Roman Legionary 58 BC–AD 69

Legionary recruits trained daily for four gruelling months. Training began with practising the military steps, ‘for nothing should be maintained more on the march or in battle, than that all soldiers keep ranks as they move’ (Vegetius, Epitome, 1.9). Recruits were required to march 29km in five hours at the regular step, and 35km in five hours at the faster step, loaded with a pack about 20.5kg (45lb) in weight. This burden was merely for acclimatisation; the weight of his arms and armour alone could be far greater. Strict maintenance of the ranks was enforced during drill, the centurions and training officers using their staffs to beat any laggards.