Robert and co' watch; Tactics: Earliest Roman Armies by Kings and Generals.
AU: Remember the characters are acting on biases and limited information. Enjoy.
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Robert: Alright, what prattle are the bards going to bore us with today?
Ned: Your Grace it appears to be a series on the military of 'Rome'.
Cersei: The cowards that used all opportunity to sabotage themselves?
Tyrion: My dear sister, that was only a shadow of their former greatness, I for one am quite interested in how they conquered all that land.
Cersei: The lands that they would lose?
Robert: Enough, Ned! Start the mummery.
For centuries the imperial Roman army at its peak has inspired and awed people around the world. Its tactics, discipline and organization made it the greatest army of its time (show legionnaires being shuffled around).
Jaime: Off to a good start I see.
Tywin: Yes, great men with whose achievements would be squandered by their unworthy successors.
Arrya: You would know about that wouldn't you?
Tywin: Careful…
Robert: Ha. Your girl got spirit Ned.
Ned: Arya! Enough. Lord Lannister, please forgive my daughter.
Tywin: I shall…
But it did not begin in the stereotypical way it is often seen (show Roman hoplite and later legionary). Centuries of development and war was necessary to make the Roman Army the disciplined, well-oiled machine that it turned into (show hoplite removed).
Robert: That is often how great armies are created, constant warfare weeds out those unable to fight until only the able are left.
Tyrion: You may be correct, however for every great army created after a conflict there lay thousand forgotten.
Ned: And that is even if the realm is able to continue hostilities after a war. Even the victor needs to lick his wounds.
Robert: Bah! Show some more spirit.
In this series, we shall cover it all, starting with the proto armies of the Roman kingdom and early Republic (Show Roman spearman levy).
Robert: Proto army? What by the Seven does that mean.
Tyrion: Perhaps the King did not have martial authority in the realm.
Stannis: Impossible, no King rules without an army.
Luwing: My lords, perhaps our bards have a different meaning of army?
Ned: Could you clarify Maester?
Luwing: Yes, my lord. Certain languages, and cultures have different meaning for words that overlap with more than their translation should suggest. Perhaps this is one such case.
Jaime: Or perhaps their army was so weak that historians don't consider it a real army?
Rober: As good ideas as any, I suppose.
The great city on the Tiber was founded in around 753BC (Show Rome in background), supposedly by the Brothers Romulus and Remus, though it is likely this is a myth. The two brothers disagreed on who should rule, and Romulus killed Remus (Show more primitive settlement with the two Brothers arguing ending in Romulus killing Remus).
Ned: Fratricide! Their first King was a Kinslayer? No wonder Rome had such a humiliation end.
Joffrey: How could they disagree on who should rule? It's always the eldest brother.
Luwing: Perhaps they were twins?
Ned: Perhaps, or perhaps not.
Cersei: No matter. The fool, Remus, played the game and lost.
He gave the city its name 'Rome'.
Robert: I bet he did.
Ned: Not only did he slay his brother, but he also made sure to immortalize himself doing it.
Arrya: Disgusting.
It was situated among many other warlike people, such as the Etruscans and Italic hill tribes (show Rome's position).
Robert: Finally, the good stuff.
Jaime: Indeed, lets see how these Romans fight.
Tywin: What fool are these Romans to settle in such a position it's in the middle of everything?
Robert: Bah! It worked out in the end, didn't it?
Stannis: It was an unnecessary risk.
Ned: They may not have had a choice when winter comes people can not simply move. They hunker down and hope all preparations were made.
Robert: See! Ned gets it.
Ned: Your Grace I-
Robert: Moving on.
This meant that the people in this young city had to concern themselves with military prowess from the very start (A shield appears at Rome's territory).
Stannis: And so, an army is born.
Jaime: Indeed. From what they told us earlier it would be quite the army.
Arya: Fight, fight, fight.
Robert: Ha. Ned, your daughter has the right idea.
As the nature of their military adversaries changed, so did their tactics.
Robert: Makes sense. Not every foe can be beaten the same way.
Arya: Didn't you smash all your foes with a hammer?
Robert: Some ways are better than others.
The eight century BC was a busy time for the Italian Peninsula. Greek colonist from city states had increasingly landed in the south and created settlements such as Tarentum and Cumae (show Greek pop's migrating to Magna Graecia).
Tywin: I see. This would push many locals away.
Ned: Up north where they themselves would try to colonize.
Stannis: A vicious cycle that would be broken by any King worth their throne.
Arya: This sound like the Andal invasion.
Ned: Arya!
Tywin: Lord Stark. You should try to teach your children subtlety.
In this period, Rome, which was north of Magna Graecia, probably did not have a true 'army'. Instead, small, and informal bands of fighters based upon the Roman gentes, or clans, were commanded by their clan leaders (show lightly armed spearmen lead by an armored swordsman).
Robert: Ned, this sounds familiar.
Ned: Indeed. I believe this is similar to the mountain clans of the Vale.
Stannis: There are also similarities with our feudal contract. Though more primitive.
Ned: Indeed.
An example of this would be the warband of the Fabii clan, which numbered 306 kinsmen and supporters, according to Livy (show the Hoplites maintained by the Fabii).
Joffrey: What is the difference between them and us?
Cersei: When we call our banners it is the lords who answer based on their land and titles. But when they do so, it is the houses.
Tywin: Fools.
Joffrey: Why, grandfather?
Tywin: Think my prince. A house that is always armed and ready for war. Rather than relying on bannermen, who may be split and disunited, these Romans have given the entirety of the houses the means and organization necessary to fight.
Cersei: Indeed, all it would take would be one incident and this 'Fabii' could rebel without having to call their banners or justify their grievances outside of the family.
Warfare during this early period was limited and consisted mainly of small-scale raiding and the stealing of cattle from other clans (show cattle 'migrating' to Rome).
Robert: Just like the mountain clans.
Ned: Or wildlings.
Stannis: Thieves and robbers. What else are these Romans going to be.
Tyrion: Conquers.
Occasionally however, the Roman clans would join together in order to face an external threat (show hoplites of different colors joining up).
Robert: At least they know how to join up.
Tywin: War always unites people.
Ned: That is true in any hardship. During winter people will always be closer than during summer.
Robert: I get it Ned! I'll investigate our food stores after this mummery.
Ned: Thank you, your grace.
Tywin: If only Cersei could do the same.
Robert: What, stare at food and without eating it?
Tywin: Perhaps.
It is probable that infantry during this time was lightly or completely unarmored, and only carried light shields and leather helmet (show hoplites being downgraded).
Robert: It truly is like the 'clans.
Arya: And wildlings.
Stannis: Yes, lightly armed infantry. Still, if properly led it can pose a significant danger.
Arya: Why, isn't more armor better?
Tyrion: Yes, but sometimes the extra amour will cost more than it will benefit. There is a reason the Dornish are not keen on heavy horse.
Ned: The Dornish still have amour. The early Romans did not.
Joffrey: Impressive that they would conquer so much land.
Jaime: Amor can be acquired; I am more curious about how their horse was.
Cersei: Of course, the horse would have armor. It is only the rabble that fight on foot.
Robert: I crushed Rhaegar on foot.
Cersei: I stand correct.
When united, Livy claims that the whole army numbered exactly 3,000 infantry and 300 cavalry (Show Roman light infantry and cavalry).
Stannis: Only? How would they accomplish anything.
Luwing: My lord. Please remember that this is Rome's earliest army.
Ned: Aye. We saw how many men they could arm later.
These warriors served under six captains who in turn served under a general (show six heavily armored spearmen). This general was usually the King or a general appointed by the King (show Royal general).
Ned: As expected.
Joffrey: Appointing generals to fight for me? Could I fight multiple wars at the same time? Perhaps…
Tywin: Careful boy. Never start a fight you can't win swiftly.
By looking deeper into Livy's work, it can be deducted that this early 'legion' consisted of mostly pilumnid, or javelin throwers, whereas there was only a smaller amount of aquites – Archers (show javelin thrower and archer).
Robert: Their armament is sh*t.
Ned: They appear to favor a ranged engagement Your Grace.
Robert: I know what I said.
References in Livy to flexuentes may also imply that the early Roman army could call on a number of early chariots (show early chariot).
Robert: Not the best, but we are getting somewhere.
Arya: I want a war chariot.
Joffrey: A chariot would suit my royal needs as well.
Ned: No.
Arya: Why?
Robert: Girl. Boy. If you show promise, I'll get you those damned chariots.
Ned: Your Grace?
Robert: If I can get the boy to focus on something good, then I will do that.
Ned: Yes, Your Grace… I'll find the funds.
It was in this period that Rome was conquered for the first time by their Etruscan neighbors in the north, and so their Kings became Etruscan themselves (Show Roman borders change colors and portraits of Etruscan Kings).
Robert: Lets see what these Etruscan's can do.
Stannis: More than the Romans if they could conquer them.
Cersei: That would hardly be a prodigious task.
It is likely that the new rulers brought a mode of military organization to Rome. It is likely that the transition from disorganized warbands to tightly packed phalanx occurred gradually, rather that all at once (show Roman formation becoming more disciplined).
Stannis: Like the Conqueror.
Robert: Do not speak of Dragonspawn in my presence.
Ned: He is right Your Grace.
Tywin: At least someone is taking control of this rabble.
Arya: A true northern King.
Ned: Arya!
Robert: Calm down Ned. She has bigger balls than half this city combined.
Tywin: Lord Stark. Would you like me to tutor your daughter in manners?
Ned: That will not be necessary lord Lannister. I will do so myself after we are finished here.
Tyrion: I am curious about this phalanx.
Stannis: Indeed. The formation seems solid, though it lacks flexibility.
Robert: A question for latter.
The sources from this early period are scarse because it was not until the 3rd century BC when the Romans began writing their own histories.
Luwing: They do not write their own history. How dreadful.
Tyrion: I shall write a book for them.
Robert: What's the title dwarf?
Tyrion: The best whor*house in Westeros.
Robert: Sounds like my kind of book.
However, it seems that between 600- and 500BC, the Roman Army instituted significant changes and became much more organized (show the Roman Army drastically increase in size).
Stannis: We now know when they were in a serious war.
Joffrey: What do you mean uncle?
Stannis: There are only three times that militaries are reformed drastically. When you are in great peril, have lost a war or if you have suffered a disaster.
Cersei: Or fourth, if there are political considerations.
The legendary Sixth King of Rome, Servius Tullius, embarked on a wide-ranging series of reforms which profoundly affected the organization of the Roman army (show picture of Servius Tullius).
Robert: A good king. Preparing for war.
Tywin: Indeed. It would seem that these Etruscan are better warriors than their southern neighbors.
Joffrey: The Romans would win.
Arya: Indeed. After the Etruscans taught them their way of war.
He introduced a census of the populus due to the inadequacies of aristocratic organization to raise troops (show list of pleps).
Ned: Your Grace I propose that-
Robert: Do it.
Ned: Your Grace?
Robert: Either I agree with you now, or you will nag me until I do so later.
Ned: Thank you, Your Grace.
Tywin: Daughter, you have much to learn.
Cersei: Yes father.
This was used to designate five classes of soldier from the population, based on social class and monetary status. The wealthiest infantry morphed into something resembling their southern Greek neighbors, and adopted the equipment of the famous hoplites; a helmet, breastplate greaves, hoplon, spear and sword (show Hoplite and highlight individual parts).
Robert: Lords on foot?
Stannis: Perhaps a lack of horses?
Robert: No matter. Ned.
Ned: Your Grace?
Robert: Don't blindly copy them, see if you can modify it to suit our needs.
Tywin: These Romans are not complete fool. They are willing to learn from their enemies. Efficient.
Ned: It is often our enemies who have the most to teach us.
Tywin: Quite right Lord Stark.
However, their equipment was not provided by the state, and only the well-off citizen could afford it (show hoplite denied money by state).
Robert: As it should be. No prissy noble is going to demand money from me.
Stannis: That they have to specify may imply that this would be implemented later.
Ned: How would they afford such a thing.
Tywin: Some lands are richer than others.
Arya: And some conquer others.
Tywin: Lord Stark, may we speak of a fostering.
Ned: Later Lord Lannister.
The majority of poor soldiers in the fifth class continued to serve as the unarmored light infantry, with slings and javelins as their primary weapons (show plep with sling in one hand and javelin in other).
Jaime: Not surprising. No amount of reform is going to remove the poor infantry.
Joffrey: When I become king, no soldier is going to war without a full plate.
Ned: Impossible. The realm would never recover financially.
Arya: What's your opinion on female generals?
Joffrey: All my subject shall be equally beneath me. Why?
Arya: The cities in Essos are rich in land to plunder.
Robert: I like where this is going.
Ned: I do not. Arya!
Joffrey: Yes. I can see it now. Even the screamers will bow. Savage, when I am king I shall allow you to conquer in my name.
It is worth noting that the sword the Romans used at this time was not the famous Gladius of the later army, as that was adopted during the conquest of Hispania centuries later (Show Gladius performing tricks).
Jaime: Practical.
Robert: They even stole the swords of others?
Stannis: They are willing to learn. Dangerous.
Every soldier used the sword he preferred (show hoplites with many different swords).
Robert: As it should be. None of that soulless 'standardization' every warrior uses what's best for him.
Because they were armed as Greek hoplites, it is likely that the traditional Phalanx formation was used, and we did several episodes on this in our previous series. This was a deep formation of over eight ranks, with densely packed and armored spearmen (show Phalanx).
Stannis: Effective.
Ned: Inflexible.
Stannis: If every man is properly armored. Then this would be akin to a moving fortress.
Ned: And in rough terrain? In the forests? In the hills? It would be easy to break them up and deliver a defeat in detail.
Stannis: If they are properly trained then they would either avoid such engagements, or they could perform the same maneuver in smaller scale.
Robert: Enough. Ned, Stannis. This is a tactic like any other. It has its weakness and its strengths.
The compact Phalanx would attempt to charge and break the enemy line by stabbing with the spear in a tight formation (show two Phalanx fighting, and the Roman winning).
Robert: Enough!
Jaime: Robert… The voice of reason.
Tywin: War truly brings the best out of us.
Arya: Don't you mean the worst of us?
Tywin: No
This required extensive training as holding formation was critical for victory.
Robert: If they were highborn then that is to be expected.
Ned: Aye, with privilege comes duty.
Robert: What now Ned?
Ned: The Taxes are-
Robert: Have Baelish look over it.
However, it was only viable for large set piece battles, so it is likely that some smaller tactical unis existed to supplement the Roman phalanx.
Stannis: As I predicted.
Robert: Enough.
Ned: Yes, Your Grave
Arya: I wonder what those other tactics were.
Luwing: We may never know.
Jaime: War is similar to everyone. I am sure we already know to some extent.
Early Rome is primarily associated with heavy infantry, but horsem*n were key to armies even at this time.
Robert: Finally. We get to see their horse.
Cersei: If nothing else, then the horse should be a majestic sight.
Tyrion: Indeed. The wealthiest citizen would buy the best, and most pompous, amour.
Jaime: Let us see these finest soldiers of Rome.
The first King of Rome, Romulus, supposedly created an elite cavalry known as the swift squadron, which would act as his personal guard (Show mounted Romulus and Roman horsem*n in different colors).
Robert: Is this a joke? Where is the plate? Where is the lance?
Ned: Though their equipment seems… lacking. They do seem wise in creating this honor guard.
Jaime: Is this… their Kingsguard. I could probably take half of these in a fight if this is their equipment.
Cersei: How poor are they. What knight goes to war with such paltry arms.
Stannis: They called them elite. I shudder to think of how their regular cavalry must be.
Each of the three tribes of early Rome would supply 100 men to this unit, for a total of 300.
Robert: 300 Kingsguard? Kingslayer, do you still think that you could take half?
Jaime: Won't know until I tried.
Ned: No.
Robert: What?
Ned: We are not sending Jaime Lannister to his death, just so we can see how many horsem*n he can kill.
Tywin: Lord Stark. About that fostering.
Ned: Can we speak of this later?
Tywin: Of course, Lord Hand.
Two centuries later, when the Romans were under pressure from the Sabines, one of their neighbors, this was doubled to 600 by the fifth King Tarquinius Priscus (show description of the Sabines and doubling of the squadron).
Arya: 600? How scared was this King to require such a large bodyguard.
Stannis: It is prudent to ensure the head of state remain living.
Arya: King Robert only needs 7.
Robert: Ha.
Stannis: King Robert is not in constant warfare against neighboring mountain clans.
Robert: Stannis, why do you have to make me sad.
Tywin: The clans in Vale are ever antagonistic. If his Grace wished, he could war against them.
The ranks of the royal cavalry may have been filled exclusively with members of the highest Patrician aristocracy of the emerging city. This was a purely hereditary system, but the evidence for this selective nature is questioned.
Ned: Madness. A hereditary Kingsguard. What insane man thought that that was a good idea.
Cersei: Perhaps not insane. It could have been a calculated move by the Houses.
Tywin: They could effectively puppet the King.
It is interesting to note that because the cavalry may have been patrician, it is likely that it played a key role in the fall of the Roman monarchy and the rise of the Roman Republic (show horseman and Patriarch).
Cersei: I stand corrected.
Ned: It is good that our own Kingsguard cannot sire children.
Tywin: Lord Hand I seem to be in possession of a large amount of disposable grain. Perhaps Jaime can donate it to Winterfell.
Ned: … I will think about it.
Indeed, some historians suggest that the royal cavalry itself carried out the coup. By 400BC however, the size of the cavalry had increased, and it was no longer open to just nobles (show horsem*n being streamlined and Patriarch being crossed out).
Robert: And that is why I only have seven dipsh*ts guarding me.
Ned: Your Grace, please do not speak such of your guards.
Tywin: Ironic. The Kings bloated the number of guards to protect themselves from external foes. Only to create an internal one.
Joffrey: That will never happen to me. When I reign, there won't be only one guard. I will have 2, no, 7 orders of Guards.
Robert: Not now Joffrey.
The prominence of horsem*n in this period is also questionable. In classical Greece, cavalry was sparsely used due to the nature of phalanx warfare, and it is possible that it might not have played a significant role in Roman phalanx warfare, apart from chasing after already defeated enemies.
Jaime: If that is how they equipped their horse then I understand how they would ignore its threat.
Tywin: Fool. Utter Fools.
Cersei: How would they ever manage to conquer the known world.
Stannis: They would learn from their enemies. As they did the Etruscans the Greeks and whoever the 'Hispanians' are.
Ned: If the fool survives winter… is he really a fool?
Robert: Not now Ned. We are busy mocking the Romans.
Stannis: My condolences Lord Stark.
Ned: Thank you Prince Baratheon.
When the Kings of Rome were overthrown and the Res publica was established, the 6,000 strong Roman royal army was divided among the two elected Consuls, in addition to around 1,200 lighter troops each (show Patriarch overcoming King, later shows the army being divided by consuls).
Cersei: Apart from splitting command, they appear not to make any changes.
Tywin: It is foolish to change something that works well.
These troops assembled by their clans and then swore an oath of allegiance to their consuls, similar to the prior oath which was sworn to the kings (show clan hoplite serving the consuls).
Ned: No matter what changes. Somethings will always stay the same.
Robert: More northern wisdom?
Ned: No… Lord Arryn used to say this.
Tywin: A wise man. It is foolish to discard things that works.
Tyrion: You would know about this father?
Tywin: I have not discarded you yet.
As the fifth century BC developed, a new magistrate position was created; The Military Tribune. This office had Consular authority over the Roman army, and it was possibly created due to an increased need for armies in this period, together with the leadership of only two Consuls (show Military Tribune).
Cersei: Have these fools learned nothing?
Ned: Your Grace, could you elaborate?
Tywin: I am quite curious daughter. Speak.
Cersei: The kings lost power because they let an armed group of rival houses effectively take them hostage whenever convenient. So, these new fools let someone else have what is essentially royal authority over the armed forces. I would be surprised if none of these 'Tribunes' tried to launch a coup.
Robert: Cersei… are you competent?
Tywin: She is a Lannister.
At the climax of this period, the Gallic invasion of 390BC occurred. The inexperienced and unprepared Romans, armed as hoplites, were swept away by the army of Brennus at the Battle of the Allia (show Romans fighting and Brennus).
Ned: Your Grace-
Robert: WHAT?
Ned: The wall is severely underfunded, undermanned, and undersupplied.
Robert: FINE! I'll look into it. AFTER we have watched this.
Stannis: I wonder what would lead to their armies being inexperienced and unprepared. Perhaps they suffered some catastrophic defeat earlier.
Tyrion: Perhaps. Or they sent their better soldiers of to another war.
Tywin: No matter what, the fools left themselves open to a wildling invasion.
The Romans utilized the Greek way of war for a long time, but times were beginning to change. In the late 300s BC, the Romans would enter another series of wars with their neighbors, and this would lead to their army developing intro more familiar form.
Robert: Finally! I was beginning to tire of their constant incompetence.
Stannis: Your Grace they managed to learn-
Robert: At sword point Stannis. They learned at sword point because their conqueror probably thought it was too easy and wanted to stop their retardation.
Cersei: I wonder what this 'more familiar' form was.
Stannis: Dangerous.
We will continue our series on the Roman armies, and the plan is to cover everything till 1453.
Robert: Do we have to.
Ned: We started this your grace. It is only right that we finish it.
Robert: Fine, but I need to do those f*cking chores you sent me on.
Ned: You are actually going to do them?
Robert: They piss me off less than these Romans.
Tywin: Cersei, you must learn from Lord Stark. By any means.
Cersei: Yes Father…
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AN: How was the video only 10m long?
