The Career of a Roman Soldier - Recruitment to Retirement (All Parts) DOCUMENTARY

All parts of our documentary series on the career of a Roman soldier. Thanks to Storyblocks for sponsoring this video! Download unlimited stock media at one set price with Storyblocks: storyblocks.com/Invicta
This documentary is a compillation of all parts of our series on the career of a roman legionary. This begins with a review of how one joined the Roman army in the first place, including requirements and inspections. We then join a Roman legionary to see what legionary training was like in a Roman army boot camp. We next trace the progress of pay and promotion over the course of a soldier's career. This includes a huge number of awards and medals. And finally we conclude with the retirement of a Roman soldier. (Check out our friends @ImperiumRomanumYT)
Timestamp:
00:00 Intro
02:28 Recruitment
15:38 Boot Camp
25:01 Pay and Promotion
46:58 Medals of Honor
01:10:36 Retirement
Works Cited:
Goldsworthy, A. K. (1998). Roman Warfare
Goldsworthy, A. K. (1998). The Roman Army at War, 100 BC-AD 200. Oxford - N.Y.
Duncan-Jones, Richard (1994). Money and Government in the Roman Empire.
Webster, G. (1998). The Roman Imperial Army. London
Credits:
Research = Chris Das Neves
Script = invicta
Narration = Guy Michaels
Reenactment = Veteres Milites, Imperium Romanum
#history #documentary #rome

[@InvictaHistory]

It's never too late to make your own documentaries. I can highly recommend our sponsor, Storyblocks! Download unlimited stock media at one set price with Storyblocks: storyblocks.com/Invicta

[@Ace-cr9qt]

Are you guys going to make a another fantasy video? I love ❤️ when you guys make those and Don’t get me wrong I love ❤️ the history videos to

[@gregoryminor5823]

When you say that the soldiers would surely find a way to mark them in a way of hazing it looks like he drew a dick on his arm

[@InvictaHistory]

@@gregoryminor5823 didnt see any comment nor delete any in this video besides some of those obvious porn ad accounts. Not sure what happened to yours. Might be because I re-ded this pinned comment with an edit.

[@gregoryminor5823]

@@InvictaHistory hell there's no telling then either way it's a good video looking forward to your next one

[@johnmeyers2130]

can you do another warhammer one?

[@elcabbage2306]

I am continually amazed by the Roman Empire, like by how incredibly advanced they were compared to their contemporaries. So many of their practices are still used today, one that stuck out to me is how you mentioned they were compensated for travel. At least in the US government, compensation for travel costs is still known as ‘Per Diem’ to this day

[@kr-ayush]

Software Engineer was my second career choice first was to join roman army and become a legionary 😂

[@nuclearmedicineman6270]

Which did you end up going with?

[@kr-ayush]

@@nuclearmedicineman6270 unfortunately a software engineer

[@maxivisionvermont1333]

Im a roman legionary and became a roofer lol probly clisest profession lol s😂

[@kr-ayush]

@@maxivisionvermont1333 maybe some day i will open a wood crafting shop and wooden furniture and try to be a roman craftsman

[@ramenbomberdeluxe4958]

@@maxivisionvermont1333 Don't worry, Hastati, you'll probably be great at building walls, that Caesar fellow loves his walls :)

[@zacsayer1818]

“What was the name of our Roman source again?” “Forgetius.” “Yeah, me too!”

[@Echiewel]

Ah, nevermind, we'll just call the soldier Titus Manlius and call it a day.

[@zacsayer1818]

@@Echiewel 🤣

[@johnwatters6922]

Incontentia Buttocks

[@lorenzoalbertomedina6753]

@@johnwatters6922 You all enjoy watching 40's/50's Gladiator movies ?

[@Sharigan561]

@@johnwatters6922 Biggus Dickus?

[@mooncake8254]

After been with this channel for over 5 years. I came to realize it's the voice. It's soo good!

[@Bnailling]

14:10 nothing like a phallus tattoo to keep track of who is who 😂

[@gregoryminor5823]

I said the same thing earlier I guess he didn't like the word I used because my comment was deleted but yeah that's one hell of a way to Haze someone

[@S.P.Q.Rrespublicas]

@@gregoryminor5823 youtube often deletes comments, so it is unlikely the creator. Sorry if this sounds....well annoying.

[@gregoryminor5823]

@@S.P.Q.Rrespublicas the Creator's already responded to me and explain to me that he did not delete my comment and I believe him I understand that KZbin likes to screw with people

[@whatsgoingon71]

Drawing dicks on a new Boot, is probably the meldest form of hazing in military history...​@@gregoryminor5823

[@ulfosterberg9116]

Getting popular again...

[@halflingactual3275]

Crazy how military training is still so similar to how it was conducted centuries ago. Edit: I saw a similarity in training compared to my own military training: First phase: administration and health check, being introduced to NCOs. Then conditioning and physical fitness. Second phase: drill, weapons training and longer, more difficult marches etc. Third phase: getting ready for campaign and/or additional training.

[@pauliemc2010]

Not really considering the fundamentals of combat have never changed.

[@Darkpara1]

The Roman army was particularly organized for the time. They were the old world's masters of logistics..

[@EquinoxGate]

Almost like it was tried and tested

[@SirFigsAlot]

Yea as the video kept going along I could see more and more comparisons to my experience in the army and the overall general experience of the military and the laws. Amazing how Rome set the groundwork for centuries to come

[@ulfosterberg9116]

@@SirFigsAlot "what have the romans ever done for us. " quote Monty python.

[@mattiemathis9549]

This has to be one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen. I put this on to fall asleep to, but I’m so impressed by the quality of information I can’t sleep. Great job! Thank you

[@azurephoenix9546]

It's so interesting that many veterans choose to group together after fighting together, even now when there's no free land and funding to do so. I think war forges bonds between people that only other people who have seen it, suffered it and struggled through it can really understand.

[@slpc885]

I cant believe this is for free

[@hairyjohnson2597]

Thanks for this video! I am currently in the process of writing a historical fiction book about a young soldier joining the legions snd fighting under caesar in Gaul and ultimately becoming an aquilifer. I've been trying to find as much information as I could about a new recruit and the process and this just made it so much easier, thanks! Love your content!

[@HistoryHaty]

Good for you.👍Nothing better then a good book. Keep up the good work.

[@yorkshireaquatics9537]

Very good for you man. Smash it out! Takes so much work writing a good book. Good luck with the whole process. My cousin has been world building his fictional project for a 5 book series for around 10 years or more now. I've seen his spreadsheets with all the information of the world on and it blows my mind how much work he's done.... after 10 years he's about ready to start writing it now 😂😂

[@graham5716]

Leap fellow soldiers

[@zacsayer1818]

Good luck!

[@larsi4139]

U will probably know. Of it But eagle of the empire is such a good book series

[@harvkidable]

Love this series, the effort that goes into them is simply incredible

[@KS-PNW]

This was really well done. Thanks for putting it together!

[@yoyoyickityyo]

Outdone yourself again. Thank you for this effort.

[@-RONNIE]

Thank you for a really good video it explains a lot for people that do not know about it. I actually learned a couple new things myself.

[@qetiogusliriope7436]

8:30 very true. My father would beguile me with stories and when my boys and I enlisted, our mothers cried.

[@KaboosOnX1]

This was great. I’d ask a question in my head and the next section of the video would answer it. Thanks man🤙🏼

[@user-ss2wf5yj2b]

probably the best ancient Rome documentary I've ever seen on you tube keep up the great work

[@thomyt2192]

always love the ancient rome content. it may feel oversaturated but the more sources that provide information and/or documentaries on it, the more holistically I and others can understand and admire the period. keep going, I say!

[@brianforry5524]

One of the most thorough, well put together documentaries on the Tube.

[@davidoh14]

Brilliant. Thank you for the effort.

[@ducomaritiem7160]

Very well done, I really enjoyed this compilation ❤

[@prestonyannotti7661]

I love you man i really appreciate the work you do

[@craigfroese6689]

Excellent information. Loved the use of quotes.

[@peterreston6478]

Excellent and comprehensive presentation.

[@mtathos_]

awesome, finally!

[@tack4054]

This was fantastic

[@AbhyudayaSinh]

Very informative ❤❤

[@Aaron14LifeZZZ]

Surviving 25 years is insane

[@Ideo7Z]

Imagine doing that the entire time as a private. 25 yrs is senior NCO time as Sargeant Majors in modern armies.

[@Darkpara1]

Depends what kind of service they got I guess. 25 years as a regular infantryman fighting campaigns with no promotion has got to have been shit.

[@vladimirboskovic]

That's the point 😂

[@JH-JMH]

​@Ideo7Z 25 year grunt lol

[@swampfox1776.]

Why?

[@chrispy804]

I hope youtube gets it's stuff together and starts promoting educational and entertaining channels like this again. We need more documentaries and less "farmed content"

[@chicinthewoods]

Great stuff!

[@martinlutherking1793]

your content is wonderful, please make an Video about Assyrian professional military

[@Xurium]

I want more of this!!! Muuuuch more :D

[@Godl0ves]

‼️‼️ That was an incredible ‼️‼️ experience 🙏❤️ Love from Scotland ❤️🙏

[@rickcardenas8841]

Awesome!!! Thank you

[@MartinSjoholm]

Best documentary ever

[@annikablake2545]

Great video!

[@Mr.KaganbYaltrk]

Roman History is the best btw so caesar's career like this

[@user-cd4bx6uq1y]

Have no idea why would I want to know that but this channel is always reliably good

[@Elsidu13]

This was a interesting documentary

[@Starcraft2Krauts]

What a great video.

[@sethshams]

Thank you

[@georgecristiancripcia4819]

Very nice video

[@lknanml]

Having gone through basic training (at 34 but that's a story for another comment) I can say MEPS hasn't changed much since the Roman days........... You want me to walk like a what? A duck? Should I quack as well? What do you mean get ready to do a lot of pushups with my sense of humor? I in fact did end up doing A LOT of pushups with my sense of humor...............

[@The_SmorgMan]

You know your joke is good when HR wants to hear it in person.

[@lknanml]

@@The_SmorgMan I got ahold of an HR complaint document and used to keep it folded up in my shoulder pocket whenever a bad joke made it through my "don't ever say this to other people no matter how funny your think it is filter". I'd pull it out right after I made a smart ass remark that REALLY crashed and burned with people saying "WTF did you just say" and would unfold it while saying " I have all my info prefilled up here. Just make your comments here , sign there and take it to SFC (pick a name) and he will take care of it err you ahh I mean me...... Saved my ass 3 times for REAL until I fixed that social filter for good.......

[@The_SmorgMan]

@@lknanmlthat’s legendary! I’ll keep that story in mind

[@lordeden2732]

If it's not broken why change it

[@yuthdecay9247]

The total war Rome music was a nice touch

[@kaylaantonio6460]

Sick testudo! 🤙🏽🛡️🛡️🛡️

[@colebevans8939]

Rome had a lot of flaws but also had some fantastic principles. The way the used and treated the army has to be one of their greatest strengths and something we could learn from. 25 years of service granting you tax exemptions, citizenship, and land? We could learn from this. Offer approved immigrant families citizenship in exchange for 25 years of service. No income tax for veterans of 25 years. Offer to give veterans free homes and land in struggling communities to bring in a strong positive influence. Finally the infrastructure. Outside of combat; put the military to work. Certain deployments are public service based; build new roads, schools, ports, etc. That gives the nation better infrastructure and trains thousands of soldiers in various skilled trades that they can then use in retirement. Roman’s absolutely knew how to use the military to not just win wars, but to create a national identity, a strong culture, and build community’s.

[@jackbed5080]

Rich. Thanks.

[@Nervii_Champion]

To see through the eyes of a man of the 10th or 13th legions under Julius Caesar, or as a man whom was in the elite cavalry/units of Alexander is something that fascinates my imagination. I think about stuff like that when I go on runs and lift weights rather than listen to music. Like that one time a standard bearer under Julius Caesar announced that he was going to serve Roma bravely when everyone else was scared to step off the ships onto Brittania, and then everyone else followed his lead to go meet the tribal army standing in front of them. Moments like that spike my testosterone like nothing else.

[@lucasgaudio3720]

You can just thell those reenactors did not wanna damage their expensive stuff. Good for them. You did something amazing, it does matter your hasta throw did not look great

[@Michael-vp9gs]

The Roman Army was the first modern army. All Armies post middle ages are copies of the Roman Army with variations.

[@davidstevenson9517]

Not necessarily the first, Michael; 500BCE saw the first Chinese emperor form an equivalent to the Roman Army to serve his newly formed Empire. The similarities between these coexisting empires is usually overlooked by Western observers. Hello from New Zealand, a small, weak nation defended by the smallest and weakest army in Western Civilization (except Luxembourg).🇳🇿💂‍♂️🌴🌊

[@evertjan9479]

​@@davidstevenson9517Fear not Iceland doesn't even have an army. Then again they keep being voted the most peaceful country in the world, 17 times in a row apparently. Greetings from the Netherlands, crappy army, but good weed though🤣👍🇳🇱

[@xXSlyfoxMinionXx]

Good to see MEPS hasnt changed in over 2000 years

[@RafaelC015]

Are you guys able to do an episode like this for a medieval man-at-arms? The household troops/retainers of medieval nobility that aren’t knights?

[@peppolobuondelmonte]

Fabrizio said: "My Romans [as I have said], as long as they were wise and good, never permitted that their citizens should take up this practice as their profession, notwithstanding that they were able to raise them at all times, for they made war at all times: but in order to avoid the harm which this continuous practice of theirs could do to them, since the times did not change, they changed the men, and kept turning men over in their legions so that every fifteen years they always completely re-manned them:" -Machiavelli, Niccolo "The Art of War" Book I

[@pliniohokama9133]

The first part reminded me a lot of my recruitment phase in the French foreign legion

[@nobodyknows3180]

I cannot help but think that the "Pax Romana" was brought about by the stabilizing influence of these many 'retirement colonies' through which Roman culture was spread, and which attracted people and fostered local commerce and prosperity.

[@gleeart]

The esprit de corps that endured in the legions is a true achievement in history, & has never been equalled. Nothing endures & nothing lacks a downside, that loyalty turned against itself wherein legions started to elect their emperors, that could work but when it didn't there were proto German watchers with their nascent efficiency traits just waiting to pounce. The legions became a state within a state effectively, they could be so close knit. That often turns toxic but nonetheless they could be ready to die as a unified body, as one did in formation according to the account of the major battle between Trajan & the Dacians, all dead but keeping the correct positions, & from a purely military viewpoint that is all that can be asked. .

[@tedtimmis8135]

My guess is that the real Roman soldier was far more impressive than the reenactors. Also, they must have been incredibly fit.

[@ulfosterberg9116]

Look at old photos. Noone was as fluffy as we are today even some thirty years ago. And people did not have these "strap on muscles" that some have nowadays. Look at Johnny wiesmuller playing tarsan. He was a swimmer at that time.

[@alexanderstockel6497]

First thing i thought when watching the enlistment part was how much it was like a Ancient meps

[@nsahandler]

I think you skipped over a major part of these awards and their role to the *average soldier.* People didn't walk around wearing crowns. A person might wear one for a day, or on campaign, or to show off in the city (if it made it that far), but it was considered bad form to keep and wear any crown. What they were literally being given was an item that they could either keep forever or to melt down and use to buy things. The metal awards - especially the golden ones - were their own type of bonus checks.

[@Ajaylix_history_shorts]

He did mention that wearing the crowns daily was seen as a disrespect to others, since Rome hated kings during the republican era, and also the fact that a Roman soldier almost always have top wear helmets

[@nsahandler]

@@Ajaylix_history_shorts yeah but the metals it was made of were part of the reward to most.

[@TheFrogEnjoyer]

This channel is what i wish history class was like

[@tevinlong4888]

50% chance of reaching retirement with the perks in that era!😮 Sign me up!!!

[@jakehailo]

14:08 is wild

[@Snarmeggedon]

Damn, the woman reenacting as a grieving family members SOLD that shit.

[@shable1436]

This is better than a us army recruit video

[@thethirdboard2312]

24 miles in 5 hours. If 1 mile is 1.6 km, so, 38.4 km in 5 hours or, 7.7 km for an hour, carrying heavy equipment.

[@evertjan9479]

I looked at several sites about classical antiquety and they gave a length of 1.478 km or 1.481 km for 1 Roman Mile. 29.6 cm for 1 Roman Foot. And apparently most of those are still used in the Anglo-Saxon countries of today. And here I thought the Americans didn't like the European measurements and weights etc. (But secretly they do, even if it is to think about Rome atleast once per day🤣)

[@georgecristiancripcia4819]

Is one the the actors,expecially at the begining,is the actor who played Titus Pullo in Rome tv show?

[@user-tw8nh3fh2y]

😎😎😎AWESOME VID😎😎😎

[@GreatestEverGuy]

what is the music that you use, please?

[@nuclearmedicineman6270]

Sounds eerily familiar.

[@newpointe601]

Soldier of Rome The Legionary talks about the training alot in the first part of the book.

[@tomservo5347]

Upon reading 'Nero's Killing Machine' many Roman soldiers bore scars of beatings by their centurions that carried grapevine stalk 'discipline sticks' designed to inflict maximum pain without debilitating the soldier. On the flipside many centurions knew well the dangers of being overly sadistic as they'd be the first ones targeted and most likely revenge killed during a mutiny-and the Roman Army had many of them. Even back then the command structure knew complaining soldiers was a good sign-when they became silent was when one worried.

[@geoffmarr7526]

This was a fantastic history lesson.

[@user-cd4bx6uq1y]

How much money could they earn as an organization that provides extras for filming and events?

[@davidstevenson9517]

"Centurions led from the front... and experienced disproportionate casualties" (42:10). The Great War saw the British Army suffer similar disproportionate fatalities amongst officers and NCOs: 17% were killed in action whilst enlisted men suffered 10% (Total BEF dead: one million). Four British generals were killed in frontline action (excluding Kitchener). This higher percentage has been submerged in the common belief that officers dawdled in the rear areas while the enlisted men took on the brunt of the fighting.

[@bvbxiong5791]

my great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, grandfather grew up in a veteran's colony in Hispania!

[@HistoryHaty]

How do you have videos of Roman life. Do you guys have reenactments.

[@robertomahaffey6172]

Hmmmm

[@alexlaws5086]

Nope, they went back in time with HD cameras to capture it all.

[@ctirons]

They explain at the beginning of the video that it’s Imperium Romanum, a re-enactment group.

[@HistoryHaty]

@@alexlaws5086 Lol

[@boki102409]

14:07 life of Brian reference?

[@markrossow6303]

so there is a burial marker statue along the Rhine River for a Jewish Roman soldier with the common nickname / adopted name "Pantera" James Tabor has a blog post about it

[@a.d.clarke4990]

59:44 didn’t Sulla win one too? 🤔

[@Screwball70]

Im lucky i was raised but a few mile from Chester so i spent a lot of time walking the old city walls or standing in the amphitheatre, to dressing up as a roman soldier on school trips so i had a love of all things not just roman but all things ancient. Oh and yes there are many ' cock & balls ' etched into stonework around chester, even the ancient men loved graffiti, snd especially falic graffiti lol.

[@lawindacera7219]

Good to see that romans have the same sense of humor as modern peoples do

[@jasoncuculo7035]

Paperwork or papyrus work made from Egyptian reeds?

[@vanguze]

You know I could get down with that kind of life...we are really missing out on so much of the human element to life now with the way things are.

[@mongolianfishingvillages1371]

Yup

[@grahamparr3933]

Not sure about re ectopi

[@wijpke]

Very interesting the Roman army was also involved with building infrastructure 😊Much better than the army's of today not doing anything in peace time ... think we have gone backwards.Also when a region was conquered all that happened was that proper infrastructure was put in place for taxes to be paid to Rome but the locals can rule themselves according to rules laid out by Rome like a Mc Donald's franchise.I think Africa can benefit vastly from such a system....

[@pyeitme508]

Wow

[@robertomahaffey6172]

Haven't seen the whole video just thumbnail. Wasn't some terms like 16 years then 20 then 25?

[@evertjan9479]

It varied throughout the existence of the empire. (various sources give various durations)

[@DaveSCameron]

Our history of wars with our Channel neighbours France , or Gaul as was, is quite something, I’m aware of Norman and his serfs taking advantage of Harry straight from his victory over those other envious pretenders from across the North Sea and their giving us one in the eye back in 1066 however one has to delve deep to discover any more examples of our Entente enemies winning the day. Meanwhile we have countless recorded victories over France and without exception they’ve all been over on their once British soil not to mention the half decent literature that has spun off our millennia’s long rinsing the backwards lavatorians over our Channel. #OurHistory 📚☘️

[@ThePrader]

After 25 years of military service a retired soldier should be exempt from the income tax. Why aren't they now?

[@Moon-li9ki]

how do you even return to civilian life after 25 years in the army? Like, the man spent his entire life as a soldier, what else he can do besides being a soldier?

[@mongolianfishingvillages1371]

Your retire with land and money

[@germanmandalorian3514]

To bad I dont have any Garrum(and something for it of course) to enjoy this.

[@sylviegonzalez1153]

Try Tasting History with Max Miller he made some garum. You could get the recipe lol 😊

[@syahminorizan8064]

You had me at Garum.

[@nuclearmedicineman6270]

You could always sip a nice cool glass of posca while you watch.

[@TitoWllyStrs]

make Indonesian subtitle, please.

[@RCsev070]

Last time I was this early, I hadn't enrolled in the Roman army yet.

[@waterbottlecrinkle6973]

1:00:58 this biblical Glzing

[@Yashu1105]

34:20 as a former Infantryman I second this. Booze and Hookers.......

[@stephenlamoreaux3252]

Roma invicta!

[@Bob-zs3ro]

Brilliant ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jimrutherford2773]

I fought in the Roman Army, in another life.

[@jishnudey5845]

First to like and comment