The Genius Supply System of Romes Army Logistics
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Date: 2023-08-10
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Comments and reviews: 20
Wilhelm
Really? Genius? Really? Well, if you think so, then you should consider the supply system and the infrastructure maintenance of the Egyptians who built the pyramids.
Mainstream archeologists tell that it took just 20 year to build the big one. Calculations tells us that for building this pyramid in 20 years every 2 minutes one block was produced far away transproted to Giza and the nput in its place. Just imagine how many people were there over a time span of 20 years, how the organization was to get it done, they had to eat and to drink and sleep and to keep themselves clean and their clothes, they had to manufacture their tools and repair them, they had to use animals, they had to prepare their meals and do everything they needed for life and work.
Even if it took 200 years, it must have been like the organization of a world only smaller.
It must have been organized far better than the biggest ant hive or termite hive. Ants and termites do it just for survival. The Egyptians had reasons beyond survival.
So, if the supply system of Rome's army was genius, what then was the Egyptian pyramid construction system? Can anyone even imagine?
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Really? Genius? Really? Well, if you think so, then you should consider the supply system and the infrastructure maintenance of the Egyptians who built the pyramids.
Mainstream archeologists tell that it took just 20 year to build the big one. Calculations tells us that for building this pyramid in 20 years every 2 minutes one block was produced far away transproted to Giza and the nput in its place. Just imagine how many people were there over a time span of 20 years, how the organization was to get it done, they had to eat and to drink and sleep and to keep themselves clean and their clothes, they had to manufacture their tools and repair them, they had to use animals, they had to prepare their meals and do everything they needed for life and work.
Even if it took 200 years, it must have been like the organization of a world only smaller.
It must have been organized far better than the biggest ant hive or termite hive. Ants and termites do it just for survival. The Egyptians had reasons beyond survival.
So, if the supply system of Rome's army was genius, what then was the Egyptian pyramid construction system? Can anyone even imagine?
reply
Patrick
I hiked the 2200 mile Appalachian Trail in 2021. When I was on trail I thought back to my History degree and the distances that ancient armies are supposed to have travelled. I would say that I am in very very good shape and am an expert hiker with light weight gear and modern shoes. In this video it says that the Roman army travelled at 150 miles per week. I do not believe this is possible for an army to do this for more than one week. That means they are moving about 21 miles per day. At a fast pace on a trail I can do about 3 miles per hour. So that's 7 hours a day of walking to do 21 miles per day. It took weeks to build up to 20 mile days and even by the end of the trail I wasn't doing consecutive 20+ mile days for more than about 3 days. Try to do 21 miles per day for three days in a row and the fourth day you are going to be hurting bad. That basically means waking up at dawn and walking at a fast pace all day, if you stop for meals. I mean that's a very fast pace. I don't buy it. Most hikers, very dedicated hikers, cannot maintain that pace. Now when you look at armies not everyone is fit.
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I hiked the 2200 mile Appalachian Trail in 2021. When I was on trail I thought back to my History degree and the distances that ancient armies are supposed to have travelled. I would say that I am in very very good shape and am an expert hiker with light weight gear and modern shoes. In this video it says that the Roman army travelled at 150 miles per week. I do not believe this is possible for an army to do this for more than one week. That means they are moving about 21 miles per day. At a fast pace on a trail I can do about 3 miles per hour. So that's 7 hours a day of walking to do 21 miles per day. It took weeks to build up to 20 mile days and even by the end of the trail I wasn't doing consecutive 20+ mile days for more than about 3 days. Try to do 21 miles per day for three days in a row and the fourth day you are going to be hurting bad. That basically means waking up at dawn and walking at a fast pace all day, if you stop for meals. I mean that's a very fast pace. I don't buy it. Most hikers, very dedicated hikers, cannot maintain that pace. Now when you look at armies not everyone is fit.
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Stig
This is a very precise and visually clear presentation. It further brilliantly illustrates how civilians suffer from war - and why war is the single most devastating occurrence in human life. although very popular with the same civilian populations still today, incredibly enough.
Every imperial ruler throughout history has launched edicts forcing men to fight, populations to be robbed of their lands and goods, has caused looting, rape, enslavement, genocide, burning of property, destruction of villages, towns and cities, has caused famine and despair, has caused the decimation of families. There should be much more attention given to the history of civilians in military history. The soldiers are but a fraction of war.
And the fact that any imperial ruler has caused such misery, exploitation, sufferings and deaths to the people, should be a very good reason to abolish any remaining kingdom, Britain.
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This is a very precise and visually clear presentation. It further brilliantly illustrates how civilians suffer from war - and why war is the single most devastating occurrence in human life. although very popular with the same civilian populations still today, incredibly enough.
Every imperial ruler throughout history has launched edicts forcing men to fight, populations to be robbed of their lands and goods, has caused looting, rape, enslavement, genocide, burning of property, destruction of villages, towns and cities, has caused famine and despair, has caused the decimation of families. There should be much more attention given to the history of civilians in military history. The soldiers are but a fraction of war.
And the fact that any imperial ruler has caused such misery, exploitation, sufferings and deaths to the people, should be a very good reason to abolish any remaining kingdom, Britain.
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Robert
The Romans were geniuses at war, and just one battle alone shows it, the Battle of Alesia in September 52 BC. Where Julius Caesar's armies of 60, 000 men fought Vercingetorix and the Gauls (French, that eventually comprised a force of 250, 000 that vastly outnumbered them. The remarkable thing was the Romans were not only totally outnumbered, but while they surrounded Alesia, the Romans were themselves surrounded on all sides by Gallic tribesmen. Caesar's centurions achieved the incredible feat of building not one but TWO walls around Alesia, the first wall measuring 17 km, to cut off the city and the second one of 21 km, to cut off any reinforcements to Alesia and defend against the Gauls who surrounded them. Alesia was land-locked so no hope of resupply by sea, yet somehow Caesar kept lines of communication open, until the Gauls and Vercingetorix finally surrendered -
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The Romans were geniuses at war, and just one battle alone shows it, the Battle of Alesia in September 52 BC. Where Julius Caesar's armies of 60, 000 men fought Vercingetorix and the Gauls (French, that eventually comprised a force of 250, 000 that vastly outnumbered them. The remarkable thing was the Romans were not only totally outnumbered, but while they surrounded Alesia, the Romans were themselves surrounded on all sides by Gallic tribesmen. Caesar's centurions achieved the incredible feat of building not one but TWO walls around Alesia, the first wall measuring 17 km, to cut off the city and the second one of 21 km, to cut off any reinforcements to Alesia and defend against the Gauls who surrounded them. Alesia was land-locked so no hope of resupply by sea, yet somehow Caesar kept lines of communication open, until the Gauls and Vercingetorix finally surrendered -
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EthanZ
Ah the Epic history tv Napoleon intro song. Great choice.
The distance covered by Alexander the great and Napolean, (as only two examples of pre-industrial conquerors, is so much farther than seems possible.
I dont even understand.
From Greece/Macedonia to India? Thats not just >3, 000 miles, its over 7-10 mountain ranges, some topping 20, 000 feet. Look at the topography. Its unbelievably mountainous, and is that way for almost the entire way. Its essentially the Rocky Mountains the whole 3, 000 miles. If its true that his army covered that distance, On horseback and on foot, its essentially unbelievable in any conceivable way.
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Ah the Epic history tv Napoleon intro song. Great choice.
The distance covered by Alexander the great and Napolean, (as only two examples of pre-industrial conquerors, is so much farther than seems possible.
I dont even understand.
From Greece/Macedonia to India? Thats not just >3, 000 miles, its over 7-10 mountain ranges, some topping 20, 000 feet. Look at the topography. Its unbelievably mountainous, and is that way for almost the entire way. Its essentially the Rocky Mountains the whole 3, 000 miles. If its true that his army covered that distance, On horseback and on foot, its essentially unbelievable in any conceivable way.
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Christopher
The Roman roads were NOT built solely for the movement of armies. Just like the Interstate highway system of the US built in the 60s and 70s which tripled the GDP of the US, the Roman road system was a huge economic benefit. Sure, it made army movements faster but for every legion that ever passed along a given stretch of road, there were a MILLION wagons laden with commerce that traveled to and fro among Romans towns and cities. They were in use all day and all night every single day of the year, and enabled commerce to flow in winter and in rain, 356 days a year.
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The Roman roads were NOT built solely for the movement of armies. Just like the Interstate highway system of the US built in the 60s and 70s which tripled the GDP of the US, the Roman road system was a huge economic benefit. Sure, it made army movements faster but for every legion that ever passed along a given stretch of road, there were a MILLION wagons laden with commerce that traveled to and fro among Romans towns and cities. They were in use all day and all night every single day of the year, and enabled commerce to flow in winter and in rain, 356 days a year.
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Tila
11: 18 I do not know about back in the day, but I am sure even the soldiers back then knew ass kissing from higher ups was just that, fake compliments. Unless money was involved, or a sense of pride to country and duty, bad soldiers are still going to be bad, just not tainting the others.
However if they were truly bad, as in not loyal, I assume back then they would simply execute them. Sometimes no mater what, you simply can not get it into the heads of stubborn people to do something and during a war, you do not have time for pleasantries.
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11: 18 I do not know about back in the day, but I am sure even the soldiers back then knew ass kissing from higher ups was just that, fake compliments. Unless money was involved, or a sense of pride to country and duty, bad soldiers are still going to be bad, just not tainting the others.
However if they were truly bad, as in not loyal, I assume back then they would simply execute them. Sometimes no mater what, you simply can not get it into the heads of stubborn people to do something and during a war, you do not have time for pleasantries.
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ciro
How interesting the movement of the Roman Legions was Akin to a parasitic cancer growth let that sink in because we have been admonished to not be a cancer upon the Earth and what do they do military campaigns so who are the real people destroying the planet the militarists and their Logistics support sure there's a lot of money being made in a lot of bounty and loot being secured but is that any way to run a planet? If you really want to get down to the nitty gritty leave carbon alone and get with the warmongers
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How interesting the movement of the Roman Legions was Akin to a parasitic cancer growth let that sink in because we have been admonished to not be a cancer upon the Earth and what do they do military campaigns so who are the real people destroying the planet the militarists and their Logistics support sure there's a lot of money being made in a lot of bounty and loot being secured but is that any way to run a planet? If you really want to get down to the nitty gritty leave carbon alone and get with the warmongers
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Stig
12: 18
Not seldom the armies were stuck for a long to a very long time at the same place, not least when they besieged forts and cities. They were not constantly on the move.
They could also be forced to face an enemy army for longer than preferred before given battle. In these occasions it would have been a both necessary task and important occupation of the troops. I believe to recall having read several places in Livy of soldiers occupied with foraging and harvesting (in Samnium.
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12: 18
Not seldom the armies were stuck for a long to a very long time at the same place, not least when they besieged forts and cities. They were not constantly on the move.
They could also be forced to face an enemy army for longer than preferred before given battle. In these occasions it would have been a both necessary task and important occupation of the troops. I believe to recall having read several places in Livy of soldiers occupied with foraging and harvesting (in Samnium.
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Stephen
Playing Conflict of Nations, military logistics(roads, and strategically placed airports have saved me a few times and helps me tremendously.
Ive been able to fight wars against multiple countries and on 3 fronts sometimes even because of them.
Ive fought a coalition of like 5 nations fighting 3 of them by myself and because of the logistics I had in place I was able to push 2 of them out and forced the 3rd into a surrender and ultimately make a deal with them to split lands.
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Playing Conflict of Nations, military logistics(roads, and strategically placed airports have saved me a few times and helps me tremendously.
Ive been able to fight wars against multiple countries and on 3 fronts sometimes even because of them.
Ive fought a coalition of like 5 nations fighting 3 of them by myself and because of the logistics I had in place I was able to push 2 of them out and forced the 3rd into a surrender and ultimately make a deal with them to split lands.
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Fernando
Carl Sagan said that if the Roman Empire hadn't fallen. we'd have been landing on the moon by the year 1000. Religion had something to do with their fall, Romans had a society where you had to prove everything in life while crhistianism believes you have another life and you must dedicate your life to praise for God and because of that we had to wait to Renaissanse in order to science trumped religion
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Carl Sagan said that if the Roman Empire hadn't fallen. we'd have been landing on the moon by the year 1000. Religion had something to do with their fall, Romans had a society where you had to prove everything in life while crhistianism believes you have another life and you must dedicate your life to praise for God and because of that we had to wait to Renaissanse in order to science trumped religion
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Ray
Logistics is the unsung hero of war. During desert storm the pipeline road stayed busy 24/7. When the war was over the 1st corp support for XVIII airborne corp for a lot of decorations. The field grades and the senior non coms. The workers? Not even a pat on the back. They were the ones that kept the supplies moving. After the war I put in for retirement. There will always be war.
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Logistics is the unsung hero of war. During desert storm the pipeline road stayed busy 24/7. When the war was over the 1st corp support for XVIII airborne corp for a lot of decorations. The field grades and the senior non coms. The workers? Not even a pat on the back. They were the ones that kept the supplies moving. After the war I put in for retirement. There will always be war.
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Razar
It's mind-blowing to think of all the things the Roman Legions were capable of accomplishing! Building roads, building bridges, building forts, building walls, building fleets, building mountains (Masada.
If only other nations and civilisations cared as much about building, as they did about conquest and plunder, the world might be a much better place today.
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It's mind-blowing to think of all the things the Roman Legions were capable of accomplishing! Building roads, building bridges, building forts, building walls, building fleets, building mountains (Masada.
If only other nations and civilisations cared as much about building, as they did about conquest and plunder, the world might be a much better place today.
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driveman
What about things like special dietary requirements (vegan/vegetarian, personal/mental health days off, providing a harassment free battle zone that ensures diversity, equity and inclusion? And most importantly, were riders dispatched to the next city to communicate the preferred pronouns of each soldier?
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What about things like special dietary requirements (vegan/vegetarian, personal/mental health days off, providing a harassment free battle zone that ensures diversity, equity and inclusion? And most importantly, were riders dispatched to the next city to communicate the preferred pronouns of each soldier?
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Carrick
Caesar used his grain merchants in 2 novel ways (De bello Gallico. They'd buy up regional stocks (denying surplus to the enemy) and pass with relative impunity as valued 'trading partners' discussing who had what 'stock' and deducing the dependant population (proportionate to the number of fighting men.
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Caesar used his grain merchants in 2 novel ways (De bello Gallico. They'd buy up regional stocks (denying surplus to the enemy) and pass with relative impunity as valued 'trading partners' discussing who had what 'stock' and deducing the dependant population (proportionate to the number of fighting men.
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Bill
2000 years later a European war was launched, and the invaders drove south from the borders of Belarus. After running out of fuel the tank drivers had to abandon their vehicles and walk back to Belarus. And they say people are getting smarter.
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2000 years later a European war was launched, and the invaders drove south from the borders of Belarus. After running out of fuel the tank drivers had to abandon their vehicles and walk back to Belarus. And they say people are getting smarter.
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Thomas
Given that the Romans had to do all their logistical planning in Roman Numerals, it should come as no surprise that they made a real point of starting to prepare the logistics well in advance of actually starting moving troops around.
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Given that the Romans had to do all their logistical planning in Roman Numerals, it should come as no surprise that they made a real point of starting to prepare the logistics well in advance of actually starting moving troops around.
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Cris
Isnt it always seem to be war that drives advancements and raises standards of living in the long run? New technologies are found or discovered in times of need, and then dispersed and refined throughout society in peacetime.
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Isnt it always seem to be war that drives advancements and raises standards of living in the long run? New technologies are found or discovered in times of need, and then dispersed and refined throughout society in peacetime.
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Buck
0: 15 Sooo. A follower of Vegetius, or rather a Vegetarian is one who makes it their purpose to destroy the provisions of their enemy for the purpose of weakening them as a tool of war. That makes too much sense.
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0: 15 Sooo. A follower of Vegetius, or rather a Vegetarian is one who makes it their purpose to destroy the provisions of their enemy for the purpose of weakening them as a tool of war. That makes too much sense.
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theBaron0530
6: 22 If I may offer a minor correction, it's besiege, not siege. Siege is the noun, besiege is the verb, taking a direct object. The Romans besieged the city. We also say, to lay siege to a town or city.
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6: 22 If I may offer a minor correction, it's besiege, not siege. Siege is the noun, besiege is the verb, taking a direct object. The Romans besieged the city. We also say, to lay siege to a town or city.
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