Скачать или смотреть Roman Servian Class I | Warriors of History

The transition from clan-based skirmishes to city-state warfare in Rome saw the emergence of the Servian Class I citizen-soldier, a cornerstone of the newly formed hoplite phalanx. This radical shift in military organisation, attributed to the popular king Servius Tullius around 579-534 BC, aimed to create a citizen army where military service was tied to property ownership. The most prosperous citizens formed Class I, obliged to equip themselves with the full panoply of an armoured spearman. Archaeological findings and comparative studies lend credence to the idea that Romans adopted hoplite equipment during this period, suggesting a broad accuracy in the annalistic traditions. This evolution marked a move from individual combat to massed fighting in tight formations, fundamentally altering the Roman way of war.

The Servian Class I soldier, as described by Livy, was armed with the complete hoplite panoply. This included a bronze helmet, a two-piece bronze corselet covering the torso, and bronze greaves protecting the shins. Later, linen and composite corselets would become more common, offering comfort and flexibility under the Mediterranean sun. The primary shield for Class I was the clipeus, a large round shield, approximately 90cm in diameter, clamped to the left arm. A superb example from the Museo Gregoriano at the Vatican, likely from a 4th-century BC Etruscan tomb, suggests its construction: a wooden core faced with a thin layer of bronze and backed by leather. Its weight necessitated two handles: an armband in the centre for the left arm up to the elbow, and a handgrip at the rim. The offset rim could rest on the shoulder, easing the burden, especially when at rest. Held across the chest, it protected the soldier from chin to knee and, crucially, offered cover to the exposed right side of the comrade to his immediate left. The main offensive weapon was the long thrusting spear, the Greek doru or Latin hasta, chosen for its reach and effectiveness in close formation. A secondary weapon was the sword, which had lost its former prestige as a primary combat tool due to the nature of phalanx fighting. Shorter swords were preferred for the confined spaces of the phalanx, such as the Greek kopis, a strong, curved, single-edged blade designed for slashing. Worn suspended from a baldric from the right shoulder to the left hip, the sword was reserved for when the spear failed.

In battle, the Servian Class I citizen-soldier fought shoulder-to-shoulder within the phalanx formation. This marked a profound departure from the individualistic tribal conflicts of the past. Collectivism replaced individualism, and mobility was traded for the enhanced protection offered by the massed shield wall. This "depersonalised" warfare meant that the individual warrior’s personal commitment was now channelled through the collective unit. The timocratic principle meant that those with property, who could afford this costly equipment, formed the backbone of the army and, consequently, held greater political sway. Their stake in society, demonstrated by their ability to arm themselves, was seen as ensuring responsible decisions regarding the state's defence. The effectiveness of the Class I soldiers lay in their heavy armour and their disciplined cohesion, forming an impenetrable wall of spears and shields. Their role was to hold the line, push forward, and absorb the enemy's charge. This dedication to collective action and the tactical advantages of the phalanx would prove instrumental in Rome's ability to expand and consolidate its power, transforming a loose collection of warbands into a formidable military force.

SOURCES:
https://www.worldhistory.org/
https://www.britannica.com/
__________________________________________________________________________

SUBSCRIBE NOW : https://bit.ly/3aYZCOh
PATREON : https://bit.ly/3b0VixZ
MERCH : https://bit.ly/2X4d8rX

__________________________________________________________________________

MUSIC : by Alexander Nakarada
Music: by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

__________________________________________________________________________

#anceintrome #rome #AncientHistoryGuy