Why You Wouldn't Survive As A Roman Soldier

Terrifying Steps of a Roman Soldier

Recruitment and Initial Training

• Roman soldiers would forcibly recruit individuals from poor households or conquered villages, promising them good salaries and retirement benefits.

• Refusal to join the army resulted in public execution, leaving recruits with no choice but to enter training camps.

• During training, recruits faced grueling conditions, marching for hours under the sun while carrying nearly 100 lbs of armor and a heavy wooden sword.

Harsh Training Conditions

• Officers enforced discipline through physical punishment; recruits who fell behind were beaten publicly.

• Many recruits collapsed during training and did not recover, highlighting the extreme physical demands placed on them.

Marching to Battle

• Surviving initial training only prepared soldiers for the arduous march to battle, where they walked 20 miles daily with heavy armor causing discomfort.

• Upon reaching their destination at night, soldiers had to build camp before resting; failure meant no food.