• Much clearer to understand what's going on and where the art comes from.  Mr. A, 2008-04-30, 11:53 a.m.

The March of Caesar's Army

   Under normal conditions the army marched in 3 seperate divisions. The first would be the Vanguard(primum agmen) which consisted of cavalry and infantry. Each legion had a baggage or supply train following it. Then at the rear of the legion was a rear guard(novissiumum agmen). This name was given for the new soldiers of the regiment. 

 At dawn or even before they would march, usually 15 miles a day.  However sometimes they traveled to twenty Five miles or more. On one occasion Caesar forced his troops to march One Hundred Miles in a twenty four hour period.

The Camp of Caesar

   They would first before day break always set up a camp or castra munita. Which would make it harder for the enemy to attack at night. If anywhere they would choose a suitable place(locus castris idoneus) with very much supplies like food,water, and wood nearby.With the ability to carry their tools on thier backs which consisted of a wide trench, a fossa(ditch), and a rampart or known as a agger. Rampart would be about 5 feet high and wide enough for the men to stand confortably in the tent. On the side of the tent were a line of stakes(pali), that were standing up along side the wall(vallum). The camp would usually be layed out in sections with two main streets parallel to each other with four different entrance ways. 

 While it was summer men would stay in leather coated tents with about 10 men to each tent. Then when it became winter(hiberna) the troops(copiae) were put into huts covered with skins and straw. When it became night time there would be 4 different watches(vigiliae) about 3 hours each watch. The sign(signum) for the night was circulated among the guards.Along with musicians sounded a tattoo at nightfall, a reveille at dawn, and signals for th end of each watch. 

 The Navy of Caesar

    With the indication of making battle ships Caesar although didn't need them. Let alone even make a true navy organization. The ship which was long, narrow, and low which was ordered by army soldiers. The war galley or navis longa were propelled by oars. It only had either one or two sails, but removed the sails during battle. Without rudders, steering paddles were used, one on each side of the stern. The stern of the ship was a sharp metal beak or a rostrum used into ramming the enemies ship. There were different transports which were called naves onerariae to transport men and supplies to the camps or necessary points. 

 This image taken from Encarta at msn.com. 

The Warriors of Gaul

    According to Caesar the warriors of Gaul were split into 60 seperate tribes. Some of the physical features of a Gaul warrior was tall, fair-haired, and of great strength. They each wore trousers and different colored shirts no doubt possibly to resemble their regement. The Chiefs were adorned in bracelets and necklaces of gold.

   Most of the time the Gauls were in warfare. Which to them was taken most seriously. They usually used a spike or javelin in battle with a shield and a helmet for defense. One of the most modern lines of attack they used for formation was the phalanx which was a collection of shields right next to each other. Even with the greatetest of strategies they were no match for the equipment and technology of the Romans. With the over confidence of the Chiefs for their warriors they trembled across the battle field with them losing soldiers one by one to Caesar's Army.

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