The Dominance of the Imperial Roman Army

“’If one looks at the Romans military system, one will recognize that the possession of a large Empire has come into their hands as the prize of their valour, not as a gift of fortune. For this people does not wait for the outbreak of war to practice with weapons nor do they sit idle in peacetime bestirring themselves only in time of need. Rather they seem to have been born with weapons in their hands; never do they take a break from their training or wait for emergencies to arise. Their manoeuvres fall no way short, in the amount of energy expended, of real warfare; but every day each soldier exercises with as much intensity as he would in war. This is the reason why the shock of war affects them so little. No confusion ruins their customary neat formations, nor are they paralysed by fear, or worn out with fatigue. Victory over enemies who have experienced non of this comes sure and certain. One would not be wrong in saying that their manoeuvres are like bloodless battles, and their battles bloodstained manoeuvres. With such splendid planning and organization, no wonder that the boundaries of their Empire are in the east the Euphrates , in the west the Atlantic Ocean, in the south the new lands of Libya and in the north the Danube and the Rhine. One would easily say that the people who have won the Empire are greater than the Empire itself.’ – Joseph ben Matthias, better known to history as Josephus…”

I recently (OK, today!) finished "The Making of the Roman Army, from Republic to Empire" by Lawrence Keppie, and have learned many things which are applicable to to modern warriors and warrior societies.

First, let me say that by warrior, I do not mean "warlike," I am referring to a "soldier or skilled fighting man," not necessarily, "One who is engaged in or experienced in battle." To me, a warrior may be anyone who prepares for, or who puts his or her life in physical danger from others, such as a professional soldier, law enforcement, bouncers, bodyguards, and even firefighters. It also covers those who train only to protect their families.

Josephus admiration of his occupier (he is now known for his writings of history, but was a Jewish general who took part in uprisings against the occupying Roman army) and conqueror is noteworthy, and worthy of serious consideration.

Let's look at what made the Imperial Roman army successful:

1. Consistency in training - "...this people does not wait for the outbreak of war to practice with weapons nor do they sit idle in peacetime bestirring themselves only in time of need. Rather they seem to have been born with weapons in their hands; never do they take a break from their training or wait for emergencies to arise."
   I view this as critical to success. From a military or civilian perspective, training should never cease, and should focus on the likely enemy and his tactics, but not preclude the unlikely or unconventional.
   
2. Realism in training - "Their manoeuvres fall no way short, in the amount of energy expended, of real warfare; but every day each soldier exercises with as much intensity as he would in war. This is the reason why the shock of war affects them so little."
   The closer we can get in training to what we will actually face, the better prepared we will be. However, I take, "...their manoeuvres are like bloodless battles, and their battles bloodstained manoeuvres." to mean that they avoided injury in training, but spared none in actual battle. Use safety equipment, but spare no contact. Apply appropriate "aliveness." Increase intensity on a gradient so that your students or partners are getting what's just a little beyond them, but not overwhelming. Don't hesitate to train versus multiple attackers, versus weapons, or on the pavement.
   
3. Adaptability - The Romans adapted the phalanx from the Greeks before them, then the gladius, short Spanish sword from their campaigns there. If it works, use it! Bruce Lee's JKD was the utimate expression of merging complementary concepts, techniques, and tactics, merging the flow of boxing, Savate, Wing Chun, Western fencing, Karate, and other styles to create a synergistic amalgam that's definitely greater than it's parts. Don't be afraid to borrow, beg, or steal from other styles. Attend seminars in something you don't know, even if you outrank the instructor by five degrees! Learn and adapt.
   
4. Conditioning - As I have been learning in the past few months as we've merged more groundfighting than we've ever done, conditioning is not only key for preparation to do battle, but to give you more endurance to train. In other words, if you can only train for four rounds, your time won't be as productive as if you can train for eight. More time with proper technique means better muscle memory faster. Don't spare the time on the bike, road, or treadmill. Don't slack on the calisthenics or weights.

In summary, we can learn much from the most dominant standing army in history (until now!). Let not the lessons of the past be lost, but apply them to your training and preparation for the battles which we pray never come.