11 Facts About Roman legion

Roman legion was the largest military unit of the Roman army, composed of 5,200 infantry and 300 equites in the period of the Roman Republic and of 5,600 infantry and 200 auxilia in the period of the Roman Empire.

Legions became more formally organized in the 4th century BC, as Roman warfare evolved to more frequent and planned operations, and the consular army was raised to two legions each.

Roman legion justified this action to the Senate by saying that in the din of battle he could not distinguish Roman from ally.

Every Roman legion had a large baggage train, which included 640 mules just for the soldiers' equipment.

Roman legion created the Praetorian Guard along with a permanent navy where served the liberti, or freed slaves.

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The most senior centurion in a Roman legion was known as the primus pilus, who directly commanded the first century of the first cohort and commanded the whole first cohort when in battle.

Centuries took their titles from the old use of the Roman legion drawn up in three lines of battle using three classes of soldier.

Roman legion army maintained a complex position and grading system for its soldiers that reflected the many and varied duties of the Roman legion army.

When Caesar's troops hesitated to leave their ships for fear of the Britons, the aquilifer of the tenth Roman legion threw himself overboard and, carrying the eagle, advanced alone against the enemy.

Roman legion's comrades, fearing disgrace, 'with one accord, leapt down from the ship' and were followed by troops from the other ships.

Each Roman legion had another officer, called imaginifer, whose role was to carry a pike with the imago of the emperor as pontifex maximus.