Roman Military Tactics: History Quiz!
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The Roman Army was the Roman empire's foundation, which conquered numerous tribes, clans, and kingdoms with their powerful military. It was the main house of economic and political power. This quiz has been developed to test your knowledge about tactics, formations, weapons, and the Roman Army history. Let's take the test.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Which formation involved the front row extending shields and other rows putting shields on top of the lines?
- A.
Wedge Formation
- B.
Tortoise Formation
- C.
Killa Attila
- D.
Orb Formation
- E.
SPQR
Correct Answer
B. Tortoise FormationExplanation
The correct answer is Tortoise Formation. In this formation, the front row extends their shields forward to create a protective barrier, while the other rows place their shields on top of the lines to provide additional cover. This formation was commonly used by ancient Roman soldiers to protect themselves from projectiles and enemy attacks. The overlapping shields created a solid and impenetrable wall, resembling the shell of a tortoise, hence the name.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Which of the following was a shield?
- A.
Gladius
- B.
Hasta
- C.
Scutum
- D.
Chest Protecta
- E.
Pilium
Correct Answer
C. ScutumExplanation
The Scutum was a shield used by the ancient Romans. It was a large rectangular shield made of wood and covered with leather or metal. The Scutum provided excellent protection to the Roman soldiers, covering most of their body and allowing them to form a shield wall formation. It was an essential defensive weapon in battles and provided protection against enemy projectiles and attacks. The Scutum was a crucial element in the Roman military tactics and played a significant role in their victories.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which emperor ordered his army to build a wall through present-day England?
- A.
Marcus Aurelius
- B.
Nero
- C.
Augustus
- D.
Claudius
- E.
Hadrian
Correct Answer
E. HadrianExplanation
Hadrian, the Roman emperor, ordered his army to build a wall through present-day England. This wall, known as Hadrian's Wall, was constructed during his reign in the 2nd century AD. It was built as a defensive fortification to mark the northernmost boundary of the Roman Empire and to protect Roman territories from invasions by northern tribes. Hadrian's Wall is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction in England.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which formation was used usually when the army could be surrounded and crushed?
- A.
The Orb
- B.
Repel the Cavlry
- C.
Fight to za Death!
- D.
The Tortoise
- E.
The Wedge
Correct Answer
A. The OrbExplanation
The Orb formation was used usually when the army could be surrounded and crushed. This formation involved arranging the soldiers in a circular shape, with the strongest soldiers forming the outer ring and the weaker soldiers in the center. This formation allowed the army to defend themselves from attacks coming from all directions and prevented the enemy from easily surrounding and crushing them.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which was a line of troops that was widely spaced apart?
- A.
The Tortoise
- B.
The Wedge
- C.
Repel the Cavalry
- D.
Skirmishing Formation
- E.
The Orb
Correct Answer
D. Skirmishing FormationExplanation
A skirmishing formation is a line of troops that is widely spaced apart. This formation allows for greater flexibility and maneuverability, as well as providing better protection against enemy attacks. By spreading out the troops, it becomes more difficult for the enemy to target and engage them effectively. This formation is commonly used in situations where the troops need to engage in small-scale, irregular combat, such as in guerrilla warfare or when facing cavalry charges. The other options listed, such as the Tortoise, the Wedge, Repel the Cavalry, and the Orb, do not describe a widely spaced apart line of troops.Rate this question:
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- 6.
What was, from about the time of Tiberius on, the dominant type of basic armor worn by a Roman legionary in the Imperial armies?
- A.
A mail coat
- B.
Just a leather jacket
- C.
an iron breast plate
- D.
Horizontal metal strips combined with vertical leather strips
Correct Answer
D. Horizontal metal strips combined with vertical leather stripsExplanation
From the time of Tiberius onwards, the dominant type of basic armor worn by a Roman legionary in the Imperial armies was a combination of horizontal metal strips and vertical leather strips. This type of armor provided a good balance between protection and flexibility, allowing the legionaries to move and fight effectively on the battlefield. The metal strips offered protection against weapons, while the leather strips added flexibility and comfort to the armor. This combination was widely adopted and became the standard armor for Roman legionaries during this period.Rate this question:
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- 7.
An essential part of their protection was the scutum or shield the Roman legionaries carried. What shape was it?
- A.
A small and round shield with a central boss
- B.
A flat rectangular shield without a central boss
- C.
A square shield without a central boss
- D.
A semi-cylindrical shield with a boss
Correct Answer
D. A semi-cylindrical shield with a bossExplanation
The scutum, or shield, carried by Roman legionaries was a semi-cylindrical shape with a boss. This design allowed for better protection and coverage of the soldier's body. The boss, a raised central portion of the shield, provided additional strength and reinforcement. The semi-cylindrical shape allowed the shield to be used for both defense and offense, as it could be used to push back enemies and also provide cover. Overall, the scutum was an essential part of the legionaries' protection, offering both physical defense and tactical advantages in battle.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The scutum was not just a defensive shield, it was also used to push the enemy out of balance. Once the enemy was on the ground the Roman legionaries could also use their sandals or caligae to injure the enemy. Why?
- A.
the sandals had pointed metal tips
- B.
The sandals were hobnailed
- C.
He sandals had sharp spikes
- D.
The sandals had spurs
Correct Answer
B. The sandals were hobnailedExplanation
The sandals being hobnailed means that they had small metal studs or nails embedded in the soles. This would provide the Roman legionaries with better traction and stability, especially on uneven or slippery surfaces. In a combat situation, this would allow them to maintain their balance while pushing or striking the enemy, making it easier to injure them. The hobnails would also add weight and force to their kicks, potentially causing more damage to the enemy.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What, of all his military equipment, was the weaponry a Roman soldier would use in the first stage of a standard attack?
- A.
Their arcus with which they shot two arrows or sagittas in quick succession
- B.
If possible, both his pila or javelins, in quick succession
- C.
Their shield to push over an enemy
- D.
Their 18 inch sword or gladius
Correct Answer
B. If possible, both his pila or javelins, in quick successionExplanation
In the first stage of a standard attack, a Roman soldier would use both his pila or javelins in quick succession. This suggests that the soldier would throw both of these weapons one after the other, aiming to inflict damage on the enemy before engaging in close combat. The use of both weapons in quick succession would maximize the soldier's chances of hitting the target and potentially causing chaos among the enemy ranks.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The walls the Romans built to keep the northern tribes out of Romanised Britain (Hadrian's Wall and Antonine Wall) were built in keeping with standard procedures. At regular distances, there was a kind of little castle from where a guard or patrol could survey what happened 'along the line'. What was the normal distance between such mini-forts?
- A.
Half a mile
- B.
One mile
- C.
A hundred yards
- D.
Two miles
Correct Answer
B. One mileExplanation
The normal distance between the mini-forts along Hadrian's Wall and Antonine Wall was one mile. This distance allowed for effective surveillance and communication along the wall, ensuring that any threats or activities could be quickly identified and responded to. It also provided enough space for the guards or patrols to cover a significant portion of the wall while still maintaining a strong defensive presence.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2022Quiz Edited by
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Mar 21, 2008Quiz Created by
Fireheart