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JJDESIGNS NEWS UPDATE 23rd FEBRUARY 2026
THE ANCIENTS
ARMIES AND ENEMIES OF ANCIENT ROME
THE ROMAN ARMY OF THE MID REPUBLIC 275 – 140BC
The Roman army of the mid-Republic (also known as the manipular Roman army or the "Polybian army"), refers to the armed forces deployed by the mid-Roman Republic, from the end of the Samnite Wars (290 BC) to the end of the Social War (88 BC). The first phase of this army, in its manipular structure (290–ca. 130 BC), is described in detail in the Histories of the ancient Greek historian Polybius, writing before 146 BC.
The central feature of the mid-Republican army was the manipular organisation of its battle-line. Instead of a single, large mass (the phalanx) as in the Greek and Early Roman army, the Romans now drew up in three lines (triplex acies) consisting of small units (maniples) of 120 men, arrayed in chessboard fashion, giving much greater tactical strength and flexibility.
The velites would gather at the front, and cover the advance of the hastati. If the hastati failed to break the enemy, they would fall back on the Principes. If the principes could not break them then they would retire behind the Triarii.
This order of battle was almost always followed. It was Scipio Africanus at the Battle of The Great Plains, and the Battle of Zama, who modified this tactic.
NEW MID REPUBLICAN ROMAN PRINCIPES
For set-piece battles, the heavy infantry were usually drawn up in three lines.
However, the vast majority of the heavy infantry were stationed in the front two lines, the HASTATI and PRINCIPES. Contained in these two lines were the younger recruits who were expected to do all the fighting. The rear line (TRIARII), was a reserve consisting of older men who formed a line of last resort to provide cover for the front lines if they were put to flight (and also to prevent unauthorised retreat by the front ranks).
The Principes (singular princeps) were originally men in the prime of their lives, who were also fairly wealthy, and could therefore afford decent equipment. These were the heavier infantry of the legion, and their usual position was the second battle line.
By the time of the Punic wars infantry were sorted into classes according to age and experience rather than wealth. The Principes then became the older veterans but their equipment and role remained the same.
NEW MID REPUBLICAN ROMAN HASTATI
Hastati (singular: Hastatus) were a class of infantry employed in the armies of the early and Mid Roman Republic.
They were originally some of the poorest men in the legion, and could afford only modest equipment. Later, the hastati contained the younger men rather than just the poorer, (though most men of their age were relatively poor.) Their usual position was the first battle line.
The hastati were formed into 10 maniples of 120 men each, therefore 1,200 men per legion.
Battles were conducted in a similar fashion; the velites would gather at the front and fling javelins to cover the advance of the hastati. If the hastati failed to break the enemy, they would fall back on the principes.
If the principes could not break the enemy, they would retire behind the triarii, who would then engage.
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW MID REPUBLICAN ROMANS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM APRIL 2026
Best wishes,
john jenkins
THE ANCIENTS
ARMIES AND ENEMIES OF ANCIENT ROME
THE ROMAN ARMY OF THE MID REPUBLIC 275 – 140BC
The Roman army of the mid-Republic (also known as the manipular Roman army or the "Polybian army"), refers to the armed forces deployed by the mid-Roman Republic, from the end of the Samnite Wars (290 BC) to the end of the Social War (88 BC). The first phase of this army, in its manipular structure (290–ca. 130 BC), is described in detail in the Histories of the ancient Greek historian Polybius, writing before 146 BC.
The central feature of the mid-Republican army was the manipular organisation of its battle-line. Instead of a single, large mass (the phalanx) as in the Greek and Early Roman army, the Romans now drew up in three lines (triplex acies) consisting of small units (maniples) of 120 men, arrayed in chessboard fashion, giving much greater tactical strength and flexibility.
The velites would gather at the front, and cover the advance of the hastati. If the hastati failed to break the enemy, they would fall back on the Principes. If the principes could not break them then they would retire behind the Triarii.
This order of battle was almost always followed. It was Scipio Africanus at the Battle of The Great Plains, and the Battle of Zama, who modified this tactic.
NEW MID REPUBLICAN ROMAN PRINCIPES
For set-piece battles, the heavy infantry were usually drawn up in three lines.
However, the vast majority of the heavy infantry were stationed in the front two lines, the HASTATI and PRINCIPES. Contained in these two lines were the younger recruits who were expected to do all the fighting. The rear line (TRIARII), was a reserve consisting of older men who formed a line of last resort to provide cover for the front lines if they were put to flight (and also to prevent unauthorised retreat by the front ranks).
The Principes (singular princeps) were originally men in the prime of their lives, who were also fairly wealthy, and could therefore afford decent equipment. These were the heavier infantry of the legion, and their usual position was the second battle line.
By the time of the Punic wars infantry were sorted into classes according to age and experience rather than wealth. The Principes then became the older veterans but their equipment and role remained the same.
NEW MID REPUBLICAN ROMAN HASTATI
Hastati (singular: Hastatus) were a class of infantry employed in the armies of the early and Mid Roman Republic.
They were originally some of the poorest men in the legion, and could afford only modest equipment. Later, the hastati contained the younger men rather than just the poorer, (though most men of their age were relatively poor.) Their usual position was the first battle line.
The hastati were formed into 10 maniples of 120 men each, therefore 1,200 men per legion.
Battles were conducted in a similar fashion; the velites would gather at the front and fling javelins to cover the advance of the hastati. If the hastati failed to break the enemy, they would fall back on the principes.
If the principes could not break the enemy, they would retire behind the triarii, who would then engage.
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW MID REPUBLICAN ROMANS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM APRIL 2026
Best wishes,
john jenkins
