21.11.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXIX [2] comprehension

HOW THE ROMANS MARCHED AND CAMPED

Exercitus quī in hostium fīnibus bellum gerit multīs perīculīs circumdatus est. Quae perīcula ut vītāret, Rōmāni summam cūram adhībēre solēbant. Adpropinquantēs cōpiīs hostium agmen ita dispōnēbant ut imperātor ipse cum plūribus legiōnibus expedītīs prīmum agmen dūceret. Post eās cōpiās impedīmenta tōtīus exercitūs conlocābant. Tum legiōnēs quae proximē cōnscrīptae erant tōtum agmen claudēbant. Equitēs quoque in omnīs partīs dīmittēbantur quī loca explōrārent; et centuriōnēs praemittēbantur ut locum castrīs idōneum dēligerent. Locus habēbatur idōneus castrīs quī facile dēfendī posset et prope aquam esset. Quā dē causā castra in colle ab utrāque parte arduō, ā fronte lēniter dēclīvī saepe pōnēbantur; vel locus palūdibus cīnctus vel in flūminis rīpīs situs dēligēbātur. Ad locum postquam exercitus pervēnit, aliī mīlitum in armīs erant, aliī castra mūnīre incipiēbant. Nam quō tūtiōrēs ab hostibus mīlitēs essent, nēve incautī et imparātī opprimerentur, castra fossā lātā et vāllō altō mūniēbant. In castrīs portae quattuor erant ut ēruptiō mīlitum omnīs in partīs fierī posset. In angulīs castrōrum erant turrēs dē quibus tēla in hostīs coniciēbantur. Tālibus in castrīs quālia dēscrīpsimus Pūblius ā Caesare exceptus est.

• aliī … aliī …: some … others …
• expeditus, -a, -um: unhindered; unencumbered; here it refers to soldiers who are not carrying, for example, baggage or heavy equipment

[1] “Exercitus … solēbant.”

[i] Where does the Roman army face many dangers? (1)

[ii] How did they respond to these dangers? (1)

[2] “Adpropinquantēs … claudēbant.”

How was the column organised? (6)

[3] “Equitēs … dēligerent.”

What was the function of [i] the cavalry, and [ii] the centurions? (4)

[4] “Locus … dēligēbātur.”

[i] What were the two main criteria for choosing a location suitable for a camp? (2)

[ii] Describe the physical features around a camp situated on a hill. (2)

[iii] Describe the two alternative locations for a camp. (2)

[5] “Ad locum … coniciēbantur."

[i] What were the two functions of the soldiers when they reached the camp? (2)

[ii] How did they ensure that they would not be overwhelmed by the enemy? (2)

[iii] What was the function of the four gates? (2)

[iv] Where were the towers and what was their function? (2)

____________________

[1]

[i] enemy territory

[ii] with the greatest care

[2]

Commander led the first line (1) with lightly equipped legions (1)

Baggage and equipment were placed (1) after / behind these troops (1)

Recently enrolled legions (1) closed / brought up the rear of the column (1)

[3]

[i] sent out in all directions (1) to reconnoitre / explore the terrain (1)

[ii] sent ahead (1) to choose a suitable site for the camp (1)

[4]

[i] easy to defend (1); near water (1)

[ii] steep on both sides (1); gentle slope at the front (1)

[iii] surrounded by marshes (1); on the banks of a river (1)

[5]

[i] some were armed (1); others began fortifying the camp (1)

[ii] the camp was fortified with a wide ditch (1), and a high rampart (1)

[iii] to allow sorties (1) in all directions (1)

[iv] at the corners of the camp (1); throwing missiles / javelins (1)