Roman Military Tactics: History Quiz!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.