ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Military history of ancient Rome

Long, long ago, there was a great big country called Ancient Rome. The people who lived there were very strong and brave, and they had a big army made up of soldiers who were very, very good at fighting.

The Ancient Roman army was organized into little groups called legions, and each legion was made up of lots of soldiers, all dressed in the same uniforms and carrying the same weapons. The soldiers were trained really well and worked together to protect Ancient Rome from its enemies.

One of the most famous Ancient Roman soldiers was a man called a legionary. He wore a big, heavy helmet that protected his head, and he carried a long, sharp sword called a gladius. He also had a big shield that he would use to block enemy attacks. The legionaries were very disciplined and followed their commanders' orders exactly, even in the heat of battle.

Over time, the Ancient Romans got very good at fighting, and they conquered lots of other countries around them. They built big walls and forts to protect their territories, and they became known as one of the most powerful empires in the world.

But fighting wasn't the only thing the Ancient Romans were good at. They also made important discoveries in science, medicine, and engineering. They built roads and aqueducts that made life easier for people in their empire, and they created a legal system that is still used in some places today.

In the end, Ancient Rome fell apart and disappeared, but its legacy lives on. Today, we still study their military history and the many important things they contributed to the world.