During the third century, the Roman army consisted mainly of soldiers recruited from the lower classes, often consisting of farmers and other rural workers. These soldiers were known as "barbarians" and came from various regions of the Roman Empire.
However, by this time, the Roman army had lost its advantage over the soldiers of the barbarian tribes. The Roman military had become overly bureaucratic, slow-moving, and more focused on politics and power struggles than on effective military strategy.
At the same time, the barbarian tribes, such as the Goths, had become more organized and experienced, and their soldiers were often more skilled in cavalry combat and archery. This gave them an edge over the Roman soldiers, who were primarily infantry-based and lacked the mobility and range of the barbarians.
Furthermore, the Roman army had become increasingly reliant on mercenaries and foreign troops, further diminishing its effectiveness and discipline. The soldiers' loyalty to Rome began to wane, leading to more frequent and successful rebellions and uprisings from within the ranks.
In conclusion, the Roman army's decline during the third century was due to a combination of administrative and political factors, as well as a lack of effective military strategy and discipline. This allowed the barbarian tribes to gain an advantage over the Roman soldiers, ultimately contributing to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Describe the type of soldiers that served in the Roman army during the third century. In what way had they lost their advantage over the soldiers of the barbarian tribes?
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shorten it
During the third century, the Roman army consisted primarily of lower-class soldiers known as "barbarians." However, bureaucratic and political issues had weakened the Roman military, while barbarian tribes had become more skilled and organised. The Roman soldiers lacked mobility and range, and their loyalty was in question due to the increasing use of mercenaries. This contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire.
1 answer