Roman Rules of War | The Tactics that Conquered the Ancient World

The Roman Empire stretched from the island of Britain to the sands of Syria. Among the many innovations that made this vast dominion possible, none mattered more than Roman success on the battlefield. Behind that success lay some ground rules which were followed to some extent by every Roman general over centuries, which allowed Rome to outlast and outfight every rival. In this video, we draw on extensive ancient sources and legendary battles to uncover the patterns that Roman generals followed to achieve victory time and again. These rules don’t just explain Rome’s rise; they became the blueprint for countless kingdoms and nations that came after, each hoping to learn the same timeless lessons that made the Romans so successful. Primary sources: App. B Civ. I. 93. Caes. BCiv. III. 83-86. Frontin. Str. I. 19. Joseph. BJ. III.59. Liv. 27. 48. Plut. Vit. Caes. 56. Plut. Vit. Mar. 20. Polyb. XI. 1. Onas. Str. XXXII. Tac. Ag. 34-38. Tac. Ann. XI. 20. Vegetius. De Re Militari. Secondary sources: Campbell, B. “Teach yourself how to be a General” in The Journal of Roman Studies Vol. 77, 1987. 13-29. Campbell, B. “Who were the Viri Militares?” in The Journal of Roman Studies, Vol. 65, 1975. 11-31. Goldsworthy, A. Caesar: Life of a Colossus. New Haven: Yale University Press. 2008. Roth, J. P. The Logistics of the Roman Army at War (264 B.C. - A. D. 235). Brill. 2012. Goldsworthy, A. In the Name of Rome: The men who won the Roman Empire. Weinfield & Nicholson. 2004. Sekunda, N. “Military Forces: Land Forces” in The Cambridge History of Greek and Roman Warfare Vol I. Van Wees, H., Sabin, P., Whitby, M. (eds.), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008. 325-357. Serrati, J. “Warfare and the State” in The Cambridge History of Greek and Roman Warfare Vol I. Van Wees, H., Sabin, P., Whitby, M. (eds.), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008. 461-498.