the roman army Flashcards
why was the roman army similar to a top football team?
below is to explain how they were similar :>
football team quality:
buy the best players from around the world
as the roman army conquered more and more territories, they also recruited the best local fighters to join. this is similar because, like how football teams buy players from around the world, the roman army would draft fighters from their conquered territories
football team quality:
get players fit and keep them healthy and disciplined
the roman soldiers learnt how to properly and effectively use weapons, fight as one, and follow orders very precisely. this is similar to how footballers learn to kick the ball, use teamwork to score goals, and follow their coach’s instructions to win. the romans had to be very disciplined towards their leader or else the results would be court martials (military members were tried for offenses against military law), execution, or severe and rash beatings. they also had to complete very difficult exercises to build strength
football team quality:
great tactics/strategies to win games
the roman army used clever tactics such as testudo (tortoise). there is a similarity where the team has a formation, and each person has a role in bringing the team to victory
football team quality:
good facilities/hotels to stay in
the roman army did not exactly get a hotel, but a fort with a small hospital and baths. they also got good, healthy food to suffice for the fights. a football club is similar where when playing away, players will get to stay in luxurious hotels until game day, and have good home stadiums
football team quality:
focus set on winning, not personal lives!
roman soldiers stayed in the army for 20-25 years and were not allowed to marry. they did not have to worry about their loved ones, but about being committed to fighting for the roman empire. the army was a soldiers home and family. this is similar to football teams, as players will spend majority of their time training and travelling around to different matches, not getting a lot of time to see their family (however, they could still visit a lot more than the romans could!). footballers also only play until they were about 35 years old
football team quality:
discipline in the teams at all times
in the roman army, if there was a mutiny (rebellion), they would decimate the unit - killing every tenth soldier (whether they did anything or not), which would frighten most soldiers. it is similar to how if a player fouls in a game, they would have to sit out (however it was not as serious as the roman army!)
