How would a Roman army fare against a medieval army?

Ultimately, the Romans would almost certainly win a hand-to-hand, face-to-face fight, but Medieval warfare no longer revolved around that, and the heavy Knights and Longbowmen would likely make short work of the Legions before they could close for battle.

What was medieval fighting like?

Medieval armies were usually quite small. There were totally bout some hundreds men but mostly they were light army, infantry, bow men and light cavalry. The armoured knights were the small centre, usually about a dozen men who acted sometimes as commanders too. The decorative open field battles were very rare.

How did ancient armies fight?

Soldiers would lunge out in groups to attack the enemy, as few as one man or whole unite such as a Roman maniple. This is where such small unit officers like the centurions were so important, leading from the front they exhorted their men to be brave and attack and often led by example and started the attacks.

Did medieval armies charge at each other?

Yes they did charge across long distances to reduce the amount of time they are within missile range. Each Roman soldier had a couple of javelins or Pilum which would be thrown at the enemy during the charge. Once the two sides collide it essentially becomes a pushing match.

What is a medieval army called?

In medieval armies the term company referred loosely to the body of men accompanying a lord or knight into the field. As the organization of European armies developed, individual companies were brought together in larger tactical formations and eventually became subdivisions of brigades or regiments.

Who had the strongest army ever?

By the end of World War II, the Soviet Union had a standing army of 10 to 13 million men. During and right after the war, the Red Army was by far the most powerful land army in the world. With 500 divisions, most of them being Guard divisions. An honour given to exceptional units, who fought to near death.

What is the difference between the Roman and medieval armies?

Something to consider is how the burden of finance shifts between the two armies. A Roman legion unless I am mistake was armed by the central authorities, while a Medieval force often armed at individual expense. I’m new (say hi & be nice to me!)

What would have happened if the Roman army conquered Europe?

Roman army at it’s height of power and development, would have, in my opinion, destroyed any and all armies from Europe until the time gunpowder became prevalent in warfare.

Could a Roman legion have defeated a medieval army?

It’s a bit hard to define the medieval period, and similarly the Roman legion wasn’t a static organisation. Both existed over extended periods of time and underwent significant changes in those times. – A crusader army probably could have defeated a legion.

Was the Roman army underfunded in the first century?

As you correctly noted, the Roman army of the 1st century was completely state funded, and they were never underfunded during this time. The strengths of the Roman army, relative to medieval European armies, are so very numerous. I’ll try to cover them all, though no doubt I’ll fall short of doing my own point of view any justice when I’m finished.