Laura excitedly flipped open a thick book on Roman history, her eyes shining with a thirst for knowledge. These books had long been neglected in the corner, indicating that not many people would come here seeking what was considered "dry and boring" history. To Laura, however, these were treasures.
She first read about how Rome rose from a small village to an empire. Initially, Rome was just a small settlement on the banks of the Tiber River, but through continuous expansion and conquest of neighboring tribes, they gradually accumulated power. The Romans skillfully employed the strategy of "divide and conquer," dividing the conquered lands into multiple provinces and implementing strict laws and order.
Later, she came across a section describing the Roman military management, which piqued her interest. The Roman army had a strict hierarchical system and training procedures, which was lacking in other civilizations at the time. From ordinary soldiers to high-ranking generals, everyone had to undergo rigorous training and assessment. This rigor made the Roman army almost invincible on the battlefield.
The Roman army also innovatively used different types of weapons and tactics. For example, they used the "tortoise formation" to counter enemy arrows, and placed great emphasis on the application of engineering technology on the battlefield, such as siege engines and fortifications. Furthermore, the Roman army had a very unique "disband and rebuild" mechanism. That is to say, when a legion failed on the battlefield, they would be quickly disbanded and then rebuilt in a short period of time to ensure that the combat effectiveness of the army would not be affected in the long term due to a single failure.
Laura is fascinated by these details, feeling that every word and every sentence is like an embroidered tapestry woven with language. She is not only learning about an ancient empire, but also exploring an extremely complex and complete system. Rome's military, political, cultural, and religious aspects are so intertwined, forming an inseparable whole.
What particularly impresses Laura is that this strictness and organization is not only reflected in the military, but also extends to daily life and the legal system. Roman law was the most advanced and systematic of that era, and its influence has even continued to the present day. Roman civil law, criminal law, and even commercial law have far-reaching effects.
In addition, Laura also discovered a particularly important feature of the Roman army for her research: the legion insignia and military standards. Each Roman legion has its own unique insignia and banners, which are not only symbols of identity but also a source of morale. This reminded Laura of the Roman military standard she found at the archaeology site, which may be the only clue to Legio IX.
Laura sat on the floor of the history section, flipping through a heavy book titled "Roman legion: Spears and Shields of the Empire." Her gaze quickly scanned the table of contents, finding a section specifically dedicated to the composition and purpose of Roman legion. She felt that understanding this foundational knowledge was essential before delving deeper into the study of Legio IX.
"Legion is the cornerstone of the immortal power of the Roman Empire. It is not only a military unit, but also a complex of society, politics, and culture," she murmured.
Laura began to understand that a Roman legion typically consisted of about 5000 to 6000 infantry and a certain number of cavalry, with extremely strict organization and carefully designed details. The main purpose of the legion is conquest and defense, serving as the iron fist and guardian of the expansion of the Roman Empire's territory.
Next, her gaze fell on several famous legions:
The first legion, "Germanica" (Legio I Germanica): established in 48 BC, mainly active in Hispania and the Germanic region. It fought against Germanic tribes under the command of Tiberius and Germanicus.
Legion V Alaudae, also known as the "Alaudae Legion," is famous for its participation in Caesar's Gallic Wars and later contributed to Trajan's Dacian Wars.
Legion VI Ferrata, also known as the "Ferrata Legion," was established during Caesar's time and was active not only in civil wars but also participated in the Jewish War and several battles against the Persians.
The Tenth Legion "Equestris" (Legio X Equestris): Caesar's personal guard, established in 61 BC. It participated in many important battles during the Gallic Wars and Caesar's civil war, including Alesia and Pharsalus.
Laura is delving deeper into these legions, from their establishment and participation in battles to their bravery or failures. She realizes that to truly understand Legio IX, she must start by understanding the overall military structure of this powerful empire. This way, she can uncover the mysterious events that have been forgotten by time but still impact today. Each legion is a part of history and a part of a larger narrative.
Laura made simple notes on the book, feeling deeply impressed by the vast and complex military organization of the Roman Empire. This has important guiding significance for her subsequent study of Legio IX. Different legions not only represent different tactics and war experiences, but also reflect the political and cultural changes of different periods of the Roman Empire. With this knowledge, Laura feels closer to uncovering the truth behind the disappearance of Legio IX.
Laura turned to the introduction of Legio IX in the book, her eyes fixed on the text, feeling an indescribable excitement. This chapter detailed the rise and fall of Legio IX, with the most attractive part for her being the various battles the legion participated in and the leaders involved.
" Legio IX, also known as the Ninth Hispana, was established by the Roman Empire in 65 BC," Laura found this information in historical documents. The documents detailed the many battles in which Legio IX participated, from Germania to Gaul, and then to the mysterious Britain Isles. Among them, the name of Legion commander Pluto (Pulicius) frequently appeared, portrayed as an exceptionally outstanding leader and warrior.
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