Units of History - The Exploratores: Scouts of the Roman Army DOCUMENTARY
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- In this Units of History documentary, learn about the Exploratores and the Scouts of the Roman Army. The first 100 people to go to www.blinkist.c... are going to get unlimited access for 1 week to try it out. You’ll also get 25% off if you want the full membership.
We continue to look at the most famous units of history from across ancient history. While previous episodes have focused on the combat roles of units like the Spartan Royal Guard or the Immortals, in this episode we look at the critical role a unit could play in the intelligence game.
The documentary begins with the early history of Rome and the relatively low level of its scouting needs whilst in familiar territory. However we show that as it expanded across Italy and in particular abroad, it quickly realized that a more robust system of scouting had to be established. What emerged was the Procursatores, a close screen of cavalry who fanned out ahead of the legions of Rome. We discuss the role of these troops when it comes to patrolling, pathfinding, and foraging.
However these troops could not cover all the needs of the Roman Army. What soon developed was another group of further range scouts and disruptors known as the Exploratores. We cover how they were used to report on the enemy, locate Roman army camps, and perform operations behind enemy lines.
Stay tuned for our next episode where we will discuss the spies and Speculatores who further added to Rome's impressive intelligence network that helped the Roman Legions become so successful. What Units of History do you want to see covered next?
Credits
Research: Chris Das Neves
Writing: Invicta
Narration: Guy Michaels
Artwork: Penta Limited
Editing: Penta Limited
Sources and Suggested Reading
The Roman Army by Adrian Goldsworthy
Roman Warfare by Adrian Goldsworthy
Intelligence Activities in Ancient Rome by Rose Mary Sheldon
Exploratio: Military & Political Intelligence in the Roman World from the Second Punic War to the Battle of Adrianople By N. J. E. Austin, N. B. Rankov
Spies and spying in Caesar’s “Bellum Gallicum” by Jane Crawford
The "Missing Dimension" of C. Julius Caesar by Amiram Ezov
The Scouts of the Late Roman Army and a Disputed Etymology by Philip Rance
#UnitsOfHistory
#Rome
#Scouts
Watch our next episode on the Spies of the Roman Army: th-cam.com/video/xpPY5yU9w7I/w-d-xo.html
Can you cover Napoleon’s Old Guard? That’d be pretty awesome to learn about their history and equipment!
Ahh yes, Dorus the Exploradorus.
XDXDXDXDXDXD
Ffs😂
Bruh, you owe me a mouthful of beer
Backpackus
Brilliant!
Your reports could basically be life or death for an entire army
so yeah, no pressure lmao
Lake Trasimene hmmmmm
@@nothingtoseeheremovealong598 Teutenbourg Forest
Carrhae too
If would have made 25% of the troops be scouts or paid the scouts more.
So my pressure would be that at least.
Planes have phones???
I feel like the story of a unit of Roman scouts deep in enemy territory would make an incredible period piece movie
Totally agree!
I loved being a scout for 10 years. Not alot has changed even with all the technology. Most people have no idea scouts still exist and/or have no idea what we do. Thx for the video
As an infantry scout I leaned that large formations of "enemy" soldiers don't really gaze around, they just plod on. On one exercise I was in fairly open area with little cover when I realized the enemy were nearby and the only place I could hide was in a tree. So I climbed the tree and watched an entire company walk past a few metres below my feet. If one of them had looked up they would have easily have seen me. But no one looked, so after they had passed I was able to evade them and get back to my own side.
What do u do and how if u dont mind me asking
@@Dave_Sisson where was that ?
In America it's Cavalry scouts but there Cavalry scouts in some Infantry battalions..
@@kousseilashakur672 It was a military training exercise in south eastern Australia, but I suspect the same thing could happen almost anywhere in the world
>Screened for skills and experience
After years of Roman study I can firmly state that this line can be translated to "wealthy enough to have your own horse and educated enough to take notes but not wealthy enough to carry heavy armor nor too important to lose in the field"
Good to see scouts getting some re ognition. All we hear is about romans is either how great their engineering was,admirable their discipline was, or how shit their cavalry was. Not to mention politics of course.
some of the most famous Roman defeats was because they didn't scout properly lol
They don't like scouting except for Caesar, so people didn't bother either.
That is because they were excellent at engineering and they had probably the best infantry of the ancient world, so that's what everyone talks about.
I'm actually baffled they made a video praising the scouts, because every historian agrees that Romans were exceptionally BAD at scouting... Many of their worst defeats are linked to scouting mistakes.
@@FKaps16 Don't forget their shit politics
@@ktheterkuceder6825 I wouldn't go that far as to call them shit. Obviously not perfect, but the Republic had one of the most advanced political systems of the time.
And in terms of law, they were way ahead of its time. Roman Law still serves as foundation on all Western countries.
Last time i was this early there was no salt in Carthage
Carthago delenda est
You should take that story with a grain of sailt
@@eedwardgrey2 ah yes *sailt*
@@WraithLK I love sprinkling sailt on my food
@@CallMeMark231 hey cato the elder want your location mate 😂😂😂💀
The scouts took the day off at the Battle of Lake Trasimene...
I see what you did there...
Every time Hannibal was on the fields, the scouts took a day off
And Cannae, Ticinus, Trebia...
I think it was less taking the day of and more the comanders going full "yeet" at the first sight of the carthagineans
🤣🤣🤣
Can you made video about....
Auxillia Palatinae Guard, The Successor and the most loyal Guard in Roman History.
Why dont you focus on the sorry state of the mother land, Comrade?
Yessss
@wulpurgis Just an admirer
I agree with you.
I find the late Roman army to be kind of fascinating, and the elite Auxillia Palatina units especially.
Because for so long, we all tended to think of the late Roman army as a objective downgrade from the Imperial Legions, but if it weren't for them, the Roman Empire would've fallen centuries before they did.
And if the Auxillia Palatina units were supposed to be their elite infantry units, they must've been fairly good.
I think it's really fascinating that such a vital role of the army was filled by common soldiers, auxiliaries even. The top of the command structure and other key positions were usually filled by aristocrats, and yet here we see ordinary men advise aristocrats on what path to take. This just proves once more that the success of a campaign depended less on the high-ranking politicians than they would have liked everyone to believe. I find it surprising though that the procursatores and exploratores were seemingly chosen at random and were not a distinct, elite unit. I mean sure, the video mentions that there were some characteristics procursatores and explorates had to possess and were selected for, but I still wonder how accurately they could relay the information. Did they even know how much water and food the army consumed each day, so that they wouldn't accidentally recommend a path where the logistics failed and the army started to suffer from attrition?
A really interesting video for sure, can't wait for the next one! Keep up the great work :)
Giving the troops recognition of their work is surely a reason Caesar's legions were so loyal. He didn't take all the glory. At least from my understanding.
I guess they probably picked those who had experience in hunting, tracking, though how could you know about those things for every soldier. And like they said Casear usually sent out Germanic and Galic cavalry which were natives to the lands where his most famous campaign happened.
@@ChunkyWalnutX Yeah, using allies that were familiar with the terrain surely helped, although then you were always running the risk of them betraying you and possibly luring you into an ambush. I suppose it's a double-edged sword; if your allies proved loyal then using them as procursatores and exploratores was definitely worth it, but if they didn't prove loyal then the entire army was at risk.
@@totodilesquad3890 I guess the procursatores would be even more useful if the exploratores did turn-coat - having scouts scouting your scouts lol
I guess that's because, even if their job was vital, at face value it wasn't rocket science. It was like: Dude, go in THAT direction and tell me what is there, pay special attention to (whatever was of interest at the moment) and come back to report in X hours/days.
After their report the commanders made the decisions. I mean, it's explained pretty well in the video.
I *loved* this episode. This like logistics, reconnaissance, and other non-combat parts of an army's life is quite scarce in this kind of videos and I always deeply appreciate learning more about it.
And this one was excellently researched and narrated. I learned a lot I had no idea about.
The scouts were on vacation during the battle of Adrianople
@Marcelo Henrique Soares da Silva Adrianople shouldn't even had been a thing. Moronic officers messed up.
@@miguelmontenegro3520 Lmao, they fed the Goths dog meat, one dog for one child sold into slavery.
@Marcelo Henrique Soares da Silva there’s no medicine for Ignorance!
Last time I was this early Cro-Magnon government issued a patent for fire.
I’m stealing this line
Best thing minister Buga ever did.
ah, it was an overrated development - look at the mess it lead to
nothing more fun than talking logistics and scouting. the secret sauce to success
Great episode. It's pretty awesome that 1700 years later the British army was using professional Native American scouts, my ancestors - who were also used as elite auxiliaries.
This word, Exploradores, is still used in Portuguese. It literally means "explorers". In 2 thousand years the only change to the word was that the "T" became a "D"
In spanish too
brasileiro ta em toda a parte mesmo ne mano
That’s the origin of the word explorers, so English also has it
@@CABOOSEBOB and spanish and maybe french idk
'Exploradora' is the Spanish equivalent, and that's how Dora the Explorer was named
I've always liked Reconnaissance units. So much appreciated for sharing this bit of history on the Roman variety!
This video helped me plan some D&D sessions for one of my players who wanted to be a "scout". Gave me ideas besides sneak and look for people. Great video as always.
Exploratores were true survivalists , imagine in times of alexander , this type of troop conquererd the enemy desert long befor the main body of the army .
I dont think i could ever sleep soundly sleeping in enemy territory in alexanders army.
@@rpavangchhia8953 Ha? What exactly you talking about?
This is one of those videos I'm looking forward to. Since I'm a military scout myself. I'm quite surprised that most if not all of these things is still relevant in modern times. It makes it much easier for me to explain myself on things I do during my military service without being too nitty-gritty with the details on this.
Right on bud! Army, USMC, foreign military? Just asking cuz I’m American. I’m a RETIRED cavalryman now
You should make a Units of History episode about the Late Roman Auxilia Palatina units.
Because I've become fascinated with how the Late Roman army, which a lot of people look at as a downgrade from the Imperial Legions we all associate with the Romans, when in reality, it helped hold the Roman Empire together for several more centuries than it would've otherwise.
One of the most vital portions of any army, and often the most overlooked. Respect to em all from all eras and sides.
I learned something new thanks. And also a tortoise approves of this video
A testudo?
@@Hermenie no more like minor details and btw these videos are probably made to help you learn
great great content, thankyou for all the incredible work.
Due to the topic this was one of my most anticipated episodes and due to the presentation, information and overall quality it is my most satisfying and favorite to date, thank you!!!
Fascinating, I'm getting an Assassin's Creed plus Call of Duty vibe with this.
Aye I spot that “Storm Before the Storm” from Mike Duncan during the Blinkest ad. I hope everyone watching this channel is subscribed to his podcasts
Love the History of Rome Podcast so damn much
They had one of the toughest jobs💪🏻
Super pumped. Been waiting for this video since the announcement!
I love that you guys cover more niche aspects of Roman history. I loved your food one.
Everything from Roman times deserve a thumbs up!! Ave Caesar!
Great exploration of the subject! ⚔️🏹
Unbelievably epic. Both the topic and the video.
It’s nice to hear about the scouts even though in most big Roman campaigns they will have army’s show up right next to them with practically zero warning...
yeah but to be fair - it is hard to out-scout someone in their homeland.
@@udozocklein6023 for small raids that makes sense, but full scale troop movements is a different matter all together
@@michaelpeters6659 considering that most of the places rome invaded before becoming an empire were NOT organized armies, they were all about raids and ambushes.
and also, still, outscout someone in their homeland is a feat to consider^^
@@udozocklein6023 valid points mate, I also think that the fact that the Roman’s build a damn fort every single night on campaign means that the scouts could afford to miss some small things and it still wasn’t a fatal mistake
@@michaelpeters6659 indeed; not most of the time, that is^^
My father was a Combat Infantry Scout serving General Patton’s 3rd Army. Dad was awarded the Silver Star for the Battle of Metz. These scouts were a volunteer unit under G2.
4:50 "Nobody's a pathfinder until they've 'pathfound' something"
- Foster "My-face-is-tired-from-everything" Addisson
The Romans initially didn't like Scouting, but Hannibal taught them this important lesson...
The Dacian leader was pronounced "Dekébalus" meaning Strong as 10 men. not "Decabúlus"
Your artwork is great, should definitely work with EpicHistoryTV to come up with a master video.
We did do a collaboration for the campaigns of Alexander a while back with total war footage
@@InvictaHistory
That video was perfection !
I'm strangely excited about this video.
A great voice for narrating this type of historical content. :)
Amazing video.
A little criticism: stop using leather bracelets for roman soldiers in the pictures, they didn't used it. Not a very bad error, but an important graphic detail. The leather bracelets were an invention of the peplum filming of the Hollywood golden age. I think eliminating this little fake details, its good for the seriousness of the show.
Apart from this detail, very good work. Interesting video.
Good to point out details like this.
Truly insignificant.
@@dense_and_dull But Truly. And in the details lays the seeds of greater mistakes.
@@juanmolinafernandez3983 Let's get this straight... An armband never existed for the legionary, so the next episode will be how Alexander the Great beats Caesar at Cannae using a trebuchet? One incredibly minor art mistake has no impact on the narrative of the video. You're nitpicking.
@@dense_and_dull No in this case. And if you read properly my writing, I say It's a very good video. But let say in this way that you put an american soldier of 1944 wearing a Brodie helmet. Well, historically, american soldiers stop wearing brodie helmet in 1941. If you speak about the battle of the Bulge and put american soldiers wearing Brodie helmets, doesn't change the things you are saying about the battle of the Bulge, but also it's true that depicting american soldiers wearing the M1 helmet it's more correct and inmersive.
Fot some reason we usually are very detallist on equipment of modern soldiers, but we treat the antique ones with less respect as how they were equipped. And I don't think it's bad pointing it if your intention is to improve. I love this channel and their work, so thats the reason why I'm pointing it. Being angry for pointing it, I think, It's pointless.
As being armed reconnaisance myself in the army, this is really amazing!
Excited to see the incredible art you've got now
Logistics and information wins the war
-Probably someone smart.
One of your best yet
That's a lot of responsibility for a scout 👀
Probably why there were so many of them sent out, trusting only one man for such an important job is def risk,.
@@ChunkyWalnutX you never def a risk that's definitely a def risk
Great content. Lovely arts. 1 subscribe.
The content is great! This and the Roman supply lines doc are my recent favourites.
The artwork is amazing too, any chance I could my hands on them,I would like to have them as my wallpaper. :)
Good job in medieval scout you can be rich and famous easy to find which target for good prices
Great video! Thank you so very much.
one of the most interesting videos. Scouts dont get much recognition but this is good.
Very interesting, this is another aspect of the Roman army often overlooked but critically important!
Awesome idea, loved it. Great script writer!
The art for this episode is outstanding! Kudos to the artists.
Its hard being a sneaky scout when you're wearing shiny armor and red clothes.🤦♂️
I was an explorer scout during my high school days. Our uniform was forest green, not the standard blue shirt/khaki pants of the rover scouts.
First class explanation.
5:45 No wonder the Roman Army was so powerful in those days, just three of their soldiers could lift a giant tree trunk.
being a mega Chad comes with benfits beyond your understanding
Good times at the battle of Cynoscephalae when scouts used to not just watch but open the battles.
May you do a video about diplomats? We always hear about civilizations declaring war, making threats, alliances and much more. We never hear about how this is possible and who makes it happen. Does a diplomat spend months on a voyage and back? It would also be great to know who sends messages. We always hear about people receiving messages for aid, battle defeats, rebellions etc. I just want to know how did information spread and who relayed all of these messages and information.
According to Book 1 of Livy’s history of Rome, after Rome had been injured by another state, four _fetials_ were sent out to seek redress. One member, the _verbenarius_ , carried herbs gathered from the Arx on the Capitoline Hill. Another member, called the pater _patratus_ , served as the group’s representative. Upon reaching the border of the offending state, the pater _patratus_ first announced his mission and addressed a prayer to Jupiter in which he affirmed the justness of his errand. Crossing the border, he repeated the same form several times. If, after 30 days, no satisfaction was given, the _pater patratus_ harshly denounced the offending state and returned to Rome, where he reported to the Senate. If Rome decided to wage war, the pater _patratus_ returned to the border, pronounced a declaration of war, and hurled across the boundary either a regular spear or a special stake sharpened and hardened in the fire. This ritual was supposed to keep Rome from waging an unjust or aggressive war. If, however, the hostile country was far away, the spear soon came to be cast upon a piece of land in front of the Temple of Bellona in Rome; by a legal fiction, that land was treated as belonging to the enemy.
"Sir there's an ambush there"
"Well I don't believe you"
"But we just saw the ambush"
"I'm going that way, oh crap an ambush why did no one warn me"
This is amazing content. I came from Kings and generals and this is on par which is a big shout. I wasn’t aware of these unique units and their purpose. Love your use of pictures as well. Good work guys
Nicely informative video. Can't wait for the video on Roman Army spies.
Never stop making these please!
A deep Dive into the Education system in the Ancient world would be a fun topic.
The Narrator Calmed down my nerves tho.
Top notch ! Good job♥️
Awesome artworks and art style in this video 🤌🏻
one of the better videos recently. more stuff like this
This video is giving me serious Scouts Regiments from Attack on Titan vibes
Hahaha JUsT aNOtHer dAy For ThE SurVeY corPSE
Very informative video with beautiful art and animation.
The guys who own this channel are kings, really drowning us in all these videos
It’s always nice to you trying a new genre of entertainment! A comedy! I love it!
Have you ever done a bookshelf tour? If not, you should. Id love to know what books you use to research subjects like this
The art style is awesome. Good job.
Excellent video
Great video!
Romans: Invictus Romanous Scoutous
Hannibal: Hold my elephants
So much for knowledge on Roman scouts
Excellent stuff
Must be where British Napoleonic era Peninsular exploring officers took their name. They rode fast horses, scouting for the rest of the army. They also wore full uniform, hoping they wouldn't be executed as spies if captured.
Wow, that was fascinating. Thanks alot for making this.
Always happy to see another fellow Warhammer nerd thrive in military history! :D Please show us your pile of shame!
Another fantastic video! Thank you for making it!! :)
I love this channel especially because of the Roma videos
Very good vid……thank you.
We need a book recommendation video from you
Excellent
Randomly came across your channel. Delighted I did, love every vid I watched
You stated that ammianius marcellianus stated that explotaroes would ve out up to 30km or so, can i ask where abouts this was.
This channel is glorious!
love this video .Im a fan of military mangas so this channel is a good fit for me.Never seen anyone breakdown recon before tho. Exellent video.
Really enjoy the art as well as the great info
Well done illustrations,, not overly do be but well done for time used. Interesting and seemingly well researched info
When is what if Caesar Lived Part 3 coming out???
Great video. I've only ever read about these scouts in books, but I've never seen a video about them before.
What would these troops use to poison water sources? Dead people or animals?
A dead animal seems more practical. Nobody will miss a raccoon or even a stolen farm animal as much as a dead family member
They could make camp upstream from the enemy camp and channel the latrine pits into the river.
The dead animals thing is obviously much easier
Are you okay? It’s been two weeks. Caesar needs you
Awesome. Very cool
Great video