Roman Military Tactics: History Quiz!

2.

Which of the following was a shield?

Gladius
Hasta
Scutum
Chest Protecta
Pilium

Correct Answer

A. Scutum

Explanation

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.

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3.

Which emperor ordered his army to build a wall through present-day England?

Marcus Aurelius
Nero
Augustus
Claudius
Hadrian

Correct Answer

A. Hadrian

Explanation

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.

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4.

Which formation was used usually when the army could be surrounded and crushed?

The Orb
Repel the Cavlry
Fight to za Death!
The Tortoise
The Wedge

Correct Answer

A. The Orb

Explanation

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.

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5.

Which was a line of troops that was widely spaced apart?

The Tortoise
The Wedge
Repel the Cavalry
Skirmishing Formation
The Orb

Correct Answer

A. Skirmishing Formation

Explanation

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.

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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 mail coat
Just a leather jacket
an iron breast plate
Horizontal metal strips combined with vertical leather strips

Correct Answer

A. Horizontal metal strips combined with vertical leather strips

Explanation

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.

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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 small and round shield with a central boss
A flat rectangular shield without a central boss
A square shield without a central boss
A semi-cylindrical shield with a boss

Correct Answer

A. A semi-cylindrical shield with a boss

Explanation

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.

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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?

the sandals had pointed metal tips
The sandals were hobnailed
He sandals had sharp spikes
The sandals had spurs

Correct Answer

A. The sandals were hobnailed

Explanation

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.

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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?

Their arcus with which they shot two arrows or sagittas in quick succession
If possible, both his pila or javelins, in quick succession
Their shield to push over an enemy
Their 18 inch sword or gladius

Correct Answer

A. If possible, both his pila or javelins, in quick succession

Explanation

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.

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1

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?

Half a mile
One mile
A hundred yards
Two miles

Correct Answer

A. One mile

Explanation

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.

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Roman Military Tactics: History Quiz!

Which formation involved the front row extending shields and other rows putting shields on top of the lines?

Quiz Preview

Which of the following was a shield?

Which emperor ordered his army to build a wall through present-day England?

Which formation was used usually when the army could be surrounded and crushed?

Which was a line of troops that was widely spaced apart?

What was, from about the time of Tiberius on, the dominant type of basic armor worn by a Roman legionary in the Imperial armies?

An essential part of their protection was the scutum or shield the Roman legionaries carried. What shape was it?

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?

What, of all his military equipment, was the weaponry a Roman soldier would use in the first stage of a standard attack?