Everyday Moments in History - A Roman Soldier Prepares Dinner

Today we will join a Roman soldier not for battle but for dinner. In this episode we discuss the diet of a typical imperial Legionary; what they ate, how they prepared meals, and how they consumed food!
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Patreon: www.patreon.com/InvictaHistory
Facebook: InvictaHistory
Twitter: InvictaHistory
Documentary Credits:
Research: Invicta
Script: Invicta
Artwork: Robbie McSweeney
Narration: Hound
Editing: Invicta
Music: Dreamnote
Literary Sources
"Logistics of the Roman Army at War" by Jonathan P. Roth
"Legions of Rome" by Stephen Dando-Collins
"Legionary: The Roman Soldier's Manual" by Thames and Hudson

[@InvictaHistory]

Check out our latest episode on the history of Roman Fast Food: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGa0q2Nmmrp5a7M

[@ThatFadedAsian]

OMG! I'm so glad I noticed that lowkey subtle dis on Historical Civilis

[@edisondecker9170]

you all prolly dont give a shit but does anybody know of a tool to get back into an instagram account..? I was stupid lost the password. I love any assistance you can give me.

[@garyaxl5056]

@Edison Decker Instablaster ;)

[@edisondecker9170]

@Gary Axl I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@edisondecker9170]

@Gary Axl It worked and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much, you really help me out!

[@danielbat9887]

Daily rations of a Carthaginian soldier: 100% salt

[@hrtbrkone5626]

Fucking brilliant comment mate.

[@rouge5140]

daily rations of a troll: 50% salt 50% angry comments.

[@algoraxmago1527]

You just made my day XD

[@galegocossia5506]

Sim, ficou muito salgado depois da passagem de Cipião, O Africano.

[@user-lq1jc6wf5m]

Carthago delenda est.

[@Pottan23]

Can you imagine the logistics behind getting 200.000 men to the same location, with all their equipment no "sorry centurion I have misplaced my gladius", march them thousands of miles through barely known terrain, calculate how long the journey will take and how much food you would need to feed all the soldiers, all the camp followers, all the animals, gathering said food, get all of them to your desired destination, organize for battle/siege, executing manouvers with units of 100-1000 men during said battle. All without a walkie-talkie. I'm in charge of eight men at work and I swear it's like herding cats.

[@NatsGhost]

Pottan23 lol ♥️

[@BigEddieGaming]

Well they used vexillarius during battle, which were soldiers holding flags and imperial insignia, and shouted a lot.

[@johnhardin2269]

That humans can conduct wars in addition to their daily duties providing for survival is a wonder to me. That they can overcome the knowledge of wounding, maiming, and the pests that killed more people than weapons is mysterious. Doing it for pay is a sort of lunacy. In all things seek peace. Live by the sword, die by the sword.

[@johnhardin2269]

10000 is an army. We have taken in that many Somali pirates. I rather doubt the legions gathered in such numbers. Genghis Khan's cavalry numbered 200,000 and scalped the grass everywhere they went. They milked the mares, carried it on the horse's back, and ate it when it turned to yogurt.Yeah, tough control problem. Legionaires lived with the knowledge their unit could be judged and decimated. Officers were probably allowed to strike a trooper who displeased them. They were a pretty brutal lot in general. Rather like the Chinese they were fond of gambling and when short of cash or whatever and would bet their lives. Daily service was betting their life for their salary so I guess they didn't have much to lose.

[@johnhardin2269]

I forgot flogging. Probably used as a teaching drill as much as for misdemeanors.

[@sanuku535]

1. Good quality. 2. Good speaker. 3. The topic itself. Those are 3 basis of a good work. You got all of them done well. My centurion is pleased.

[@mannyfernandez7028]

Richard attenborough he is not but narrates just as well.

[@RRRRRRP]

4. Terrific illustrations

[@rawibidar411]

cringe

[@sodachips9556]

Tbh I hate how you can hear mouth noises, it makes it near unwatchable for me.

[@Insectoid_]

Sodachips mouth noises?? Wtf

[@henderson4323]

- Commander: How much salt do you nedd? -Legionary: *Yes*

[@gilliam8897]

Commander: (gives legionary a barrel of salt)

[@sneedsfeedseed9905]

As long as it's enough to fill Carthage up a second time, it's enough.

[@karlthejarl2819]

Thats not funny

[@sneedsfeedseed9905]

Woah there, you're not funny and nuanced enough, be careful that you might get caught by the Joke Police. This truly shows that we live in a soci-

[@picollojr9009]

@@karlthejarl2819 you must be such fun so...

[@francescosirotti8178]

"Soldiers fights with swords, armies fights with rice". Shun Tzu.

[@SuperGGLOL]

Francesco Sirotti Has tf

[@joesdi]

Really? He said that?

[@keoushh5102]

imagine a fucking army throwing rice at their enemies.

[@Raemnant]

@@keoushh5102 I lol'd

[@rouveyrollasher343]

@@keoushh5102 XD well asians obviously

[@donovanb9020]

13:42 As a former Soldier, it's hilarious and oddly heart warming to hear that Soldiers have been hoarding stuff since forever lol. In additon to finding ways to break up the monotony of rations (MREs in today's case.) *resumes shuffling through duffle bag full of "acquired" gear to find my bottle of Cholula Hot Sauce*

[@Lyenati]

Do you have them cheese squeezes

[@LionofLight777]

I always remember to pack my Himalayan Salt..Simply Can't and won't live without my salt,with a little Cinnamon and brown sugar to make my plain water extra special. It's a Moral Booster,..You know?🥩🍞🌶=Happy..✌😉

[@donovanb9020]

@@Lyenati lol why? You tryna get some Jalapeño Cheese Spread in your life?

[@geoffpriestley7001]

Grandson just out with army on 5 days hiding and evasion bet they go to mc d and raid the sauce counter

[@rubenvasquez8750]

I find it hilarious that even back in those days meal deductions from your pay were a thing.

[@bruski4120]

Teacher: you cant eat in class The kids at the back of the class:

[@thecook2260]

Your profile picture is not very advertiser friendly.

[@PauaP]

@@thecook2260 I'm afraid to ask how its not advertiser friendly...

[@thecook2260]

Hat _ In the full picture, let’s just say the armor isn’t covering much of her...

[@PauaP]

@@thecook2260 Now I'm really curious. I requite the S A U C E

[@bruski4120]

The Cook lets say that the armour has a thrust penalty...

[@jojoslasthamon5120]

I love Latin names. Even a collector of shit sounds badass.

[@rsm7445]

collectori de stercore if anyone wonders

[@Saffrone221]

Dipshiticus astyranicus

[@siddarth3955]

@@rsm7445 that's hardcore hehe

[@rsm7445]

@@siddarth3955 ikr

[@mordet2]

lignatores: the collector of firewood. me: ligna what? LiGnAbAlLs!

[@8393Robertrex]

*we arm-chair generals* I did not come here to be attacked in this manner😂

[@notpulverman9660]

IM LEAVING

[@sisenor4091]

Ha!

[@Pachiku93]

Outrageous!

[@vincentheartland2088]

Oh? Well where do you usually go?

[@MasouShizuka]

Well! I say Sir Reginald, this, folly, was a splendid waste of precious time! Mayhaps we shall be on our way?

[@Kokomo11244]

"Amateurs talk strategy, professionals talk logistics."

[@Lordofwarz]

Filip Niklas napolean bonaparte

[@BoxStudioExecutive]

It's attributed to General Omar Bradley. He was one of the guys commanding the invasion of Normandy. If you do some research into the massive logistical effort behind Operation Overlord you'll get why he would have said something like that.

[@BoxStudioExecutive]

I don't think he actually said the quote, it is just attributed to him. I think the actual quote is something like "amateurs study strategy, generals study logistics" which is much more nuanced than "amateurs talk strategy, professionals talk logistics". The former still recognizes that strategy is important, and implies the assumption that generals already know strategy and gain more from studying logistics. Logistics can also advise strategy, e.g., Hannibal's invasion of Italy, Battle of Pharsalus, every other page in the Art of War.

[@BoxStudioExecutive]

+ger du Your entire argument is debunked by the Vietnam War and the Gulf Wars.

[@VT-mw2zb]

Louis Desaix the cliche is "Amateurs talk tactics, professionals learn logistics". Tactics is below operations, which is in turn below strategies. Strategy includes logistics.

[@GFSLombardo]

The New Testament makes reference to Christ on the cross, after saying he was thirsty, being given what is traditionally translated as "vinegar" on a sponge on the tip of a spear by a Roman soldier. This is sometimes characterized as an indication of the soldier's contempt for Jesus. Interesting to speculate that this episode may have really been a Roman Grunt sharing his "sour wine" ration out of pity for the "dying man"? Go figure?

[@tremolux13]

Gary L Very interesting observation definitely something to think about..

[@GFSLombardo]

@@tremolux13 Interesting to me that something mentioned in passing in the Bible can be "validated" by "historians" . I just never thought that "sour wine" could also be interpreted as "vinegar," until I watched this video. "Live and learn", etc.

[@tremolux13]

Gary L very true Gary, very true.

[@neutronalchemist3241]

Infact it was likely the "posca" (50% water and vinegar) the legionaries usually drunk, and that he probably had in his canteen.

[@patrickrameau]

Except for the sponge part. It's what Romans used to wipe themselves after using the toilet. Imagine begging for water and being offered a wet roll of toilet paper.

[@frankjaeger563]

Mo: Grain Tue: Grain Wed: Grain Thu: Grain Fri: Non-Grain Whoop Whoop!

[@StefanMilo]

Absolutely brilliant. The ordinary lives of people in the past is fascinating to me.

[@Cannibal713]

Stefan Milo Yea, to me too. History is more than the odd battle. Most of it is ordinary people doing mundane things, but that's not as exciting as men killing one another.

[@archangel1178]

You would love Pompeii and Ostia then. My family and I went there last year and it is just so unbelievably incredible to walk into the ruins of a 2,000 year old house and to just imagine that real people used to live there. To wonder what they were like, what they were thinking, whether you could have been friends with them in another life. It's an incredible experience. Pompeii especially because you see the houses as they were when people last lived there.

[@dylanlandis5559]

Stefan Milo rt

[@KardienLupus]

Yes, Historian often forgot what is daily life of common people. These people of common life always interesting.

[@archangel1178]

Kardien Lupus that's why I love HBO's Rome. Part of its brilliance is that almost every scene is used as an opportunity to showcase a different aspect of life in Ancient Rome. Either it's some activity the main characters are participating in which is incorporated brilliantly into the plot or its something going on in the background. The amount of detail they show in to regular, mundane activities in Ancient Rome is just incredible.

[@nickkraw1]

Sodium deficiency causes fatigue before glycogen deficiency or low blood sugar levels. For an army that sweats, marches, and fights, salt was the most important ingredient on this list. Essential to life, but even more essential to performance. I think that the abundance of salt gave the Romans a huge performance advantage over their enemies, and in an era of hand to hand fighting, this would mean everything. More salt is more endurance, more strength, and faster nerve conduction (thus faster reflexes and more powerful strikes).

[@marloyorkrodriguez9975]

Also kidney stones

[@mainstream2226]

So more ammo for your sling. What CAN'T salt do?

[@cripplinganxiety1941]

The saltest army obtains the epic victory royale

[@mainstream2226]

@@cripplinganxiety1941 You got that backwards friend. More salt means less kidney stones, which renders your sling infantry useless, resulting in a crushing defeat. Leave the salt at home, make them fight in the shade.

[@YamiBakuratheThief]

This comment is worth its salt.

[@FlameDarkfire]

As my dad (cavalryman) put it: “amateurs study tactics, professionals study logistics.”

[@grahamlopez6202]

Professionals dont study. They learn in a more "tactile " manner. OFFICERS study logistics and tactics, and they're about as useful as a screen door on a submarine

[@zwillia.s1432]

That quote was originally said by Napoleon

[@iamcleaver6854]

Cavalryman??? Where did he serve?

[@grahamlopez6202]

@@iamcleaver6854 the US still has cavalry. They're air cav and cav scouts

[@FlameDarkfire]

Iam Cleaver Germany in the 80’s. Won’t tell me exactly where but his unit was on the border to East Germany. 11th cavalry regiment.

[@confirmedmillenial8231]

This artwork is fantastic

[@theusher2893]

Being the original Italians, you know their food was fabulous.

[@jamesmoncrief7247]

Absolutely!.

[@mombaassa]

Don't forget, this was before Columbus. So, no tomatoes, peppers, chilli, zucchini... etc. It would have been a very different, Italian cuisine.

[@joejoelesh1197]

Having been to Italy several times (for work), I can say the American idea of Italian cuisine is greatly exaggerated. The cuisine of the other Euro countries is just as good. The Italians of course, have a rather high opinion of their own culinary

[@x3ni487]

@@mombaassa no tomatoes ? Really ?

[@mombaassa]

@@x3ni487 Yes. Really. Tomatoes came from the Americas. So, since this was about 1,500 years before Columbus crossed the Atlantic, there wouldn't have been any tomatoes in Europe. Come to think of it, there would have been no corn, either. So, no polenta.

[@abelramirez7320]

These illustrations are absolutely amazing.

[@schrodingersauthor]

I'm writing a fantasy novel where one of the main armies takes heavy inspiration from Rome, and this video gives me a million times as much information than I could ever even know what to do with. Everything just feels so REAL, and makes me forget about just combat and fighting and numbers. This is an insanely useful video, and honestly I think everyone should watch this to get an idea of the past, even if you aren't writing a novel like me. Thank you so, so much for all of this information. I have so many pages of notes from this now.

[@eurasiaacaci.-110]

Hope that your work will be successful man

[@donterrenoalto4235]

How its the book going fam?

[@machirim2805]

What's the novel's name? I wanna check it out when it's published

[@dannyj2171]

Hope the novel is coming along well my friend 👍🏻

[@bubbles7608]

Any update?

[@jdh91741]

The key to winning a war is who can provide supplies to the soldier best. The nazi 6th army starved at Stalingrad from lack of supplies. The Japanese starved on Pacific Islands while the US Navy had ice cream machines on their capital ships.

[@Metalman200xdamnit]

A army's line of supply is its lifeline.

[@DinnerForkTongue]

@Kernels Something something strategy, tactics, logistics.

[@brandonvillatuya9539]

I think I recall hearing about the ice cream machines a long long time ago when I used to be in middle school. Interesting stuff

[@andywan8514]

Well the Japanese do have good food for their force especially the navy side. they have two ships which prepare food supply to supply to the ships .

[@ek7404]

This is mostly true, but the Pacific theater was bad on both sides. Soldiers/Marines that were on the islands were also often starving and ate whatever they could find. A few good books about the Pacific is _Helmet for My Pillow_ by Robert Leckie of 2nd BN, 1st Marines and _With the Old Breed_ by Eugene Sledge of 3rd BN, 5th Marines.

[@anti-macro]

Crazy to think that this almost modern level of military logistics was attained more than 2000 years ago. The Romans were truly ahead of their time.

[@coroso136]

Zeghart that makes it not so modern does it. Means we are backwards

[@LuvBorderCollies]

There were large armies prior to the Romans so I'd think logistics were old news to Romans.

[@leod-sigefast]

All things spread along the Mediterranean super-highway: ideas, skills, technology, language, etc. The Romans were in the ideal place. If your were on the fringes of Europe....then nothing.

[@LuvBorderCollies]

Agree. IMHO the much milder weather in the Mediterranean plays a big part. Up in the "north lands" they had to spend more time on survival related work.

[@Klaaism]

Romans were big on accepting anyone in, regardless of background, especially early on. Also they were quick to adopt anything they considered better.

[@girolamoesposito6131]

Salt was so important that soldiers were paid in salt. That’s why today we still use the term salary. Also, biscuit literally means baked twice. It was done to make bread last longer when needed.

[@jacobturnerart]

Also where the phrase "worth his salt" comes from

[@Fierceyfierce]

These are really common myths unfortunately presented as fact on Wikipedia page 'history of salt', but incorrect. Salary comes from the Latin 'salarium', and the Latin word for salt is 'sal'. That's the only connection. There is absolutely no evidence that soldiers were ever paid in salt, or that the phrase 'worth his salt' came from this period. A pound of salt was worth about 1/20th of a Roman soldiers daily wage. Look up 'Kiwi Hellenist - Salt and Salary' for an excellently researched article by a professional in the field.

[@girolamoesposito6131]

​@@Fierceyfierce Interesting read! I learned this fact by my Roman history teacher back in high school so I never thought about researching for myself. In fact, the expression "worth his salt" always struck me as weird as I've never seen it myself while studying Latin.

[@krankarvolund7771]

Maybe this idea of "bein paid in salt" came frm the fact that the rations were deducted of the sold. So, the salt legionaries received were actually their sold, just already spend ^^

[@mdgonzales6924]

@@GVan1953 I

[@lukemarchand4183]

Goddammit, now I want a Band Of Brothers-style TV series following a Contubernium (and maybe senior officers as well) on campaign.

[@Kevin-fj5oe]

the HBO Rome is the closest you'll get.

[@lukemarchand4183]

@@Kevin-fj5oe Sadly, you are correct

[@huntclanhunt9697]

Agreed. Follow a Centurion, his Optio, and a couple others.

[@henreyeraser3402]

202 BC colorized Supply Guy: Sir, what type of salt should we order? Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus: The Carthaginian kind.

[@reidf8506]

Carthago delenda est

[@VarangianGuard13]

So long as it isn't coming out of my paycheck. ( The Romans payed the Legionaries partially in salt, this is the source of the modern term "Salary" )

[@jakehennigan3476]

@Ted Hubert Pagnanawon Crusio Carthage was a beautiful civilization on every level...don't remove them from your studies! Rome gained everything from them....they made Rome....from the ship building to empire governing, Road/Highway systems, to Mago the father of agriculture's farming techniques....even your precious gladius from Carthages Iberian Citizens.....fighting for Carthage First Punic War!

[@alfredorotondo]

@@VarangianGuard13 Hannibal did it too, in fact to pass the alps used the winegar of the salary of his troops to breach the way in for the elephants

[@VarangianGuard13]

@@alfredorotondo I didn't know that, though perhaps I shouldn't be surprised.. Vinegar is very helpful and valuable to ancient peoples For example, the "vinegar" allegedly given to Jesus was likely Posca, a mixture of "Vinegar or sour wine, salt and herbs" given to Legionaries as a thirst-quencher "Roman Gatorade" to restore electrolytes. So, in a way, Hannibal was working to keep his elephants alive? Romans wouldn't have known, most likely, how to deal with these monsters stomping over the horizon. The few Romans that had ever seen an elephant were out in the provinces or had seen one, once, in a Bestiarius combat.

[@lemondirector]

Crying about all the soldiers I lost playing Total war

[@jeremygibbs7342]

Kjartan Ofstad I lost my Heir in a skirmish with the Gauls:(

[@lemondirector]

Jeremy Gibbs “...in war fathers bury their sons” -Herodotus

[@SilatBegin]

More food for you...

[@redapple360]

thats why i usually use god damn plebs and auxiliaries

[@kevray]

VeganVaperCrossFitter #pleblivesmatter

[@PauaP]

The name Aquatores sounds so badass, even though it literally just means a soldiers who'll collect water. Still, a pretty cool sounding name.

[@spitalhelles3380]

Not to be confused with aquilifer, the dude who kept the eagle standard

[@lubu523]

MACHINEPISTOL 40. sound cool but it literally means a machine pistol, or MP40 for short. So aqua, water. Tores? Not sure but it was be clear to make the job description clearer. A lot of foreign words may sound sexy, but they have a meaning.

[@thegt3clickcrash329]

So much of the Latin language is very romantic. Simply meaning everything had a name that made it sound very graceful and important.

[@mattiaciucciove8084]

@@lubu523 late to the party, but the suffix -tor indicates what is called in Latin the "nomen agentis", i.e the person that does something. as such, if we translate literally aquatores, it would sound like: "the one that collects water". edit: typo

[@aaronjefferson279]

@@mattiaciucciove8084 Let me give you a nomen agentis the Romans hated the most : “Extractor” - the one who collects rent payment!

[@tanostrelok2323]

I clicked the video because it was interesting, but the execution itself was even better than the subject itself. Glorious.

[@ruuuuudooooolph]

"Our foodstocks are dwindling"

[@toanmaid5451]

The horse! The horse!

[@g0679]

Rudy R Okay, Flounder. It’s time for a trip to the Food King!

[@KozMick1]

The people loathe you, my liege

[@PauloRicardo-ev4om]

Classic...

[@chillythicc942]

"people are leaving the castle"

[@lukeingle5587]

This was lovely, I always enjoy being able to put myself in the shoes of the nameless soldier. Partly because he wasn't nameless, and he would have joked and suffered and missed his family like I would have. It's.... humanising. Thank you again for this!

[@ninepuchar1]

Or someone waiting for him back home......or his son/daughter biding farewell to her father,with the hope of seeing him again but also a dread of not seeing him ever again...

[@maximumfun1078]

"... thousands of human lives are reduced to blocks ..." Wait, are you telling me romans and greeks were not coloured blocks? Historia Civilis had lied to me!

[@InvictaHistory]

Haha I was actually thinking up putting up an image from Historia Civilis as a funny jab but decided against any drama lol

[@maximumfun1078]

ahh, too bad, I think he would've understood is as a benevolent joke but I see your concern there ^^

[@gfgiannis]

As a Greek I can assure you I am not a colored block ... Or am I ?

[@KP-hm1dn]

@@mrsean44 probably moreso worried about commenters with nothing else going on in their lives trying to stir up nonsense.

[@SubscriberswithnovideosC-ok7wv]

If I could’ve been any soldier back then, I would of without a doubt chosen Roman. For their time, they had excellent hygiene, food, tactics and weaponry/armour.

[@randomelite4562]

Armor and weaponry wise not anything special, but otherwise yes

[@afailureofaanimator6744]

But then you would most likely be subjected to a experience similar to Vietnam due to the Germanic tribes.

[@BIastwave.]

Would have**

[@sumreensultana1860]

@@afailureofaanimator6744 let's say he was stationed in Greece in Peace times

[@kawadashogo8258]

There are tradeoffs though. Roman soldiers had extremely long terms of service. Once you were in the legion, you'd be in it for decades whether you liked it or not, and it would be an incredibly hard and rigorous life. If it ends up being too much for you, too bad, you'd be stuck; good luck deserting, because there would be practically nowhere to escape to, unless you don't mind taking your chances among "barbarian" tribes which had quite low standards of living. Though Persia might be nice.

[@blackferdinand2260]

Roman medic: Get me the salt this man’s going to die! Legionary: Unless Aurelius is gonna be Lunch he better shut his mouth

[@oiausdlkasuldhflaksjdhoiausydo]

I remember my grandmother using the word “contubernio” for a bunch of guys chatting in secret. I never give it much thought but now I know where it comes from. It’s amazing how much we inherited from Rome in the south of Europe!

[@polishrenegade3781]

This video made me push toward becoming a Patreon. That's the level of quality that makes me ashamed of not paying for content, so I pulled the trigger. Keep up the good work. Narration was incredible.

[@InvictaHistory]

Thanks for taking the time to support the channel. Even just a few bucks helps out. I'm travelling now but will soon be sending out HD art downloads to the eligible patrons for this episode. I also post more teasers there for upcoming episodes so stay tuned.

[@proudtitanicdenier4300]

IT'S CALLED BEING A "PATRON", PATREON IS THE WEBSITE!!!

[@driftertravelerman6893]

Un•Soldierly: Something thats Unsoldierly... something that the higher ranks most likely do...

[@afailureofaanimator6744]

Yeh lol

[@mrdropkicker1]

I came here looking for Legionary recipes

[@leapingfrog2]

As a military cook in Canada I really appreciated this look into what makes an army do it's thing!

[@dogeposting640]

Nick Thompson I don't live in canada, I'm in the US. However, still just wanted to say that being in the service in an honorable thing to do, so good job.

[@seansullivan7928]

Well, as a cook im not going to thank you for your service

[@pergys6991]

Well as someone who ate you’re food, you guys are god send if you work in mess but when will you learn how to make DECENT VEGGIE MRES!?

[@seansullivan7928]

@Pew Pew News Thank him for what? Peeling onions. Not everyone is deserving of a thank you for their service, especially cooks.

[@seansullivan7928]

@Pew Pew News actually asswipe, I am a geriatric nurse, American, and yes an atheist. You got one right. But, im not thanking some jag off, who's barely smart enough to pass the ASVAB that peels potatoes and fuels planes for real soldiers. Ill save the thanks for the real soldiers.

[@marktownsend2198]

I love these Everyday Moments in History. Please, more.

[@DeltaCain13]

This is honestly one of my favorite history videos ever! Please make a series of “slice of life” videos for other past miliataries!

[@midget_spinner8449]

Man this is the stuff no one thinks about this is actually a big deal lol You gotta feed these guys to win

[@JanneRanta]

Idea for a video: How roman or maybe even other ancient civilizations distriputed and recorded information. From long range messengers, town criers to official archives.

[@BeedrillYanyan]

Janne Ranta Gaius! Julius! Caesar!

[@gapratt4955]

Do not forget the means we have learned so much from, graffiti. Romans, first taggers!

[@JanneRanta]

Yeah those are great. Pompeiis graffitti are hilarious.

[@1wor1d]

I'm sure the town crier had an ancient Donald Trump standing in the crowd yelling "FAKE NEWS"!!

[@noisemarine561]

1wor1d And another man who cried, "Not my Caesar!"

[@oyedapoarojojoye3528]

This sounds too complicated. I’ll keep my full inventory of grain costing me 20 Denars each, thank you.

[@Manny444a]

Oyedapo Arojojoye Hahaha! mount and blade?

[@maxdecphoenix]

You gotta mix it up with some beef and grapes for the morale boost, dude!

[@CazadorSlayer]

Pfft. Everyone knows you gotta get Bread and Cheese to get the best morale-to-cost ratio.

[@oyedapoarojojoye3528]

maxdecphoenix nah beef spoils too quick, maybe dried I’m willing to take the morale hit.

[@VainerCactus0]

I think you mean butter. So much butter...

[@falseshepherd5156]

"An army moves on it's stomach" Sun Tzu said that in his book the Art of War, way before the time of Napolean.

[@4Thug2Life0]

False Shepherd they didn’t say he made that up just that he said it a lot. Also on the bottom of the page when they show that quote it says unknown for the creater

[@ef.9095]

@@4Thug2Life0 i think he's referencing "Soldiers fight with swords, armies fight with rice"

[@henreyeraser3402]

Sun Tzu stole that from my boi Ceaser.

[@grunt2926]

The art of War has been a must read for military officers and soldiers for centuries, as is the book of five rings.

[@henreyeraser3402]

@@grunt2926 Not really, not every country had access to the art of war (or even translated). Also the art of war isn't really needed to become even a basic general. All Sun Tzu writes about in the art of war is common sense as far as war is concerned. I mean even untrained barbarians used what was written in the art of war, and there is no way they would have access to it (Gaul, Iberia, Germania, Britannia, etc.).

[@irish3641]

"Let's get this bread, boys." - Sun Tzu

[@itaybron]

anyone else hungry right now?

[@junior1497]

Olives and onions with garum yuuuum

[@scrella8043]

Lol I was eating cheese, crackers and salami while watching. Think it fit a bit.

[@smc1942]

Yes, I AM hungry right now... ...and on my way to PILLAGE Sonic for a cheeseburger & Onion Rings!!! And a Dr Pepper!!! Then I might raid Dairy Queen for a Blizzard!

[@novelnouvel]

Luckly i just eat some steak. Cheap one close to my place. just $6 meals.

[@mrcocoloco7200]

Ave, True to Caesar.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Mr. Hound, I love your voice.

[@InvictaHistory]

Hey man, loving your vids! Sorry for not following through on my previous offer for a collaboration but I have been rather busy. Its definitely something I want to carry though on. Maybe we could do a podcast to just chat and put that up here.

[@KingsandGenerals]

That is okay, collaborations are notoriously hard - finding a common schedule is always a problem. :-) Let's discuss it in the future. And, needless to say, great video!

[@kratosthegodofwar2593]

I've learned lots of history from both of you guys.Thank you.

[@kreynus5137]

Both of you guys gave me my history love and I thank you a lot for that. I'm eager to watch new videos of you.

[@StephenMortimer]

Using their description of the two meals ... I counted about 1200 calories K&G you know HOW much is 3,000 calories ?? (plus there was no sugar)

[@joshuamay4745]

This is amazingly well done, a difficult topic to discuss but you nailed it. Keep up the great work!

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

They marched 25 miles a day in armor with full pack, and when they stopped they built a fort, EVERY day! I seriously doubt that these guys had any fat stores on their bodies. And 3000 calories MINIMUM!

[@HighlyUnlikely_]

It was 3000 maximum

[@siddarth3955]

Indeed, most were skinny af ... Skinny and short but habituated to such strains ... Just like the farmers from third world countries, they are short and skinny but are incredibly tough ...

[@giorgiociaravolol1998]

When you want to lose some weight and you don't how do it, here's an italian proverb: the past teaches and inspires

[@predemitdeer7508]

Yeah, actually they carried walls from planks with them on the march. When they stopped they just put them together and when they left they made them into pieces again and toke them with them, except if they were in a big hurry. But still, it's quite surprising.

[@Tezcax]

@Esket dis bred Sure but special forces are only a fraction of a nation military. These were the average soldiers.

[@melindagreer4177]

This video goes to show that with the right mindset, anything about history can be absolutely entrancing.

[@lethiceichliebedich4482]

absolutely right

[@mwillblade]

I will never bad mouth an MRE ever again.

[@blastedpotato]

mwillblade this makes me wanna bad mouth it more... they eat real food

[@RayTC]

Swiss MRE isnt half bad... but the german one...

[@darnit1944]

Just so you know, the meats they ate are often black colored From the preservation of course. MREs today can be considered luxury of soldiers in the past.

[@justinsander7654]

Except for #4 which would have had you accused of attempted poison in ancient Rome

[@paaatreeeck]

@@RayTC I actually enjoyed most of the german MREs, so your soldiers must be eating pretty good xd

[@loor4753]

You’re delightfully eloquent and well-researched.I love your videos!

[@justanotherhappyhumanist8832]

This is such a great channel. I just found it earlier today, and I can’t stop watching your videos! I subscribed half way through my first one.

[@MrTsiolkovsky]

After learning that the legionaries ate Pecorino Romano cheese I went out and got some of it. It's wonderful! So salty and satisfying. Now I eat it with green olives all the time. I consider it an enjoyable link to the past.

[@takkC]

One of the few goat cheeses I eat. Good over pasta, better than parmesan imo.

[@takkC]

I have not, now I need to.

[@MrTsiolkovsky]

I think it is a sheep cheese.

[@takkC]

MrTsiolkovsky pecorino is from sheep's milk, pecora is italian for sheep

[@tommy-er6hh]

since Legionaries made cheese in the camp, I think their own cheese is a soft cheese, like Caso Fresco, or Brie

[@StephenMortimer]

This is GOOD .. more of this DOWN to the BASICS stuff !!

[@noisemarine561]

Stephen Mortimer It's the reason why Rome was so powerful. Every small detail was taken into account. Discipline was enforced to all, nobility was idolized, and people served an idea greater than their own selves. An idea that hummanity can push beyond it's limits and become far more. Sadly though, political squabling, riches, schemes, and arrogance destroyed the Empire.

[@StephenMortimer]

Their encounters with the Germanics did not help (did it?)

[@noisemarine561]

Stephen Mortimer No I don't believe it didn't. The goths and Huns were their downfall. Reason being that Rome used it's wealth to have these barbarians fight on in their place. The flaw with this plan is how loyalty, honor, respect, and strength are crippled by making someone else do things for you. -Did you know that when Rome was being sacked, the local youth cut off their thumbs. So that they couldn't hold a weapon at all. The moral of the story is cowardice destroys empires. Take a look at America, we are now too afraid to stand for our old ideals anymore.

[@StephenMortimer]

I VOTED TRUMP !!

[@noisemarine561]

Funny you mention that, someone in one of the other comments was joking about Trump being a moron who got in power. And he said there was a man in the crowd who yelled MAGA or something and the crowd laughed at him. So me being the smartass I am said there was a group in that crowd whom were entitled brats; And they whined saying, "Not my Caesar!". For they believed in cowardice tactics of boot licking to save their tattood, pierced, and decorated hides. Anyways thought you'd get the Not my president reference. I dont understand why commoners hate Disciplined people now. Because discipline, ambition, altruism, and humbleness have always been seen to me as ideal. Perhaps people hate those things because they want it to be easy. But newsflash, success is success because only few are capable to see it through.

[@yogadork_namaste]

I love little details like this. Thank you!

[@jaelee1996]

I really appreciate these videos, exploring topics less discussed but just as important.

[@ericyoung252]

The monotony of military rations??? They eat better than I do!

[@strawberryseason]

@Robs Salt-cured meats were common in the non-military population as well. Salted meats likely would have been prepared in ways that reduced their saltiness.

[@DinnerForkTongue]

You can rinse the excessive salt off jerky, you know. Do that, add to the porridge or shove it inside a piece of bread, and kablam.

[@siddarth3955]

Romans and Greeks were a society who consumed less protein ... Meat was not available all the time, it was negligible except for spartan society where kids and adults hunted for their food for the most part as the main population considered were all warriors and only helots farmed and thus to not be lazy ass or and get food served out on the plate all the time, they had to hunt to bring food, kind of a honor thing for them ... Interestingly this made their population grow taller than other Greek counterpart who due to lack of knowledge even philosophers like plato thought was due to them eating less and not giving away to indulgence ...

[@madnessincarnate8131]

@Robs You prepare salted meats by boiling them once or twice and then boiling the brine down to get whatever salt you could retrieve from it. And then you'd roast them to give them more flavor.

[@ousamadearu5960]

rations are not that prepared as you imagine, that ration is not that much and must be shared in smaller amounts

[@jengleheimerschmitt7941]

This is making me hungry. I'm going to tell this neighborhood I'm in to leave some prepared meals for me.

[@bubba8336]

And if they don’t we’ll have to come in their houses with force and take our meals

[@vbdavis]

Your videos are awesome, Invicta! I’ve used them to assist with research on my novels for years.

[@mikesommers524]

Fantastic, absolutely fantastic! Thank you for scratching that itch I’ve always wondered about! I’m a chef/former restaurant owner; this is part of EVERY campaign in the history of man; feed the troops! I’ve always been captivated as to how the legions fought and ate and vice versa. Thank you for the documentary!

[@denisyogore9660]

Greetings from the Philippines! A very interesting, and educational video. The soldiers breakfast just shed light why the European breakfast was light, consisted of cold cuts and cheese. You gained a subscriber.

[@josephdimen4278]

Nice to see one. Have a good day and God bless.

[@matasa7463]

Their lunch too! Think about what a sandwich consist of: bread, some veggies, cold cuts, and cheese! It's basically the Legionnaire's brunch stacked together. I bet if the old Roman Legionaries learned about sandwich, their ration packs would have quickly evolved into premade sandwiches or flatbread wraps.

[@Waffleman00]

Atharva Barwe : Really... You commented on a one year old post just to say that... Congrats Oh wow the guy complaining that the commenter mentioned he was from the Philippines deleted his comment. Guess I did my job.

[@kingmane908]

YP

[@Crosshill]

that sounds a lot better than a slab of salted meat and a bag of flour

[@johnhenderson4833]

To be fair, the Mediterranean has more rich farmland than a lot of the places that European colonial armies went.

[@Usammityduzntafraidofanythin]

What are they gonna do with the flour? They'd need a portable oven, lol. Probably a unit baker too. "Noooo, the baker died!" "We're fucked!" Then again, the quality of food would depend more on the cooks than on them eating what they carry. Also, it's not guaranteed that every roman soldier would have the same menu. Not all of them had meat every day. It was ancient times - things weren't standardized and just getting vellum involved skinning an animal and then working the leather until it could be written on - a lot more man hours than paper; so writing and communication was less common and administration was more expensive.

[@Crosshill]

all i know is that american units were issued that at some point, according to townsends. i hope its a worst case scenario ration, or just for those particular units whose diary or whatever he was reading just fukken slab the shitty flour ball into the coals or something, put some salty meat into a pot with whatever else you may have at hand. ships biscuit type tacks too, a lot. the foraging would probably be quite shit. i dont think you can really actually get a ration worse than flour and salted meat without having your dudes die of attrition before they get there. fresh bread, how nice

[@Usammityduzntafraidofanythin]

+Entraya Crosshill Yeah, good food would help Morale and Stamina in battle (Total War stats, lel). But I'm also sure there was plenty worse (moldy bread, or bland porridge, wilted cabbage, etc.). For some reason, pork was really common in the american south of the period. I don't know why - I thought pigs were more expensive than bread, but perhaps the rail roads enabled that kind of diet. Lots of meat sweats in the summer. Truth is, life styles didn't improve much for most people since the more prosperous periods of ancient times until probably the 1920s. Yet, the working class still varied; the skilled laborers could afford houses (essentially middle class) while the unskilled had to live in crammed tenants c. 1890s, so it's not purely categorical. Source is 'The Rise and Fall of American Growth The U.S. Standard of Living since the Civil War'

[@Crosshill]

i kinda feel like when i read your comments it just faffs off somewhere in the clouds like what are you really talking about there buddy

[@petitpanierdosier3206]

This is brilliant ! I love the style

[@username1172]

This video was fantastic! Who knew something like logistics and food could be so fascinating. Also I love the art style

[@IsThisRain]

Could you make one about soldier recruitment, deployment, and retirement?

[@clayton3939]

would you want a legionnaire or axuillary stand point or both?

[@IsThisRain]

@@clayton3939 Tbh both would be awesome. Auxiliary units and Legionnaires are so different. Both would be exciting.

[@danielzbusby]

Great idea

[@Fergusius]

I've been looking for a video on this so often ignored topic concerning everyday lives of Roman soldiers. Thank you so much for this presentation :)

[@CJODell12]

Thank you Invicta for bringing us both history and humanity with this video.

[@SkyRaker77]

can you produce more "everyday moments" videos? this is great!

[@vincivedivicilextalionas4036]

I love how you look at things from a completely different perspective. It really makes each subject in history more human and less text book sounding. Keep it up dude!

[@kaycyrus4251]

I watch this video when I have my lunch daily, makes me get more appetite

[@brokenbridge6316]

This video was so impressively informative. Someone sure did their research. Great job.

[@kaloyankatzarov9284]

Wonderful work. I love history. Not just battles but everyday life in historical eras. My focus is typically on the medieval times so it's wonderful for me to see a video like this, that helps me understand everyday life in the Roman legions. Thank you for your wonderful work. It's historical channels like this one that make up the best community in KZbin.

[@LuigianoMariano]

"The Roman Army ate two meals a day." If you need to go on a diet, look to the Roman Army as an example.

[@nulle8935]

You didnt get the 3000cal a day thing?

[@Figgy_23]

@@nulle8935 3,000 calories from 2 meals is extremely impressive for the time. Especially since every other army at the time ate like slaves.

[@jasoncarswell7458]

The sheer amount of physical labor expected of a post-Marian legionary on the march is enough to ensure only those hard as rocks could do it for long. They carried between 66 and 100 lbs of gear and marched 20-30 miles a day when necessary, all while wearing sandal-boots with no support and minimal padding. Every single night they'd stop, dig a trench and erect stakes, and eat. Next morning they'd fill in the trench, pull up the stakes and march another 20-30 miles.

[@darthplagueis13]

If want want to lose weight, just going for a legionaries diet won't be enough. You also gotta do a legionaries workout.

[@lemonvariable72]

@Harry Paul Actually yes. One of the things ancient contemporaries noted about Marius's Mules as they derided them, is that they had fantastic physical conditioning.

[@danalaniz7314]

Very informative and educational. Excellent production. Thank you so much!

[@craig5322]

Excellent work! I would definitely recommend this for a history class

[@michaelcaplin8969]

More of these! The everyday lives of people from earlier times is in my opinion so interesting, and is a needed break from the relentless military focus that people can't seem to let go of.

[@TheHalogen131]

Fantastic video. I loved everything about it: The amount of information, the art style, the voice, everything!

[@thecook2260]

Aside from the main topic of the video, it makes me so happy to see so much Mail armor depicted on Roman soldiers.

[@Endymion766]

My father says he read where the precursor of the pizza was invented by Roman soldiers on the march. They sometimes purchased pita bread and baked it over a fire with cheese, vegetables, meat, and flavored with salt and olive oil. All the ingredients seem to be available except I don't see pita mentioned in the video. I suppose you could do this with sliced regular bread and get something similar. I made it once using pita bread and it's actually quite delicious and healthy.

[@sapateirojiujitsuhonolulu5386]

they probably didn't use exactly pita bread as we know it, but some form of primitive flour bread that was pan cooked and therefore, flat in shape

[@thewisp7447]

They also made a hamburger called Isicia Omentata with minced patties, flat bread, figs, pine nuts, garum, and pepper

[@Endymion766]

Omentata actually sounds tasty.

[@kev3d]

No tomato sauce, unfortunately. Really more like an open-faced sandwich.

[@michaeljasonsaputra19991121]

Most probably, they don't use pita bread. They do have flat-shaped bread types too.

[@samtocci2391]

Would you consider posting your notes with the videos, bullet pointing the infomation? something like this: • Soldiers consume 3000 Calories per Day • 90% of Supplies carried where for food • In order to perform at top efficiency an army must be well supplied • Rations were deducted from soldiers pay and provided by the Army • Rations were 75% a type of grain and 25% Meat, Cheese and Vegetables • Salt is an Agent for presersing supplies • Forging Supplies o Aquatores gathered water o Lignatores gathered Firewood o Pabulatores Gathered Fodder for animals o Frumentatores gathered on a more large and comprehensive scale, collecting crops • Requistion of Supplies o Seizure o Forced Purchase o Private market and Sutlers Provide Supplies • Pillaging Supplies • Supplies given out on a monthly basis • Food is prepared on a squad level • Grain is consumed as Porridge or Bread • Grain was threshed before issued to soldiers • Grain is then milled into flour • Meat is baked or boiled • Cheese is made by soldiers • Olive and wine were provide in prepared state • Pre-made meals would used by requiring settlements to have meals ready for the marching army • Pre-made meals could also be made by soldiers ahead of time making Jerky and Bisciuts (Hard tack) with salt • Army would eat 2 meals a day Morning or Noon and Dinner • A Soldier would have a Pot, Knife, Spoon and maybe Earthenware(Pottery) Thanks, -Sam

[@InvictaHistory]

I do have all this written up in a script so it would be possible but I am not sure I will have the time to edit it down to a study guide. Perhaps this is something I could do in the future.

[@uninterruptedrhythm4104]

we know you're named sam, its your username

[@drdre4397]

Meandrous Phoenix that's not why he included it. You've clearly never recieved a letter. A kid I am assuming.

[@uninterruptedrhythm4104]

Themightyinvader Lol you must be an idiot. Its a youtube comment, not a letter. Try again, kiddie

[@samtocci2391]

Old habits die hard. -Sam

[@Ostentatiousnessness]

"Amateurs study tactics, professionals study logistics" -Some General dude, I can't remember.

[@CrazyTankersVN]

Sun Tzu, maybe?

[@Ostentatiousnessness]

CrazyTankersVN No he was American. But Sun Tzu could have easily said something similar.

[@malena5026]

General Robert H. Barrow what a glorious name but Sun Tzu said something like that waaaaay earlier. They all had to read The Art of War

[@Ostentatiousnessness]

Malena Sander thank you!

[@omarnadeem33]

Bradely

[@jeremita0]

Excellent video production. This is such an amazing medium!

[@siggy2609]

I really like content which focuses more on the relatable human aspect within glorious and famous armies/empires. Also, your voice is really nice and adds to the video's immersion.

[@guardArmy]

As a current active duty infantryman i find this video very interesting, because it seems that although our food during war has improved there are still a lot of similarities in that soldiers have special tasks, and have to be tactical when the time comes.

[@jamesgarcia8034]

Turn down the Hooah, cherry

[@Covey7342]

Evi1M4chine Are MREs healthy? No. Should they be consumed for long periods of time? No. Do they have a shit ton of calories and give you enough energy to fight? Yes. The Army doesn’t care about the long term affects of what they feed you, they just care about keeping you well fed while you’re fighting. The longest I’ve ever gone on just MREs is a week and I gained weight. Even though I was in the field the entire time, training and burning a lot of calories.

[@filiphabek271]

@@Covey7342 Croatian military MREs are awesome, they even have a can of honey (its healthy and energy high). I love my country!

[@MrTiberus1701]

@@Covey7342 If you read about the MRE, it’s supposed to be one per day and not breakfast, lunch, dinner.

[@xxmrbunsxx]

Love this channel. I use it extensively for more accurate worldbuilding. Thank you for this content

[@MalignantToaster]

Excellent video; thanks a ton!

[@LionZ_]

Good thing you made this since everyone in the army love the logistics people. Especially food staff.

[@c41pt41n]

Man if I was writing a story on the Roman soldier this would be really helpful. Too bad I'm just watching this because it's entertaining and a good way to learn info that I can't use.

[@DedicatedSpartan]

c41pt41n I am co-writing something with then

[@LuisAldamiz]

I think there's a most practical use to this kind of knowledge, with almost infinite everyday applications, which is realizing that work and food are fundamental to everything, that history, past or present, is not just about big deeds and big names but mostly about the "lesser" work and quotidiaineity of the common people. As Bertolt Brecht put it: Caesar conquered Gaul. Didn't he even bring a cook along? Also you may learn something about practical cooking.

[@loumalabann9303]

c41pt41n whenever i learn something that i know will never be practical i say to myself " all knowledge is good knowledge "

[@user-sf9en6sg7h]

This was a wonderful video. Thank you!

[@A.R.77]

Love these presentations. Great work!

[@skitszrat]

This is really great content! Thank you for your efforts in producing these types of videos.

[@Nozylatten]

Thankyou very much for this.

[@btetschner]

What a fantastic video, thank you so much for it.

[@Hexarth]

this is by far the best artist that has made something for the channel

[@TimmyCherry]

Rome is often one of my preferred civilizations in... Civilization. Good to know how my boys eat.

[@icedcoldkilla]

Why are they your perfered civilization?

[@ifakoladeifanla6427]

One of your best videos so far. Great content!

[@InvictaHistory]

Ifakolade Ifanla thanks, this is one of my favorite topics so far!

[@alexxavier5408]

just watched this and LOVED it. So much knowledge and really assisted my research. Got here via reddit, but couldn't give you an upvote there.

[@purpy7y]

Great quality, thank you!

[@ChiotVulgaire]

I love this stuff more than the battles themselves. How the soldiers lived day to day allows me to get a more clear picture of what life was like for these men.