Something for the weekend. The Roman march song from the remake of Ben-Hur. One of the more overlooked features of the legions is how rapidly they could march, and not just over good Roman roads. They would routinely march 20 Roman miles, 18.4 of our miles, in five hours, carrying their armor, weapons and equipment. Rhythmic marching songs helped them accomplish this feat. At the end of the march they would then construct a camp, with stockade and surrounding trench, before bedding down for the night. Attacking a fortified Roman camp was usually an elaborate way of committing suicide. Few troops in history have a more well deserved rep than the Roman legions.
Bonus:
” Attacking a fortified Roman camp was usually an elaborate way of committing suicide.”
This tickled my funny bone…and enlivened my day.
Martium Carmen Legionis Excellentissimum et Gloriosissimum!