GCSE Latin: Roman Army topic.

            
            
             A Roman Legion at full strength consisted of 6000 men. The first cohort was double strengthened at 960 men. They were the best of the legion. The first cohort was also in charge of administration for the legion.
             Each cohort had 6 centuries of 80 men, each century was made up of ten Contubernia which were eight men. A Contubernia was the smallest unit. They shared a tent and fire. .
             Two Centuries comprised a Manipulus. Manipulia were also known as a "Band".
             Each legion also had an attachment of about 120 cavalry, along with artillery pieces, and other specialized Auxiliary units.
             Every Legion had one gold eagle standard, the Aquilum, and each Cohort had its own standard. A unit's standard was its greatest pride. To lose one was the worst disgrace.
             Each legion was a self contained entity. It had to be able to do any specialized task needed to function. These tasks might include building bridges, forts, or siege engines. Many of the soldiers were specialists , their duties might be cooks, carpenters, hunters, doctors, surveyors, priests, surveyors, etc. These specialists were known as Immunes. They were excused from the more mundane or less desirable duties. .
             During the empire, the Roman Army was a professional army, as opposed to the Levied army of the Republic. It was largely made up of volunteers, rounded out with conscripts. The minimum term of service was sixteen years. A soldier was able to retire from the Army after serving a term of twenty to 25 years. The Emperors took good care of their soldiers, making the military an attractive profession. Pay as relatively generous and regular, an efficient banking system retirement grant allowed a man to retire with enough to live comfortably on for the rest of his life. Retirement benefits included an amount equal to thirteen to 17 years of pay. .
             The Auxilia .
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             Auxiliary troops were specialised units, light infantry slingers, archers, cavalry. They were usually from the providences, Syria, Crete, Gaul Germania, North Africa, and such.