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Roman Battle

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.

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