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Roman Army
Swords like the one above were Roman weapons.

Roman Army

March with the Roman army and discover how legionaries trained, what equipment they carried, and why this powerful fighting force helped Rome control such a huge empire.

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Fascinating Fact:

Roman soldiers, called legionaries, wore armour made of metal strips or chain, a helmet, and carried a large curved shield.

In KS2 History, the Roman army helps pupils understand how Rome built and kept its empire. They explore legionary training, equipment, camp life, and what it was like to serve as a soldier.

  • Legionary: A professional Roman foot soldier who served in the army for many years.
  • Legion: A large unit of the Roman army, made up of several thousand legionaries.
  • Centurion: An officer in charge of a group of soldiers, known for strict discipline and leadership.
What was a Roman legionary in KS2 History?

In KS2 History, a Roman legionary is taught as a full-time, well-trained Roman soldier. Legionaries joined for many years and helped Rome conquer and guard its lands.

How was the Roman army organised?

The Roman army was divided into legions, which were split into smaller groups led by centurions. This clear structure helped orders travel quickly and kept soldiers disciplined in battle.

What weapons did Roman soldiers use in battle?

Roman soldiers usually carried a short sword called a gladius and a throwing spear called a pilum. They fought in tight formations and used their shields and armour to protect the whole line.

1 .
What was a Roman soldier called?
A centurion
A troop
A legionary
A scout
Legionaries were grouped together in legions
2 .
How many soldiers were in a legion?
100 - 500 soldiers
1,000 - 2,000 soldiers
4,000 - 6,000 soldiers
10,000 soldiers
The legions were the Roman army's elite heavy infantry
3 .
What was the leader of a legion called?
A centurion
A legate
A cohort
A general
There were around 30 legions in the Roman Army
4 .
How many cohorts were in a legion?
5
10
20
50
The commanding officer of the first cohort was the leader of the legion
5 .
What did a centurion lead?
A century
A cohort
A legion
An army
There were six centuries in a cohort
6 .
How many legionaries were in a century?
50
80
100
1,000
A century had 100 men but only 80 were legionaries
7 .
Which of these was not a Roman weapon?
Catapult
Cannon
Javelin
Sword
Cannons were not used in Europe until the 11th or 12th century
8 .
What was a Roman legionary’s armour made of?
Metal strips
Wooden strips
Leather strips
Paper strips
The armour was surprisingly effective
9 .
How many years was a legionary required to serve in the army?
10
15
25
30
Legionaries were Roman citizens under the age of 45 who signed up for 25 years in the army
10 .
What did a legionary receive when they retired?
A watch
A golden sword
A house
A pension
Instead of a pension some soldiers were given a gift of farmland
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - What was life like in the Roman army?

Author:  Amanda Swift (Primary School Teacher & Educational Content Developer)

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