Crazy Roman Military Tactics That Actually Worked

The reason why the Romans were so successful was simple: Discipline, Conditioning, and tactics. Decimation was rarely needed.

Decimation was rarely used. Decimation was a punishment that the Romans inflicted on soldiers who had collectively abandoned their posts, acted like cowards in battle, or fomented some kind of rebellion in the ranks. This video makes it sound like a defeat in battle meant decimation.

Decimation is a disciplinary procedure not a battle tactic. Categorization is important.

You don't mention that Corvus really only worked once. It was a secret weapon that lost its potency once no longer a secret. It would not have been too hard to avoid if you realize what the roman were up to, leaving them with a less maneuverable vessel overloaded with infantry. Still, for that one battle, it was a brillant tactic and key to winning the first Punic war as you said.

At sea, the Roman solution was train troops on land using mockups and to make ships using previously manufactured parts that were numbereD or marked in a way that could be easily constructed. A flatpack navy if you will. Rome's real secret was engineering and legions full of artisans.

Decimation was incredibly rare, I am very surprised you even mentioned it.

It's quite mind-blowing that the tribes of Italian Peninsula are highly adaptive in terms of survivability. The Romans in turn also possess that. They also learn from their defeats, often copying to a varying degree the tactics and strategies of their enemies. It sounds like a stretch but I think Romans stopped being underdogs when they defeated the Samnites and in turn complete their conquest of the peninsula. It's like Cao Cao becoming a superpower after defeating Yuan Shao at Guandu. The legionary and maniple system in their military is in fact "inspired" by the Samnites. The practice of employing mercenaries and subsequently auxilary troops comes from the defeat of the Successor Kingdoms and Greek powers. Especially, Pyrrhus and Hannibal in which the Romans learn to better employ such tactics and logistical capabilities.

Strength and Honor!

Lol, so we don't agree on what tactic is, I guess. Their divide and conquer approach to diplomacy counts not as a tactic. A diplomatic strategy maybe? But absolutely an understated key to the longevity of the empire that you are right to point out.

I can't believe they didn't mention the fire pigs.

"Insane tactics"? You've never heard the axiom "If it works, it ain't stupid."

Great video as always! Do you know how the Roman Empire was cut in half? -With a pair of ceasars (scissors).

Great vid

Nicely done - especially the 'divide and conquer' explanation.

Good video, thanks.

Well presented and edited with nice use of comic humor. Very professional and informative, appreciated.

Here’s a tactic for ye, “During a battle at sea in 264 BCE, a Carthaginian ship was captured by Roman forces. The Romans examined the ship carefully and used it as a model for their own new vessels. By stealing the Carthaginian ship the Romans were able to improve their own technology and increase their naval power.” I’ve seen a video about this but alas, I couldn’t find it.

One of the best Roman combat scenes I've seen is the opening act of the TV series Rome (2005-2007). Which showed the disciplined way the Roman infantry fought and how superior they were to their opponents. When the centurion blew his whistle.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vJTNGH4Ib0&ab_channel=Private Highly recommend this series to anyone fascinated by Rome..

Well I didn’t know about decimation until now thx

Why i can't find the Prince by niccolo machiavelli video on your channel?