Principes
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Principes were a class of infantry in the Camillan and Polybian legions of the early Roman republic. Principes were medium infantry who were originally armed with short spears, or hastae, but were eventually re-armed with short swords, or gladii, as their main weapons, and also carried two heavy javelins called pila for ranged effectiveness.[1] Their equipment was similar to that of the hastati, except most wore heavier armour, usually chainmail, though some wore plate cuirasses, as they were drawn from men in the prime of their life who were usually wealthy enough to afford such armour. They carried large convex rectangular shields, called scuta for protection and had three large feathers attached to their helmets to make them look taller and more intimidating.[2] Each maniple of principes had 40 velites, javelin-armed light infantry, assigned to it.[3]
Units of principes formed the second line in a legion. The hastati in the first line were usually the first to engage the enemy, and if they failed to rout or wipe out the enemy or began to tire, they could retire behind the lines for rest and let the heavier and more experienced principes take over.[3] An early Roman legion contained about 1200 principes.[4]
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[edit] Equipment and usage
Principes were drawn from men in the prime of their life; late twenties and early thirties, and could afford chainmail, helmets and scuta, large, hide covered, convex wooden shields, to protect themselves. Greaves were worn on the leading leg, to prevent enemies from hacking at them underneath the shield.[1] They also wore three large feathers attached to the top of their helmets in an attempt to appear taller and more intimidating to the enemy, and to be easily visible to their officers from a distance.[1][3]
Principes were originally armed with spears, called hastae, and carried on using these for a few years after the hastati had been rearmed with the gladii, short stabbing swords. Eventually principes were issued with swords, and were trained to stab and thrust rather than cut and slash; according to the writer Polybius "A stroke with the edges, though made with ever so much force, seldom kills, as the vital parts of the body are defended both by the bones and armor. On the contrary, a stab, though it penetrates but two inches, is generally fatal."[5] The principes, like other heavy legionaries, also carried two pila, heavy javelins with soft metal points, designed to bend on impact to prevent the enemy throwing them back.[6] In the earlier Camillan legion, hastati had been armed with spears, called hasta, which gave the hastati their name.[6]
Principes formed 10 maniples of 120 men each, with 40 velites attached to each maniple.[7] They usually formed the first line of heavy infantry in the legion, though the velites often formed up in front of them to harass the enemy with javelins before battle.[3] The principes were generally expected to win the battle if the hastati did not succeed, and failure usually led to the loss of the battle.[4][7]
[edit] History
The principes were originally picked from the hastati for their experience and fitness, and were similarly, though better equipped than the them. Origninally armed with a spear, they were eventually issued with the short gladius which they had encountered the Iberian tribes using to great effect[6][3]
At the battle of Cannae, often viewed as Rome's most embarrassing defeat, the bulk of the Roman forces were principes. As the Romans advanced, they pushed the enemy in front of them back while the Carthaginians beside them remained where they were, eventually surrounding the Romans. The entire Roman force of 50,000 legionaries was lost.[8]
With the reforms of Gaius Marius, the hastati were disbanded and all legionaries were equipped with the same state-purchased equipment. The army also became more professional. Rather than quickly raising armies for various campaigns, citizens would join the army for a set number of years service before retiring with a pension.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c unrv.com (php). Gear and tactics. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
- ^ oldandsold.com (shtml). Roman armour and military dress. Retrieved on 2008-05-20.
- ^ a b c d e f roman-empire.net (html). The Roman Army. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
- ^ a b penelope.uchicago.edu (html). Exercitus. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
- ^ sonshi.com (html). Vegetius: Military matters. Retrieved on 2008-05-23.
- ^ a b c fordham.edu (html). Polybius, History, book 6. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ a b spiritus-temporis.com. Velites. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ roman-empire.net (html). The Battle of Cannae. Retrieved on 2008-05-18.
