Type of unit needed:

A Roman MIlitary camp was a very complicated and well built organization. The emperors throughout the years had created soldiers for almost any given situation. They had many soldiers for battle as well as many to do things around the camp. Shockingly there was one unit that was needed and wasn’t included. A unit that is needed in roman times throughout the region is a spy. A spy would have changed history if romans had them. Before I go any further, there was a type of spy where there were citizens who would listen in and find out information about other nations, but they weren't actual Roman soldiers. These were people who just wanted to serve their country. Romans had almost every element that was needed in their camps including medics and trumpeters. A type of spy unit could have helped the romans gain a stronger offensive battle plan. Spies would have been able to tell weak spots of camps and could relay this info back to the Romans giving them the necessary knowledge of how and where to invade. Spies would have been able to know when people were going to invade and also know the weaknesses of other nations. Knowing when their enemies are going to attack will allow them to be on the upper hand when it comes time for them to strike. However having spies also applies a risk for Rome. If a spy was captured or discovered they could be tortured and give out information. Also it could also give the other nations the idea of having spies. There would be a lot of equipment that this soldier would need. They would need to have hidden weapons to defend themselves if something went wrong while they were on a job. A spy might also want something to hide their identity like a cover for their face. A spy would be a hard unit type for the soldier. Being a spy takes a lot of skill. A spy has to be very convincing and would have to be able to get information without putting themselves or their nation in danger. These spies could then infiltrate Rome and in turn give the other nations an advantage allowing them to take over easily. We today don't know what could’ve or would’ve happened to the Romans without having technology that is out of our current knowledge. For all we know a spy unit could have changed Roman history drastically both for the good and the bad.

The Planets, Stars, and Rome

From the beginning of the world to it’s end the stars have hung in the sky lighting both night and day. It’s origin speculated, Astrology has been passed through hundreds of cultures. The idea of Astrology was introduced to the Romans through conquest. 

      From Egypt to Asia to Rome, the ideas of Astrology took a heavy root in all cultures across the world. The Romans didn't accept astrology at first, thinking it would take away from the gods. They went so far as to ban it and arrest anyone who studied it. They didn't have control over this type of idea. As a result the roman aristocracy kicked out any astrologers. Even though they were kicked out many astrologers snuck back into Rome and, as time went on, astrology rooted into itself in the culture. using the previous knowledge of astrology while adding the famous Roman twist, they used ideas from Greeks and their own culture to predict the future through the stars. Using the positions, angles, and houses of planets and stars people like the Romans could predict births, deaths, and other significant events. Many Military leaders funded astrologers and soothsayers to keep their positions. Many of the roman emperors such as Tiberius, Augustus, and others were interested in the tabooed astrology. As time passed Rome accepted the ideas of astrology, even they limited the use. Even as they tried to limit it soon Astrology was thought to serve as dialogue to the Divine.

      This type of divination continued throughout thousands of years and is even used today. While we don’t take it as seriously as they might have, but most newspapers and some websites have horoscopes for the twelve signs. This proves that Astrology has a permanent place in our history and our future. You don’t need an astrologist to know that.

Find Your Astrological Sign

Work Cited
"Astrology in Ancient Rome." Astrology in Ancient Rome. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.
"Greece and Rome." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.
"Tour Egypt :: Pharaoh." Pharaoh's Signs of the Zodiac. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.
"Ancient Astrology - Roman Contribution, Roman Contribution to Astrology, Roman Astrological System." Ancient Astrology - Roman Contribution, Roman Contribution to Astrology, Roman Astrological System. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.
Project, North American Cambridge Classics. "Haruspex." Cambridge Latin Course Unit 3: North America Student's Book. S.l.: Cambridge Univ, 2004. N. pag. Print.

Defixio- Part 2

When I think of Curses I think about Louisiana style voodoo, however this has not always been the case in history. The main area that I will be focusing on in regards to curses is Roman Era curses. These were called Defixio in Latin and were widely used throughout their empire. Defixio when broken down, has the word “fix” in it, which essentially means the curse “fixes” the one it was written to. Typically the curse was written on a stone tablet, however this was not always the case as there have been curse tablets found that were engraved in lead sheets or even in the sides of buildings (talk about vandalism).

Roman Swords

The Roman gladius was mostly a stabbing weapon, unlike the slicing single edged katana of Japan and hacking broadsword of Great Britain. The double sided spatha was a longer sword that was used in a cutting motion (Southern). (This is not the same as the katana’s slicing.) The spatha was the longer sword, on average a foot longer than the gladius. Worldwide, the double sided gladius can be classified as a stabbing weapon, where strength and opportunity was more important than mobility and technique. The spatha was used more for ranged attacks. The cuts with this double sided weapon were meant to aim at the organs of the gut or any other exposed area. The Roman weapons were designed for maximum damage in a single strike, not precision. Similar to this was the double sided British broadsword, also called a Claymore in Scotland and sometimes Ireland, was a designed to combat the heavy armor of the era (Sword). The broadsword was between the length of the gladius and spatha. The Japanese katana was a slicing weapon designed to make the most contact possible while also optimizing mobility and formality.

Structure of the Imperial Roman Army

"The greatest military machine in the history of the universe."

"What is? The daleks?"

"No, no no no no no. The Romans!"

-The Doctor and Amy Pond, ¨The Pandorica Opens,¨ Doctor Who


     For this project, I researched the structure of the jobs in a Roman legion. My product can be found here. As well as the legions, which were composed of Roman citizens, the Roman army included auxiliary troops from the empire's various territories. A legion was structured into ten cohorts, each of which consisted of five or six centuries. A century contained either 80 or 160 men. The commanding officer of a century was known as a centurion. Although life in the army was hard and the death rate was moderately high, there was rarely a shortage of men willing to enlist. The prospect of earning wages was appealing to poor citizens who had grown up on farms that produced only enough to feed one family. Additionally, soldiers who completed their service would receive generous payment in money and land, and there was always a possibility of a promotion, bringing increased money and honor.

Roman Baths in Antarctica

Roman baths were extremely popular during the Roman Empire's reign on Europe and part of Africa. But what would one of those baths look like, if it was built during the modern times in Antarctica?

First off, the baths I created were based off of the one in Aquae Sulis. This was a small town in the Roman province of Britannia. Today the town in known as Bath in Somerset. The town's most famous aspect was its baths which began being built in the AD 60s. ("Aquae Sulis"). "From the thermal spring flowed the sacred water of the Celtic spirit Sulis, whom the Romans identified with Minerva, the goddess of healing" (Watney 13). These baths are dedicated to Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. Roman and Celtic mythology relate to each other, which shows just how close the two groups of people have become. These baths, by a Romano-Celtic collaboration, is just one of many other key additions to the Roman lifestyle. The impact these baths had was so prominent, there is even a resort and spa named after it.

Influence Of Region of World on Weaponry-Joe Murray & Max Moss

Weaponry vs. Region of World, How Ancient Roman Weaponry Supports That






There have been a profuse amount of organized militaries (to say the least) throughout the course of mankind. Nearly all of the militaries that have ever existed have been unique and individual, every single one with a different aspect of their military that sets them apart from others. In particular, it is quite evident that militaries often vary based on the region of the world the they are situated in. For example, a Russian Army will be commanded and have different type of weaponry and armor than an army in an African country, or a South American country.






My partner, Max Moss and I, researched the impact of region of the world versus the weaponry and armor, and how Ancient Romans fit into that statement. Not only did we research Ancient Roman weaponry and that specific time period, but other militaries throughout the history of time that were in various regions of the world.









Soviet Union (1939-1945)






The Soviet Union during World War II had one of the most distinct militaries of modern day. What was the biggest influence on their weaponry and equipment? Weather. The Soviet Union was known to having brutal temperatures and deathly cold winters, specifically speaking, temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius, but they actually used this to their advantage. Not only did the Soviet's prepare for the weather, but capitalized when they gained knowledge that their opponents lacked in preparation. When they fought against Finland from 1939-1940 in home territory, the Soviet's wore all white winter suits and painted their tanks white to disguise themselves in the white of the snow. Not only did they use color and disguise to their benefit, but they additionally used skiing as an efficient way of transportation and utilized tanks more effectively because tanks travel easier on snow. As one can clearly see, the Soviet Union's region of the world entirely influenced their weaponry, armor, and strategy.













Native Americans (1622-1700)






During the early 1600’s Native Americans were faced with a new species of human on their turf and these humans had much more advanced weaponry. The only way to survive was through out smarting the enemy by using a type of warfare that was aided by their surroundings. This warfare was guerilla warfare. The main strategy of the Indians was short and quick attacks on their enemies and to keep moving while fighting. The Native American technology during the time was far behind the rest of the world. With rifles being as foreign as the people of Jamestown, the Indians surely had to improvise by using what they had around them. The main weapon that most indians would use is the classic bow and arrow. This was great for the battle field because of its stealth yet lethal ways of attacking. The Native Americans were also able to hand craft most of their weaponry by using the wood from trees around them to make their arrows and bows. Native Americans would also use spears which were also hand crafted from their surroundings.









Ancient Romans (27 BC-476 AD)






Ancient Romans were primarily influenced by the hot climates. They wore light armor that did not fully cover their body. They focused on the chest, shoulders, and crotchal area, while the legs went often unprotected. They walked in sandals, which did not provide much protection, although were beneficial in preserving a healthy body temperature. One must remember that the armor and weaponry had to be limited to ensure the individual could efficiently fight. With that being said, they travelled light in terms of weaponry as well. For example, many infantry soldiers fought with small daggers called a “pugio.” It was light and used not only for fighting but also for surviving in nature as well. Romans also efficiently used space by carrying “darts” on the back of their shields, which had an effective range of 30 feet to harm and physically disrupt opponents. One of the best technological advances in Ancient Roman weaponry that was effective both in terms of temperature and combat was the, “Lorica hamata,” which were essentially interlocked metal rings that served as light body armor, often associated with the middle ages but used in Ancient Rome as well. As evident, Roman weaponry and armor was directly influenced by the region of the world they were in and the temperatures they endured during battle.









Conclusion






To conclude this presentation, ancient weaponry essentially would depend on the weather, technology, and the area in which the civilization lived in. For example, The russians had to mostly adapt to the climate around them but this would also aid them cause no one could wage war in their territory. Native Americans were able to survive amongst the British because of their use of the area around them and using different techniques that were enhanced by the terrain around them. With the Romans they were influenced by the hotter climate which called for lighter weight equipment and a good amount of skin showing so they would not overheat. As one can see, organized militaries throughout humanity have been directly influenced by their region in the world and the Romans appropriately speak to that point.







Bibliography






"American-Indian Wars." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.






Glanz, David (1998). Stumbling Colossus: The Red Army on the Eve of World War. University Press of


Kansas






"Roman Military Equipment." Roman Military Equipment. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.