Roman solders spent many hours training, this is why the Roman army was so successful. They practised fighting with their swords and throwing their pilum. Legionaries also practised battlefield exercises which included forming up in special formations, marching in step and remaining in a straight lines while moving in different directions. A legionary had to be able to march 32 kilometres in five hours and run long distances, climb over tall walls whilst wearing their full armour. The box formation was known as the testudo, or tortoise, this formation protected the soldiers from spears and arrows.

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