"History":"The Romans controlled one of the largest empires of the ancient world, stretching at its peak from southern Scotland to the Sahara Desert, and containing between 60 million and 80 million inhabitants, one quarter of the Earth's population at that time. Rome also remained one of the strongest nations on earth for almost 800 years. The Romans were the supreme builders of the ancient world, excelled at siege warfare and had an exquisite infantry and navy.",
"History":"'Divide and conquer' was the main principle in Rome's foreign politics throughout its long history. The Romans lured enemies or neutral factions to their side by offering them certain privileges. In due period of time, friends as well as foes were subjugated.",
"History":"Dictator for six months during the Second Punic War. Instead of attacking the most powerful Hannibal, he started a very effective war of attrition against him."
"History":"A soldier of the first war with Carthage, a hero of the Second Punic War, and victor over the Gauls at Clastidium. Plutarch describes him as a man of war, strong in body and constitution, with an iron will to fight on. As a general he was immensely capable, standing alongside Scipio Africanus and Claudius Nero as the most effective Roman generals of the entire Second Punic War. In addition to his military achievements Marcellus was a fan of Greek culture and arts, which he enthusiastically promoted in Rome. He met his demise when his men were ambushed near Venusia. In honor of the respect the people held for him, Marcellus was granted the title of 'Sword of Rome.'"
"History":"He was the first really successful Roman general against the Carthaginians. His campaigns in Spain and Africa helped to bring Carthage to its knees during the Second Punic War. He defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama in 202 B.C."
"History":"The Romans commonly used the Testudo or 'turtle' formation for defense: Legionaries were formed into hollow squares with twelve men on each side, standing so close together that their shields overlapped like fish scales.",
"Description":"Roman Legionaries can form a Testudo."
"History":"Roman Citizenship was highly prized in the ancient world. Basic rights and privileges were afforded Roman citizens that were denied other conquered peoples. It is said that harming a Roman citizen was akin to harming Rome herself, and would cause the entire might of Rome to fall upon the perpetrator.",
"History":"Sometimes it was a temporary camp built facing the route by which the army is to march, other times a defensive or offensive (for sieges) structure. Within this gate the tents of the first centuries or cohorts are pitched, and the dragons (ensigns of cohorts) and other ensigns planted. The Decumane gate is directly opposite to the Praetorian in the rear of the camp, and through this the soldiers are conducted to the place appointed for punishment or execution. It has a turf wall, and it's surrounded by a canal filled with water whenever possible for extra defence. Many towns started up as bigger military camps to evolve to more complicated cities.",