Roman battle techniques

Introduction The main battle tactics relied on the individual units involved working as a team, with every unit knowing exactly what part they played. Each was extremely well trained and disciplined with a set battle plan. They were total killing machines, each armed with a sword (gladius), two javelins (pilum) and a shield (scuta) When confronting an enemy in battle, the structure of the roman advance was to have the legion's soldiers in a line …

…were savagely hacked down, regardless of age or threat. They were the enemy, and they must die. The Romans did not let any adversary escape. They were either killed or taken prisoners of war. This was prevent an escaped enemy warrior from returning to fight another day. Prisoners of war were given the choice. Spend the rest of their days as slaves to the Romans, or become gladiators for the satisfaction of their new masters.