Why Auxiliaries Were the Real Tough Guys of the Roman Army

While everyone knows about the fearsome reputation of the Roman legionaries, it's sometimes forgotten that the provincial auxiliaries did much of the fighting for the Roman army. From Syrian archers to Sarmatian cavalry, these skilled warriors made up around half of Rome's military forces.

[Intranetusa]

Great video at dispelling misconceptions. The auxillaries (especially the ones that served as heavy infantry) and the legions also often wore the same armor. There are segmented armor pieces found in the ruins of auxillary forts, and the Dacian War monument in Romania, the Tropaeum Traiani, depicts both auxillaries and legionaires as wearing chainmail and scale (little to nobody is depicted as wearing segmented armor).

[shuukenji]

"I AM A LEGIONAIRE! I FIGHT! I SPILL THY ENEMIES BLOOD! I FEAR NO ONE!"

"wait what do you mean I need an engineering degree!?"

[GewalfofWivia]

In Civilisation 6 there’s an achievement for clearing nuclear contamination with a Roman Legion unit.

[DLockholm]

The problem is, people often end up separating the Auxilia from the Legions as if they were different entities similar to USA military branches, and that was not the case

Legions and Auxiliares worked together 100% of the time, pretty much the only difference was practical and legal.

All the legionaries were roman citizens, the auxiliaries were not

All the legionaries were core heavy infantry

The auxiliaries filled the gap for tactical flexibility (heavy and light cavalry, archers, skirmishers, spearman, shock troopers) and they were used as needed

[td]

Not only were the auxilia fighting troops, it was the auxilia that was responsible for holding the most difficult positions on the battlefield: the flanks. These men were just as hard as the legionaries, just paid less.

[EukalyptusBonBon]

I heard that when auxiliary personel has done his 25years of service he will be granted Roman citizenship and piece of land. But is there any Roman citizen who serve in the auxiliary for his skill?

[ElectricSmurf]

I remember reading an account of a Roman battle - can't remember when or where - where the legionaries stood to at the back of the formation as a reserve to follow on once the auxiliaries had broken up the opposition. However, the auxiliaries did so well that the legionaries didn't have to deploy!

[alperkaanbilir]

The word extraordinary comes from Latin extraordinarii "outside the orderly" i.e soldiers who fought outside the battle line. Those were extraordinary men.

[thomasprislacjr.]

"I want to be a mighty legionary warrior to defend and protect the interests of my Ceasar."

"You any good with differential calculus."




"Auxiliaries for you."

[marcusjackman]

Just read the Debello Gallico about how they built a bridge over the Rhine river in ten days so Caesar could get his troops across.

[fidelismiles]

I will take this into account for my Rome Total War gazzilion campaign, thanks!

[jacobevans]

Britian Calvary... not what i picture when I think of Empire era british military specialist.

[tabularasa]

excellent to see some people embrace their heritage.

[jonsmitt]

That last point was a huge factor in Roman control over its provinces. It was later imitated by many European monarchies who employed foreign bodyguards such as the Swiss Guard which was famously massacred during the French revolution when other royalist forces disappeared or defected to the revolutionaries.
Taking the example of the Sarmatians sent to police Britain. Sarmatia would be weaker from the loss of these prime fighting men who would be old if they returned. These men would stem the manpower scarcity for controlling an empire covering chunks of 3 continents. The natural antagonism between the native Brits and the foreign troops would reduce the risk of cooperation against Rome. The auxiliaries would have difficulty building a life outside their service to Rome. If the Sarmatians mutinied or deserted they were stranded thousands of miles from home amongst an unfriendly populace. In an age of mostly homogeneous societies it would be very difficult for foreigners to travel unnoticed.

[khjr]

Shout out to our friends at CERN for completing the temporal vortex which allowed the camera crew to get us this interview with Centurion Maximus Mustacious.

On another note, the camera crew is now suffering from three kinds of dysentery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

[Indacut]

People don’t know how much truth that last statement had

[TyTye]

From Hadrian onwards noone from Italia was stationed on the frontiers

[JvmCassandra]

Basically Romans achieved combined arms tactics through auxiliaries. Romans were good heavy infantry, engineers, logisticians, and missile troops. Foreigners were good Calvary, mounted archers and charioteers.

[JimmyS.]

Never tell an irishman you're into british auxiliaries

[koksalceylan]

Hunnic Yurt in the Roman Camp! Very true in the fourth century