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Story - The Roman Auxiliary
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 I
was born in Gaul, and joined the Roman army when I was eighteen years
old. I will have to serve 25 years before I can leave, but then I will
be a Roman citizen which will be a great honour. I am an auxiliary soldier
and belong to a cohort of 500 men. We are commanded by a Roman officer.I was surprised how many things I had to learn as part of my training. It was very hard work, but now I can use a spear, sword and shield, and an army catapult (ballista), and I can march for miles carrying a heavy load on my back. I fought in Gaul, and was lucky not to be killed, as the auxiliaries are always in the front line of battle. Some of my training was not about fighting at all. I learnt how to make roads and earth walls, and build camps. When we are in camp we all take turns to gather firewood, cook, and fetch water. We all eat together. I now live in a fort in Noviomagus (Chichester) which we built ourselves. I share a room with other auxiliaries, with a separate room to keep all our equipment. Life is very strict in the army and we still practise all our skills, and sometimes have mock battles. When we have free time, which is not very often, we play dice games or watch cockfights. Soldiers love betting, and sometimes I win. When there is a show in the amphitheatre nearby, we all enjoy watching the fights. |
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