+- RomanArmyTalk (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat)
+-- Forum: Research Arena (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/forumdisplay.php?fid=4)
+--- Forum: Roman Military History & Archaeology (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/forumdisplay.php?fid=8)
+--- Thread: Information on Roman Marines (/showthread.php?tid=14049)
Information on Roman Marines - auxilary - 11-25-2008
Hi to all
I am a new comer with a rekindled inteest in the Legions. So please bear with my questions.Can anyonbe point me to information if any on the Roaman Marines.
I believe that they were non citizens the same as the ship crews .
They I believe had 25 year enlistments.Were their shields a blue colour.
Looking forward to a reply
cHEERS
Auxilary
Re: Information on Roman Marines - Robert Vermaat - 11-25-2008
Hi Graham,
Welcome to the forum. Please enter your real (first) name in your signature, which can be found in your profile. It's a forum rule.
Re: Information on Roman Marines - Lothia - 11-26-2008
Ave Graham,
I have found a few references to Roman Sailors in Osprey's Roman Military Clothing (2).
Other than the one picture and a few references in the text I cannot offer you any more help at the time.
If I find anything else, I will post it to the end of this.
Tom
Re: Information on Roman Marines - Nemonius Agricola - 11-26-2008
Ave Graham,
Sailors were ranked far below legionaires and somewhat below auxiliiaries, as the navy was regarded as an inferior force. In the republic there was a distinction between rowers and marines, but this disappeared in the empire. The rowers and other crew members had to be soldiers as well, especially for boarding operations. After Actium there is no evidence I could find that the legions provided marines on a regular basis, probably because there was no necessity for heavily armed tropps to be on board permanently.
You might want to check these books:
The ancient Mariners,Seafarers and Sea fighters of the Mediterranean in Ancient Times by Casson,L.
A History of Seafaring in the Classical World by Meijer,F.
Mare Nostrum Les Infrastructures, le dispositif et l'historie de la marine militaire sous l'empire romainby Redde,M.
Send in the Marines. - zugislander - 11-28-2008
Graham,
The Marines served 26 years not 25 (hence the presumption that they were inferior to Auxilaries). Although, since a couple of legions were actually elevated Roman Marine units and the Marines were a presence in all major Roman cities, that conclusion might be debated.
It was a blue/green color, described as matching the color of the sea. If memory serves the mention was in regard to their sails. I have never seen anything directly on the shield colors. This reference was also a third or fourth century reference so it might not apply to earlier periods. But it is all there is to go on.
In addition to the books already mentions I would suggest Mason’s Roman Britain and the Roman Navy.
Finally, there is actually a group in Britain that has a website on the Navy and the Marines.
http://www.classis-britannica.co.uk/sml/index.htm
Cordially,
Michael