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As the revolt spread through Latium, Lars Porsena, Etruscan King of Clusium, marched on Rome at the head of a large army of Etruscans and allies. Although they knew of the threat, the Romans were caught unaware; and Rome fell to the Etruscans. As Porsena's army continued through the Latin territory, he was finally caught between the armies of Latium and the Greeks of Cumae. The two forces crushed the Etruscan army, which was forced to retreat. #2 - Roman Army Of The Punic Wars As Rome continued to expand her influence, it was inevitable that she would come to blows with the other great power of the time, Carthage. Over a period of 120 years, Rome fought three wars against Carthage and her great general, Hannibal. Although Rome lost over 250,000 men during the Punic Wars, she eventually prevailed and Carthage was destroyed in 146 B.C
#3 - Caesar's Army In 58 B.C., Julius Caesar began the first of three campaigns which resulted in the conquest of Gaul. The army had undergone major reforms under Marius and was now the greatest military force the world had ever seen.
#4 - Nearing The Empire's End During the 2nd and 3rd Centuries A.D., mass migrations from Eurasia put constant pressure on the European frontier. In Mesopotamia, the Parthians and Sassinids attacked the frontiers; and in 260 A.D., the Sassinids defeated a Roman army at Edessa. The Roman Emperor Valerian was killed and up to 25,000 Romans were captured and sold as slaves. By 350 A.D., the Roman army was closer in appearance to their enemies and former enemies than to the Imperial Roman troops of Trajan. Much of this change was due to the fact that the legions were made up of men recruited in the provinces rather than Rome and Italy.
#5 - An Army of Engineers The Romans were excellent engineers in all areas of military endeavor. They were practical and methodical in their planning and project execution. The legions were constantly employed in building projects such as roads, aqueducts, fortifications, and all types of buildings. They were also masters of siege warfare. The siege of Alesia by Julius Caesar and the siege of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. are two well-known examples. During the 1st Century A.D., each legion was assigned about 55 pieces of artillery. These were both bolt-shooting machines and stone throwers. These engines were able to hurl their missiles or rocks up to half a mile. #6 - Armies of the Early Republic Between 514 B.C. and 284 B.C., Rome fought numerous wars with her neighbors. As the chief partner of the Latin League, Rome led the armies that eventually conquered the Etruscans, the Samnites and even Pyrrhus, king of Epirus. Pyrrhus had invaded Italy with an army of 25,000 Macedonians and 20 elephants. His Pyrric Victories" eventually led to his retreat back to Epirus. Interestingly, the Carthaginians had fought Pyrrhus during this same period which made Rome and Carthage distant allies. The end of the Pyrrhic war found Rome in command of southern Italy and a top military power in the Mediterranean.
#7 - Outpost on the Danube Under Trajan, the Romans invaded and eventually annexed Dacia to the east of the Danube River. After the virtual annihilation of two legions, it was not possible to hold this area; and the Romans soon retreated behind the natural defensive barrier of the Danube. A series of fortifications were built which were mutually supportable and manned by auxiliary troops with legions stationed strategically behind the frontier to react to any incursions by enemy tribesmen. In some areas, a ditch and vallum was constructed, but this was not a continuous defensive line. #8 - The March of the Empire At the height of its power in about 115 A.D., the empire of Rome stretched from northern England to southern Iraq. Rome controlled all the land around the Mediterranean. The empire included modern day Egypt, Greece, Spain, France, Turkey, Syria, and much more.