The Roman Velites
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- Опубликовано: 8 янв 2025
- NEW INTRO! The Roman Velites were the first line of units deployed by the Roman Republic. Discover how the Velites fought, what equipment they used, and what their role was.
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The Roman Velites were a form of light infantry during the mid Roman republic, and often played a key role in the early Roman War Machine.
Often the youngest and poorest soldiers in the legion. A Velite could barely afford much armour. What armour the Velites did wear usually consisted of just a small protective cap this was covered with a piece of hide usually from a wolf. This also helped distinguish the Velites from other soldiers on the battlefield.
The velites were primarily armed with light javelins, each with a 90 cm wooden shaft with a ten inch metal point. The tips of which were designed to bend on impact. This was to prevent the javelin being thrown back. They also carried small darts, as well as carrying a short 74 centimetre long sword called a gladius as a secondary weapon.
Often, as a result of a lack of funds, a Velites only defence would be his short round shield, called a Parma. The Parma was about 36 inches across (or less) and had iron in its frame, making it a very effective piece of armor. Parma had a handle and a shield boss, called an umbo.
In battle, the velites would form up at the front of the legion, and would normally engage in skirmishing with the enemy. This was to cover the advance of the heavy infantry behind them. If this heavy infantry failed to break the enemy, the Velites would fall back and let the next class of heavy infantry take over. Occasionally, Velites would take the wounded away from the battlefield however, this was uncommon as the roman legion had a specific unit for that role.
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Sources:
About History. (2018). The Marian Army Reforms , What did Gaius Marius do to change Rome ?. [online] Available at: about-history.... [Accessed 2 Jun. 2018].
Bbc.co.uk. (2018). BBC - Primary History - Romans - The Roman army. [online] Available at: www.bbc.co.uk/s... [Accessed 2 Jun. 2018].
Crabben, J. (2018). The Manipular formation used by Republican Roman Armies (circa 218 -168 BCE). [online] Ancient History Encyclopedia. Available at: www.ancient.eu... [Accessed 2 Jun. 2018].
Lloyd, J. (2018). Roman Army. [online] Ancient History Encyclopedia. Available at: www.ancient.eu... [Accessed 2 Jun. 2018].
Ahh Velites - history’s early cannon fodder
Lol indeed :D
I heard also velites acted in support roles once their skirmishing was done and the main army would engage the enemy. Velites would help carry the wounded off the field and such.
Yes, in some cases they even filled in the gaps that opened up in their armies formation :)
Yep, they were the youngest so probably did a lot of the crappy job in camp - guard duty, foraging etc.
The simplicity is incredibly effective - both in description and in art style. Everyone has a limit to how much info can be processed in a particular span of time. This is a good level.
"Each with a 90 centimeter wooden shaft and a 10 inch metal point"
AAAAAAAAAAAAAA
wait I dont see whats wrong with this...oh....OH OH GOD
The wold skin head wear looked bad ass though.
This seems to be some weird 3 way youtube art styles mix, and I love it.
Haha, thanks! :D
The Roman Wolf Soldiers
Keep uploading, my friend. RUclips really loves history channels right now and soon, you'll be big
This aged like milk (maybe it will age like wine in the future mayhaps)
You just earned a new subscriber
Love me some velites!
So like the peltasts... but more conan-esque?
This should have more views!
any more information on the darts they used? perhaps a precursor to the plumbata?
May you please do the battle of Magnisea 190 BC , Thanks
U deserve more subs , please reply ancient history guy
🎉🎉🎉great work
Thanks! :)
I heard the valites would wear wolf skin to show their bravery to run towards the enemy to throw javilins
Good video, the new intro have some Baz Battle feel to it. :)
Thanks Quil! :D
well i will correct you in the sense that they didnt use pila
the velites likely just used ordinary run of the mill javelins like the rest of human civilisation
only the heavies used pila from what i gather
@Jonathan Williams Velites used the verutum for throwing.
The Romans used more than 2 types of spears,even in the time when the Velites were around and no,the hasta wasn't for throwing,it was a thrusting spear...you could probably throw it if things got desperate enough,but it wasn't suited for such an attack.
Why don't you have Patreon
You forgot to mention when they were disbanded, perhaps by some unknown person named Marius or something
in the battle of Trebia velites cuold defeat Hannibal's elephants
What about the Germanic people, or the Celts of Dacia
I will get to Dacia eventually! The Dacian Wars are fascinating :D
Lmao, "each with a 90 cm wooden shaft with a 10 inch metal point"
At least it's fair, now people on both sides of the Atlantic won't understand 🤣
I bet this comment will not get a heart