Ancient Roman Army Generals
The Roman Army was the greatest military force on earth for several centuries. Over those centuries many great generals were in command of this great army. On this page you will find a list of facts about many of these famous ancient Roman army generals along with interesting information about what it meant to be a general in the ancient Roman Army. Every kid and adult has heard of the first name in our list, Julius Caesar, howver the other names listed are not as weel known.Interesting Facts about Ancient Roman Army Generals
- The army was very important to ancient Romans. It provided protection from their enemies and helped expand the empire; therefore successful roman generals were greatly respected and honored in Roman society.
- Roman Generals often had political aspirations. Generals who became popular among the citizens of Rome gained a lot of influence in that civilization. This often created fear among the Roman senate, and later on in history Roman Emperors, that an influential general might make an attempt to over throw them. Julius Caesar did just this in 45 BC.
- The highest honor bestowed upon a general in the ancient Roman Army was a triumph (in Latin triumphus). The general would ride into Rome in a horse drawn chariot along a designated path with crowds cheering him on. This honor was usually bestowed upon a general after victory in a great battle or upon the conquering of an enemy.
List of Famous Ancient Roman Army Generals
- Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC) - He is the most famous Roman in history and was a genius of a military commander. He won numerous battles and was extremely popular with the Roman people. His greatest victory was at the Siege of Alesia which ended in 52 BC and marked the turning point in the Gallic Wars. In 45 BC he took control of Rome, becoming dictator, and ushered in the Roman Empire.
- Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (63 BC - 12 BC) - He was a good friend to Augustus Caesar and was his most important general; winning numerous crucial military victories. His greatest victory was the naval Battle of Actium in 31 BC in which he defeated the Egyptian forces of Cleopatra and Marc Antony.
- Flavius Aetius (396 - 454 BC) Often referred to as "the last true Roman" he was a Roman general during the last days of the Western Roman Empire. He won important battles against the Visigoths and the Franks. He is most famous for defeating Atilla the Hun, leader of the Hunnic Empire, at the Battle of Catalaunian Plains.
- Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (236 - 186 BC) - was a Roman General who is best known for his great victory over Hannibal at the Battle of Zama which was the final battle of the Second Punic War (The Carthaginian War). Due to this victory among numerous others many historians rank him as one of the greatest generals in history.
- Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus (229 - 160 BC) - This great Roman general is best known for defeating the Macedonians and bringing about the end of their dynasty. In 168 BC the Roman army under the leadership of General Lucius beat the Macedonians in the decisive battle of Pynda in the Third Macedonian War.
ANCIENT ROME HISTORY FACTS