Velites
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Velites were a class of infantry in the Roman army of the mid-Republic from 211 to 107 BC. Velites were light infantry and skirmishers armed with javelins, each with a 75cm wooden shaft the diameter o
Veles
A stylized parma
Marian reforms
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The Marian reforms were putative changes to the composition and operation of the Roman army during the late Roman Republic usually attributed to Gaius Marius. The most important of these concerned the
Velites
…more effective against these enemies than heavy infantry. An early Roman legion contained approximately 1000 velites. Velites were disbanded after the Marian reforms. Lucilius suggests that rorarii and velites were interchangeable, with velites gradually superseding rorarii. Another theory is that the leves' equipment…
The head of a pilum bent on impact after throwing
Modern reconstruction of a Roman aquila. Marius, according to Pliny, abolished non-eagle legionary standards.
1881 painting of Theodor Mommsen, who spread the idea of Marian reforms, especially in terms of cohortal legions, state-purchased equipment, and volunteer enlistment