TFW - The Fallen World

Military/Government

When the Roman Empire was first established, the government system seemed outwardly to be a Republic, with the Emperor as the head of the Republic. In actuality, Roman government was more of a monarcy. In times now, the Roman Empire can be considered a Monastic/Military Republic. Below is a brief description of all of the Government and Military positions and authorities.

The Emperor

Current Emperor: Gaius Xerxes Caesar

The Emperor serves as head of the military, as well as the Senate. Any matters/laws passed through the Senate must gain approval by the Emperor to be passed.  The Emperor also has full Dictorial power. If the Emperor comes up with a law, he can pass it without consulting the Senate. Emperors are chosen by the Military and Senate at the previous Emperors passing.     


The Senate

Senators are elected as a representative for the people (traditionally all Senators were high class Roman citizens [Patricians])

Tribune (1) is an elected office that represents the lower class (Plebians)

Consuls (2) are elected officials to one year terms; essentially serves as heads of the Senate; both Consuls must aggree to any matters brought up by the Senators and Tribune; if one Consul disaggrees, whatever matter/law was at hand is rejected


The Military

The Roman Emperor is the chief military official in  the Imperial Army.

The Imperial Army

The Army is divided into Legions, a legion made up of ten cohorts, each of which was further divided into six centuries of eighty men, commanded by a centurion. The commander of the legion, the legatus, usually holds his command for three or four years, usually as a preparation for a later term as provincial governor.

(See below for more information.)

Roman Military Expanded

From early times right down to the 3rd century A.D, the Roman army was based on its legions. A legion varied in strength from 4,000 to 6,000 men, and was subdivided onto ten cohorts. Its leader used the title of legatus. His staff officers were called tribuni. Senior non-commissioned officers were called centurions, who varied greatly in rank. The soldiers of the legion were picked men: They were all Roman citizens and received a higher pay than the auxillary troops - that is, foreigners who serve with the Roman army.

A legion consisited of heavily armoured infantry (foot soldiers). The Roman infantry became a feared force, well disciplined and well trained. Their weapons were two pila or javelins each and a short thrusting gladius or sword. Cavalry was supplied by the auxilaries ( second line troops ) and was organised mainly in units 500 strong.

When it was on campaigns the army was accompanied by a number of specialists. One was the camp commandant, who was responsible for the organization of the camp. The Romans were very careful about their camps - no Roman army halted for a single night without digging a trenches and fortifying its camp. Each soldier took his share in establishing the camp and striking the camp the next day. Another specialist was the quaestor, whose duty was to look after all the money matter. then there were the engineers and all kinds of craftsmen and artisans. They were responsible for siege operations and for the rather primative Roman"artillery", which consisted of big catapults and complicated machines a little like crossbows. These were mainly used for hurling big rocks and stones at the walls of a defence place. The engineers also had to build the moveable towers that were used in sieges - the Roman soldiers went up inside these towers so that they could see over the walls of a fortified place and shoot their stones and arrows into it. The engineers also made the scaling ladders that were used for getting over walls.

The Roman soldiers won their battles just as much from their staying - power as by their courage. They had to be strong and fit, for in addition to his weapons each soldier had to carry provisions for two weeks and tools for pitching camp.

When the soldiers went into line of battle to fight, the formation was called acies;when they were marching in column it was called agmen. If during a battle the legion were hard pressed the soldiers formed an orbis, which was very like the square that the British army formed in the 18th and 19th centuries if it was in difficulties. The standard of a legion was the aquila ,or eagle - made of silver or bronze and showing the bird with outstretched wings. It was the greatest disgrace if the eagle was captured.
At its finest period the Roman army was almost inconquerable.

There were three main reasons for this :

Discipline
Hard and efficient training
Speed at which they learnt new tactics