Could You Survive as a Roman Soldier?

Step back into the first century AD with Survive History as we explore the challenges faced by Roman soldiers on the frontier of the Empire. In this immersive episode, filmed at a meticulously reconstructed Roman fort on the Welsh border, we explore the daily life of a Roman soldier.

With Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2 due to be releases later in 2024, find out what it was really like to live and die by the sword under the Roman Empire.

With the help of volunteers from the Roman Military Research Society, we ask whether you could survive serving in a remote outpost on the edge of ‘barbaricum’. From the secrets of Roman military training, to the intricacies of Roman weapons and armour, we discover what made the Roman army such a successful force on the battlefield. We also experience the power of Roman ranged weapons, from the bow to the ballista.

We learn about the differences between Roman legionaries and auxiliaries, discover what Roman soldiers ate, and how they dealt with terrifying barbarian foes like Sarmatian horse archers. And we find out what it takes to construct a full-size first century Roman fort from the build team at Park in the Past - a truly unique construction project.

So the question is, could you survive as a soldier on the Roman frontier?

#romanempire #militaryhistory #history
00:00 Introduction
02:20 Where you'd be stationed
04:31 Auxiliaries and legionaries
12:15 Roman army training
18:49 Roman forts
22:13 Sentry duty
24:27 Roman toilets
25:12 Meeting the fort builder
30:11 Britain's Big Fort Build
30:55 Ranged weapons
38:00 Sarmatian horse archer
43:22 What Roman soldiers ate
48:11 Could you survive?

[survivehistory]

Which aspect of life on the frontier do you think you'd find hardest to cope with? 🤔
Big thanks again to the Roman Military Research Society and Park in the Past - both helping to keep history alive! 💪

[California__Jon]

22:43 “probably the least favorite job for Roman soldiers in a fort would’ve been sentry duty” haha some things never change as it is the least favorite duty for soldiers in a modern day military

[TashdacatGaming]

I absolutely love this. You're not just watching and talking over footage, you're actually there wearing the armour and experiencing the life. This is the kinda thing more of these historical life documentaries should be, actually experiencing what they're talking about as close as we're able to approximate.

[opalen]

Great videos, it reminds me of good history documentaries on Discovery Channel and the like from 15-20 years ago. Looking forward to upcoming videos!

[Tconl]

I like the centurian guy. He tells/explain well and clearly with a solid voice. So props to 'you'.

[thebbie-phams]

I found this video through one of the shorts discussing food. Honestly, I was expecting an entire documentary about food but this was actually really good!

Looking through your channel a bit later, I found out that this is a newer channel. Safe to say you folks have earned a new subscriber.

[theopollitt]

Man this is so good keep doing this you going to be huge. Such high quality 👍🏻

[Papadragon]

Bit late to the party, but loving these videos. It's obvious that both the host sits on a lot of general knowledge of things commonly misrepresented, but also that the people they approach - reenactment groups who've been nerding these topics for, probably several years - are treated with so much respect and deference in their specialised knowledge. Pros and cons are adressed in a nuanced way, while there is at the same time no hesitation to poke fun at actual historical idiosyncracies. None of the over-dramatisation that we so often see.
Loving the guy acting the Centurion of the reenactment team as well. Both knowledgeable and very fun. Lots of respect for the entire Roman Military Research Society.
Cheers.

[MrWasjig]

This is some really top notch work! Levelling the likes of history documentaries from the 90's and early 2000's, the type that seem to have gradually vanished in the last 20 years.

[Zagge]

What a great start these two episodes have been for a series that I'm sure has a lot more to come! These production values are way beyond the stuff we see on Youtube. Excellent work and really looking forward to seeing more. In a few years after you've made a huge breakthrough, I'll be here with you being proud of seeing the channel's journey from the start.

[t.wcharles]

That Centurion has a rather sterling moustache.

[Rhyddid_tan]

Thank you very much for creating this first class production and for elevating the great work that the people at 'Park in the Past' are doing.

Bringing history to life.

[marial]

My big Maine Coon cat Brutus watched this documentary with great interest. I think he wants to join the legion. Don’t tell Caesar.😂😂😂

[DreadnaughtyArt]

Love this. It's so much more interesting watching someone be a part of history rather than just talking about it

[erikgothberg]

Great video!
Would love to see a "Could you survive as a Prussian Soldier in the Seven Years War" !

[andrewgbilt]

This channel is incredibly under rated, interesting and professionally made. Can't wait for more!

[yellingyank]

This channel deserves so much more recognition! The combo of your knowledge mixed with some of the reenactor's knowledge, and you actually wearing the gear and living the life is awesome! Please keep this content going!

[holymanbob]

I bet these guys think about the Roman empire a lot.

[JShe-wyyg]

My guy, its beeeln said by others but this is better content than most of tv shows nowadays, well done pal

[stalkingboudicca]

the Park in the Past lads are doing a fantastic job for us thanks