Early Roman army
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The early Roman army was deployed by ancient Rome during its Regal Era and into the early Republic around 300 BC, when the so-called "Polybian" or manipular legion was introduced.
Gate of the so-called "Servian Wall", Caelian Hill, Rome. The wall, made of massive tufa stone blocks, was built shortly after Rome was sacked by the Gauls in 390 BC. Several sections survive to this day
Relief of a Spartan hoplite, c. 510 BC. Detail from the Vix bronze krater, Musée du Pays Châtillonnais, France
Reconstruction of Greek hoplites in Phalanx formation c. 480 BC
The structural history of the Roman military concerns the major transformations in the organization and constitution of ancient Rome's armed forces, "the most effective and long-lived military institu
Ancient Greek sculpture of a hoplite (c. 5th century BC, Archæological Museum of Sparti), on which Rome's first class of infantry was based.
Altar of Domitius Ahenobarbus, c. 122 BC; the altar shows two Roman infantrymen equipped with long scuta and a cavalryman with his horse. All are shown wearing chain mail armour.
Bust said to be of Marius, instigator of the so-called "Marian reforms"
Relief of a Roman legionary out of battle dress, c. AD 100 (Neues Museum, Berlin)