Like elsewhere in the territories controlled by the Roman Empire, the soldiers in Britannia were sorted into legions and subordinate auxiliary units. The former were composed of roughly 5,500 Roman citizens, almost all of whom were infantry and had joined for a fixed 25-year term of service.
The legionaries were then supplemented by numerous units of auxiliaries, which were made up of non-citizens drawn from the many non-roman peoples around the empire. However, at the end of their terms of service the lower-paid auxiliaries were entitled to Roman citizenship. By the middle of the 2nd century CE, there were around 40,000 auxiliaries in Britain alone, garrisoned all over the province, and auxiliary horsemen comprised a large proportion of the cavalry.
Three legions provided the bulk of the Roman legionary presence in Britain during the 1st and 2nd centuries CE: II Augusta, VI Victrix and XX Valeria Victrix. The legions had their main bases at Isca (II Augusta; Caerleon, Wales), Deva (XX Valeria Victrix; Chester, England) and Eboracum (VI Victrix; York, England), with each fortress strategically placed to enable the Romans to control the surrounding territory.
Britannia was knit together by sturdy, Roman-built roads that linked the army’s many bases and made movement across the province faster and easier. The presence of the legions helped to speed the process of Romanisation in Britain, as they were often equipped with cutting-edge facilities. For example, legionary fortresses contained heated baths, which were popular among Roman soldiers and civilians alike.
Protecting the border
This story is from the Issue 106, 2022 edition of History of War.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 106, 2022 edition of History of War.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE OTHER OPERATION OVERLORD D-DAY'S GHOST ARMY
Historian Taylor Downing discusses the cunning use of intrigue and deception during Operation Fortitude
D-DAY LANDING CRAFT
Over 4,000 Allied landing craft took part in the Normandy Landings with a huge range of designs created for specific roles and capabilities
BEHIND ENEMY LINES
Spearheading the invasion of occupied France in 1944 were a small number of Special Forces soldiers dropped deep into enemy territory. Among them was a young Londoner, fresh from training here he reveals how he survived guerrilla warfare in France and beyond as part of the fledgling Special Air Service
JIMMIE MONTEITH
In the crucible of battle at Omaha Beach on D-Day, this officer of the famed 1st Infantry Division earned his nation’s highest honour at the cost of his life
KLEINKAMPFVERBÄNDE - GERMANY'S COUNTER-ATTACKS
As Allied forces crossed the Channel and stormed into Normandy, Hitler's navy fought back using a deadly new breed of maritime weaponry
STORMING GOLD BEACH
War veteran Ron Peet helped assault Gold Beach on D-Day Here he shares his experiences
UNDERGROUND WREN
Deep in the bowels of Fort Southwick, radio operator Marie Scott was one of the first to hear reports as Operation Overlord got underway, passing critical communications between the men on the beaches and high command
MINESWEEPER OFF NORMANDY
After helping clear the path to France, Royal Navy veteran Claude Sealey and his crewmates experienced a deadly encounter with their own countrymen
THE RECCE RIDER OF RANVILLE
After fencing behind enemy lines in Normandy, William Bill’ Gladden conducted us reconnaissance on his motorcycle
SWORD BEACH
The easternmost sector of the 6 June Normandy Landings was a mostly British affair, and Saw some of the biggest territorial gains of the first day of the Allied invasion