Roman soldiers were
trained in such a way as to have a strategic advantage over their enemies. The
typical military unit in the Roman army was called a legion, which consisted of
about 6,000 soldiers at full strength. When approaching an enemy in battle, the
infantry would create three lines of soldiers, each with gaps between the
lines; in front of these gaps would be a solid line of soldiers called velites.
As they neared their enemy, these velites would throw their javelins and
retreat through the gaps in the lines of their fellow soldiers. The first line
would then fill in the gaps to create a solid line. When the enemy came closer,
this solid line of soldiers would charge. Once this initial skirmishing
occurred, the heavy infantry would engage the enemy. They would throw their
pila (javelin-like weapons), then pull their swords and attack. Because the
army was set up in lines, one line would attack at a time. If it was being
defeated, it would fall back and another would take its place, so that the
attacking was consistent. This tactic is said to have been an important reason
for success in battle. They also had heavier armor, better training, and were
expected to endure strong discipline.
This wasteland cold and dark runs free Its fearful creatures speak to me One fateful day one nudged my hand To set my eyes upon a tree He knew I could not understand For I was in his native land His signs became our common speech To lead me through the deadly sand Now stuck I saw him me beseech He could not lift me out to reach The firm foundation of a cave Outside the boundaries of this beach Withal, the beast became more brave To risk his own my life to save To carry me, its life it gave To carry me, its life it gave. This poem was inspired by Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." That poem, like this one, has four four-line stanzas of eight syllables per stanza. Its rhyme scheme is AABA BBCB CCDC DDDD.
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