Roman legion

E5868

A Roman legion was the principal heavy infantry unit of ancient Rome, renowned for its disciplined soldiers, flexible formations, and decisive role in expanding and defending the Roman Empire.

All labels observed (10)

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf ancient Roman military formation
military unit
commandedBy legatus
hasCampType castra
hasCoreSubunit cohort
hasEarlyRecruitmentBase property-owning citizens
hasEngineeringCapability fortification construction
road building
siege works construction
hasLaterRecruitmentBase all male Roman citizens
hasOfficer centurion
tribunus militum
hasPostMarianStructure 10 cohorts per legion
hasPrimaryType heavy infantry
hasRecruitmentBase Roman citizens
hasSeniorNCO primus pilus
hasServiceTerm typically 20 to 25 years
hasStandard aquila
hasStandardBearer aquilifer
signifer
hasSubunit century
contubernium
maniple
hasSymbolicRole embodiment of Roman military power
hasTacticalDoctrine disciplined close-order combat
hasTacticalFeature flexible formations
use of reserves
hasTrainingFeature intensive drill
strict discipline
hasTypicalArmor lorica hamata
lorica segmentata
hasTypicalDefense scutum
hasTypicalFirstCohortSize larger than other cohorts
hasTypicalHelmet galea
hasTypicalSize around 4,000 to 6,000 soldiers
hasTypicalWeapon gladius
pilum
historicalPeriod Roman Empire
Roman Kingdom
Roman Republic
historicalRole defense of Roman frontiers
enforcement of imperial authority
expansion of Roman territory
influenced later European military organization
partOf Roman army
linked to: Roman legion
reformDate late 2nd century BCE
reorganizedBy Gaius Marius
usedBy Roman Empire
Roman Republic

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (59)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Roman Empire militaryUnit Roman legion
Roman Republic militaryBranch Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Hadrian's Wall constructedBy Roman army
linked to: Roman legion
Roman roads builtBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Roman legion partOf Roman army
linked to: Roman legion
Second Temple in Jerusalem destroyedBy Roman legions under Titus
linked to: Roman legion
Illyricum militaryUnit Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Britannia (Roman province) legionStationed Legio II Augusta
linked to: Roman legion
Naissus controlledBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Via Egnatia usedBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Roman civil wars hasParticipant Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Roman emperors hasAuthorityOver Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Moesia garrisonedBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Gallic Empire usedMilitaryStructure Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Roman army hasComponent Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Pannonia militaryPresence Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Germania opposedBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Ulpia Noviomagus Batavorum garrisonedBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Argentoratum garrisonedBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Roman eagle usedBy Roman legion
Mars associatedWith Roman legions
subject linked to: Roman god Mars
linked to: Roman legion
Battle of Trebia hasParticipant Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Battle of the Metaurus involvedForce Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Great Illyrian Revolt opponent Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Batavian cohorts distinctFrom Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Batavian revolt involved Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Via Nomentana usedBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Helvetii defeatedBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Centurion servedIn Roman legion
subject linked to: Centurion (Roman officer)
Third Servile War hasParticipant Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Probus associatedWith Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Eastern Roman provinces defendedBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Battle of Alesia hasParticipant Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Battle of the Great Plains involved Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Camulodunum usedBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Roman state hasInstitution Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Battle of Corfinium involved Caesar's legions
linked to: Roman legion
Siege of Bethar combatant Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Siege of Masada attackers Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Battle of Munda hasParticipant Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Moesia Inferior garrisonedBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Siege of Palmyra (272) involves Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
lorica segmentata associatedWith early Imperial Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Roman state treasury financed Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Mauretania Tingitana militaryPresence Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Battle of Chaeronea (First Mithridatic War) militaryBranchInvolved Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Via Aemilia Scauri usedBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Elagabalus supportBase Syrian legions
linked to: Roman legion
Emona usedBy Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion
Battle of Asculum opponent Roman legions
linked to: Roman legion