What he DIDN'T say was that I'd be drilling every day, laying pavement every stinking stadion from Rome to bloody Britannia and back, and if even ONE of my cohort decided to flee a battle, the rest of us would count off by tens and the poor sot who was Number X would get stabbed to death by the other IX as punishment. Yep, life in the Roman Army is glorious, alright... Jove's balls, I shoulda stayed a barbarian!"
Very interesting, As someone who loves Roman History its strange I never thought about how these armies are formed in the first place. As always blown away about how well documented Roman History is even for "lowly" soldiers
Thank you very much ありがとうございます I always enjoy your videos very very much please continue and I hope the longer this comment is the more it helps your algorithm
although being in the army is too risky, yet in life, there is so much camaraderie, orderliness, regularity in money, fun, adventure, and excitement in a group of men you treat more than brothers sharing so many sentiments with you, which could never be have in a lifetime outside the group in any occasion.
I got $630 SGD every month (that was around 2011 though) during my 2 years National Service. Plus some watch worth $100 and a certificate of appreciation when I completed my 2 years.
The interesting thing about the word Sacramentum, it is the origin of the word sacrament what we have in church for baptism - marriage etc... That meant a change in your way of life- Tertullian
One question I have is that often times in antiquity specifically around the age of Caesar we see the recruitment of Greek legions. Were the legions and legionaries the same as roman citizen legions or were they seen as auxiliary legions?
If I had to guess, I would hedge that they were seen as roughly equal, even if they were not quite the same. The fact that they're entire legions on their own rather than filler ranks inside of a Roman legion speaks a bit for itself. That was one thing that Hellenization did. It bridged the gap between the pagan cultures and gods of the Latin and Greek kingdoms.
Legions of that time could only be from Roman citizens.Even if none-roman was accepted in the legions he would be First given citizenship. So as Legionaries they were definitelly not regarded as Auxiliaries. I don't know what specific case you have on mind and if those Greeks were for example Roman citizens from local Roman colonies. If they were indeed Greeks though they would likely be despised by Italic recruits since those composed absolute majority of the legions in Caesars time. It is attested that later Italics looked upon provincial recruits with scorn and insulted them as "barbarians".
Legionaries marched and marched and MARCHED, under heavy loads in training or on campaign, normally 10-12 miles per day. Unless they scored a sedentary assignment such as company clerk, they would be on their feet all day. Roman army boot-sandals were anything but ergonomic. So I think the physical should have included what remains standard today: a thorough check of the recruits' legs and feet. For deformities or old injuries; flat feet; other conditions too like splayed feet or pigeon toes, that would make the soldier a burden who might not even complete basic training due to walking too slowly and/or painfully, falling out on route marches, getting shin splints etc. The veteran soldiers would also be on top of foot/mobility problems the moment they saw them, I think. Even now, "symptomatic" flat feet are a hard disqualifier in US military recruiting, despite our we-drive-there culture.
Great video really enjoyed learning about how the romans got into recuritment of soldiers. I think that my only question that I would have is what was the purpose of the earth when doing the oath does it have to do with protecting the empire?
![fellow fellow - พรุ่งนี้ไม่มีใครรู้ feat. INK WARUNTORN [OFFICIAL MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QP6JyjYx_W0/mqdefault.jpg)
What reenactments would you like to see us cover? Download Fishing Clash on your iOS/Android device for free fishingclash.link/Invicta! Use my gift code INVICTA to get an awesome reward for a total value of $20!
Any and all re-enactments honestly! Would love some late medieval army stuff, the comparisons to ancients would be quite interesting.
🐺
You hit another home run Invicta! Please invite the Veteres Milites back for future episodes! They did such a fantastic job and its always really helpful to have such dedicated reenactors provide top notch visual aids. Cheers!
This video was a nice look into the Roman army.
I would love to see how fresh produce from the farm reach the home table in the empire. And how they dealt with easily perishable produces and stuff.
I love the fact that a soldier named himself Big Tony. 15:03
I sure hope he got to live a long and prosperous life
That was probably the military nickname that he was given by the other soldiers. I guess even in Roman times the tradition of nicknames was a thing in the military
@Dam Big Foot romans drew pp's on their sling missiles. We draw pp's on portajohns and Artillery rounds and bombs. The year may change but soldiers never do
As long it’s not Nortius Maximus.😂
@@中山政-w5z or Biggus Dickus
@@kralik394 He has a wife you know, would you like to know what HER name is?...
I love these letters you have shown us in recent videos. Hearing from the soldiers and their families across a thousand years never fails to make me smile.
The early Republican Roman army is such a fascinating subject. It's evolution to conquering army of empire is quite an escalation, time to give Rome Total War a revisit and take on tour.
Make it hard. Use only rorarii. What are they even??😅
I was just about to say I feel like playing total war now lol I love to watch this channel and these type of videos while I’m doing a playthrough. It immerses me even more.
Following this the recruits will receive their signing bonus of 3 gold coins. In the time of Augustus this was valued at around 4 months pay. Our boys are delighted at this newfound wealth, but discover that it quickly evaporates on payments for this new most sick “Dodgerus Chargerius” which they have brought for transportation. 12:45
It could be worse....
Getting married in your first year of enlistment to a harlot from the outer territories
The Roman military built a large fort in the conquered lands of Gaul. Within a week, the local tribes had built the first Pay Day Loan shop right outside of the gates.
35% APR on that bad boy
@@Menaceblue3 Until the time of Septimus Severus legion marriage was forbidden by Roman law. Augustus complicated legion social logistics with Lex Julia de maritandis ordinibus and lex Julia de adulteriis coercendis, in addition to reiterating the law banning legion marriage. If the Legion accepted any married applicant into its force, this constituted immediate legal divorce. Many legionaires did "exclusive subscriptions" with some of the camp followers to get around the bans ...
The ban served several functions: the legion, specifically the contubernales, became the only recognized family. Any children from relationships outside the camp were illegitimate and could not inherit Roman citizenship or property. The legion gained a preferential pool of applicants from local populations ( i.e. the children of the legionaires). The parental legionaires were motivated by familial responsibility to accept local land grants instead of retirement discharge bonuses. This provided a pool of Roman citizen residents to function as evocati (reserves) for at least four years.
Definitely one of the best history channels on TH-cam. Other channels have a bias in their narrative, as many people do when writing a script for a historical subject.
Would like to learn more about the detailed workings of veteran colonies 😊
Yeah. They sounded like an amazing premise for an action movie.
Yeah we need that video asap!
A question I never thought of and now needed the answer 😁
Thanks for providing both 👍
Invicta is a REAL ONE. Top notch product. I use this and kings and generals to teach my kid.
12:40 very interestingly how the roman repubblic was still considered as completely valid despite serving the emperor. It reminds me of when Justinian wrote in his laws in ordser to defend the roman repubblic. In the 6th century ad...
The institutions of the Roman Republic were still alive, like the senate, but they were puppeted by the emperors
I think you may be confused by the term "republic" as it was understood throughout history. It is one of these things that have been extremely misused, missunderstood and distorded (sometimes purposefully) through the idealising lense of the renaissance/modern/enlightenement eras (like many things when it comes to roman history).
What we call a "republic" nowadays wasn't necessarily what a roman would call the "res publica."
For latin speakers, the "res publica" just meant "public business","politics", or, more importantly, "the nation".
By taking an oath to the "res publica" roman soldiers were taking oath to Rome, not the particular system we call the "roman republic", even less so to the actual concept of a Republic as understood by politicians today. Same thing for Justinian and his will to preserve the "res publica" (= Rome).
Since then, the meaning has shifted and is restricted to a specific system of political organisation (in that case the roman republic), but it wasn't always like that.
The Romans for hundreds of years after the Empire was created, still viewed themselves as living in a Republic, and most of the Roman Institutions during the Empire continued to operate like during the Republic.
@@remilenoir1271 Thank you for explaining that that is very interesting
Not surprised. Rome was an empire long before the Republic it stood for died...
This isn't too different than when I joined the Army in 1984. Physical exam, questioning, then ship out to basic training. In my case it was Fort Benning, Georgia for one-station-unit training to become part of the Brotherhood of US Army Infantrymen.
They were softer back then. No duck walking and bending over to look at their rear ends. What Roman recruits went through sounds like a cakewalk compared to MEPS. 😆
K....
all this bureoucracy seems awfully familiar... and the romans were already doing this back in antiquity, with a full veteran benefits program and all.
Though, with such a bureaucraci, I suspect many were able to bribe their way in....
I like to imagine a couple old Roman vets bitching about their records getting lost and it screwing with their retirement benefits.
This is very well done. Props to the people bringing us these videos
It is great to see these topics that are sometimes underappreciated during the existence of the Roman Empire
Thank you for the fantastic script, narration and reenactment !
Commenting to Signal boost. as always, a great video.
appreciate it : )
A great way to make these anonymous people come to life. Loving your videos guys
The mother's horror at her son joining the legions has echoes throughout the ages. In 1877 William Robertson enlisted as a trooper (private) in the British Army. His mother was horrified, writing to him: "..I shall name it to no one for I am ashamed to think of it...I would rather bury you than see you in a red coat".
Very unusually, however, he rose from the ranks to become the professional head of the British Army and a field marshal (5*).....
Damn. These words were harsh, from the mother.
When my nephew was a little boy I was forbidden to buy any war toys such as cap guns or toy soldiers by his mother. Ironically when he grew to be a man he joined the United States Marine Corps and served as a lead gunner in Afghanistan much to his mother's horror. He was wounded in action and received a Purple Heart. He now holds two masters degrees and is Veteran's Benefits Administrator for his city.
It's very interesting that among the benefits for completing service was housing specifically with all of your cohort-mates. Sounds like a good idea
0:44 Ah, the doctrine of hurry up and wait. Universal to any and all militaries regardless of where or when.
No stirrups on the horses, that's dedication.
Just one small thing here - I don't think Roman citizen volunteers would have been pushed around like that in the early imperial army. Not until training camp, at least.
good point, although in this scenario perhaps they know the recruits and are joking around a bit
@@InvictaHistory Yeah it could all be friendly. If they are the sons of Legionaries who had served in the same unit they join they might know some of the senior soldiers (either from them visiting their fathers while on leave or even - if they were "camp born" and the marriages to their mothers were legalized after discharge of their fathers - from when they were little kids living close to the camp).
No clue about Rome, but in America you are most definitely treated like that at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station). Until you sign your contract at the end, you are 100% a civilian and citizen when you go there.
@@smokeydapot You got pushed and shoved around like that? I didn't... Bossed around, sure, but nothing more than that.
This new format is amazing, thanks Invicta!!
"where are you from, recruit?"
"sir! hispania sir!"
"jupiter! only tops and bottoms come from hispania, and you don't look like a top, so that kinda narrows it down..."
Here's a second comment for the algorithm. Invicta is quality history production
Unfortunately the Roman army was disbanded in 1453 at the fall of Constantinople so no one can join now 😔
Trebizond, Morea and Theodoro kingdoms were only naff rump vassal states so they don’t count really.
America the new Rome
@@aarongriego429 America is more like Carthage, because they’re filthy merchants.
In decline. Russia will be the next to rise. Wide open spaces and resources.
@@aarongriego429 america is a lame version of rome then
@@ivansoric7820 Should we bring back slavery?
Excellent work and great reenactors !
Signing bonuses were actually a thing back then. That was the biggest surprise I walked away from this with.
The whole process sounds almost identical to going through MEPS today.
I’ve been watching too much Tolkien stuff, thought this was titled “Joining the Rohan army”.
This is such a fantastic video. I would love to see more like it.
"'Join the army', the recruiter said. 'See the world, earn Roman citizenship, maybe even capture yourself a few slaves,' he said. What he DIDN'T say was that I'd be drilling every day, laying pavement every stinking stadion from Rome to bloody Britannia and back, and if even ONE of my cohort decided to flee a battle, the rest of us would count off by tens and the poor sot who was Number X would get stabbed to death by the other IX as punishment. Yep, life in the Roman Army is glorious, alright... Jove's balls, I shoulda stayed a barbarian!"
This videos are amazing i love ancient rome reenactments like this! so cool to see
Great video, I love Roman history 👍
Very interesting, As someone who loves Roman History its strange I never thought about how these armies are formed in the first place. As always blown away about how well documented Roman History is even for "lowly" soldiers
The letter of devotion from the son to the father is quite moving.
Thank you very much
ありがとうございます
I always enjoy your videos very very much please continue and I hope the longer this comment is the more it helps your algorithm
Fantastic video! ⚔🔥🙌
5'11 roman feet (175.3 cm) sounds very very high considering how much shorter the average person was back then!
Which is why it was probably more of a desire to have people that tall, not a requirement.
@@alinalexandru2466 Well I'm sure they'd "desire" everyone to be 6'6, it'd just be nice to have some more context about what that value actually meant
I love these collaborations
Now that's soldiering.
although being in the army is too risky, yet in life, there is so much camaraderie, orderliness, regularity in money, fun, adventure, and excitement in a group of men you treat more than brothers sharing so many sentiments with you, which could never be have in a lifetime outside the group in any occasion.
Great work. Thank you.
Awesome video, the reenactment makes all the difference!
Thanks. Now I know how it's like before joining.
What an insight. I was quite amazed when he said that any identifying marks would be put on record incase they had to find the individual. Incredible.
The military I'd in the form of a phallus on the arm,(13:48) interesting.
Thanks for the vid!
Thanks for the guide, ill be training for the next legion recruitment
Excellent documentary, specially for someone that (like I myself) is not a scholar but admires the greatness of Roman civilization.
You don't have to be a scholar to have knowledge of this. And scholars have the very same sources to study as any body else.
Hell yeah, fishing ad!!!!!!!!
One of the best history channels on TH-cam.
Amazing video, guys!
I find it hewrtwarming to find the drawing of phalluses on your fellow soldier/sailor dates back over three thousand years.
Do you plan on doing a video on those 4 months of training in the future?
We actually already did. It's called Roman Army Basic Training: th-cam.com/video/cIEbLk9km1M/w-d-xo.html
this is one cool ass video keep it up!!
Thanks for the video❤
Soldiers never change,
Need 4k! Great Video!
6:05 man went like "Man I'm outta here" xD
awesome video btw
4 months signing bonus. Better than what I got for joining the US military
Do your travel, equipment and accommodation expenses get deducted from your pay, though?
I got $630 SGD every month (that was around 2011 though) during my 2 years National Service. Plus some watch worth $100 and a certificate of appreciation when I completed my 2 years.
Thanks for a good video 👍🏻
>Enlist
>Get signing bonus
>Get screwed out of bonus
Some things never change
That recruiting procedure showed that Italian culture hasn't changed much in terms of its foundation. That was interesting.
The interesting thing about the word Sacramentum, it is the origin of the word sacrament what we have in church for baptism - marriage etc... That meant a change in your way of life- Tertullian
Love these!
9:35 ah yes just like at MEPS with the naked Olympics, whose main event it the dock walk lol
Awesome video
Do you have any information on what the "postal system" was like then?
I think a simple bronze ring with the Legions number could be counted as a "mark".
It would be really wonderful if you put your sources in the description. Realy want to read those letters :D
Impressive shots, but they were taken in Romania. It would have been cooler if we saw the Roman army cosplay in their original home, Latium.
Must be after Trajan's conquest if they are recruiting in Dacia
What's the problem? Recruitment was done all over the Empire about the same way.
Dude, these are still Roman legionnaires serving under the Aquila of Rome...
13:43 goes to show that we have more in common with our ancestors than we know. Just like Roman graffiti, or sling missiles with fun engravings!
13:43 Even back then people drew dicks on everything. People never change
One question I have is that often times in antiquity specifically around the age of Caesar we see the recruitment of Greek legions. Were the legions and legionaries the same as roman citizen legions or were they seen as auxiliary legions?
If I had to guess, I would hedge that they were seen as roughly equal, even if they were not quite the same. The fact that they're entire legions on their own rather than filler ranks inside of a Roman legion speaks a bit for itself.
That was one thing that Hellenization did. It bridged the gap between the pagan cultures and gods of the Latin and Greek kingdoms.
Legions of that time could only be from Roman citizens.Even if none-roman was accepted in the legions he would be First given citizenship. So as Legionaries they were definitelly not regarded as Auxiliaries. I don't know what specific case you have on mind and if those Greeks were for example Roman citizens from local Roman colonies. If they were indeed Greeks though they would likely be despised by Italic recruits since those composed absolute majority of the legions in Caesars time. It is attested that later Italics looked upon provincial recruits with scorn and insulted them as "barbarians".
Thank you.
"Certainly if given the chance, fellow soldiers would find their own ways to brand soldiers through hazing".
The hazing: PEEN
Legionaries marched and marched and MARCHED, under heavy loads in training or on campaign, normally 10-12 miles per day. Unless they scored a sedentary assignment such as company clerk, they would be on their feet all day. Roman army boot-sandals were anything but ergonomic. So I think the physical should have included what remains standard today: a thorough check of the recruits' legs and feet. For deformities or old injuries; flat feet; other conditions too like splayed feet or pigeon toes, that would make the soldier a burden who might not even complete basic training due to walking too slowly and/or painfully, falling out on route marches, getting shin splints etc. The veteran soldiers would also be on top of foot/mobility problems the moment they saw them, I think. Even now, "symptomatic" flat feet are a hard disqualifier in US military recruiting, despite our we-drive-there culture.
Amazing!
Glad to see MEPS hasn't changed in 2,000 years.
God I love this channel!
For us, now; time machine. Or decide that one nation or another is a successor state to Rome.
Can you form a coherent sentence I didn't get it.
@@tylerstears4445 To know the answer you must see the question.
Amazing video!
Sign me up. Where the nearest Roman army careers office?
Do they share Colchester with the British Army?
As epic and professional this voice is, I miss your voice Oakley! #THFEproductions
Sure, but how would you join the Roman NAVY and how was it organised?
why you don't read some book(or scholarly article) about it?They do exist.Service in the navy was seen as less prestigious than in land army.
Feels like going through MEPs.
Anybody else notice dude at 3:58 smile?
For that era, the recruitment process seems to be quite robust
Sounds nice
So....Sardakar.
Got it.
Taking notes for the day that I can finally join the ranks of the empire.
Great video really enjoyed learning about how the romans got into recuritment of soldiers. I think that my only question that I would have is what was the purpose of the earth when doing the oath does it have to do with protecting the empire?
Thx
I aint getting in 💀💀....
Yet..
History always repeats I join the army when I was 18. Now my son is joining the marines
constant wars make good soldiers
I hope you have enjoyed this video
Me outloud in the train: I very much have
Nice