For example, what are the differences and similarities in rank, military tactics, etc. Any and all information is welcome.

Pre-Marian or Post- ?

Relevant addendum: Pre-Mede or Post-?

Overall.

There is no overall really.
The Roman armies changed drastically throughout the centuries. Are we talking Camillan, Polybian, Marian, Imperial, Thematic,...?

That's Byzantine, right?

All, I suppose. It is fine if you can only explain the differences between the Elder Scrolls and some of them.

It's really not that simple for the ES side either. Are we talking Septim or Mede legions? They don't even use the same ranking system. The Septim legions in Morrowind featured knights as forming the highest echelons of the Imperial Military, with a Knight of the Imperial Dragon serving as commander of all forces within a region. The Mede empire in Skyrim features generals as the highest officer in a theater of war, with Legates serving under them as commanders of Imperial forces in individual holds.

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In that case then the Mede legions are closer to the Roman legion than the Septim ones.

Hm....I do remember reading that the Imperial Legion in Morrowind was closer to a knightly system than that of the actual Roman Legions.


Yes, based on what Darth said I would agree. What I'm really curious abut is what the system of Skyrim is, though. The game states that General Tullius is the military governor. What does that mean? Also, there are other Legates besides Rikke. Does that make her Chief Legate? Are legates similar to lieutenants?

Straight answer: The resemblances are mostly superficial.

Military governor is fairly self-explanatory, I think. Under the Empire, the High King is the titular head of state, like the colonial legislatures in the American colonies, and likewise has most of the power in times of peace but there is also a governor who truly holds power. With Skyrim in revolt, it was decided that a military man who's used to enforcing discipline in his subordinates might be the practical choice.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/military+governor

Actual Roman legions became lazy to the point that they didn't even wear their armor because it was, and I quote, "heavy". Even at that they boasted a greater management of troops and banking authority than the Median legions appear to hold. There was wide talk of training standards they never really pretended to uphold told in great books presented to emperors and whatnot, but there is unimaginable strength in bluffing as commanders have found out.

No wonder they fell to the barbarians.

Stop being my favourite.


RE: Pre and Post Mede: That is a false dichotomy. In Morrowind we see Roman legions (Roman legions had knightly orders as well, look it up). In Oblivion we had...well, none of the lore in Oblivion matches up with anything else . Skyrim things are Roman again, but even more so.

Important thing to consider is even their style of armour and terminology aside, they are a permanent, homogeneous armies of profession soldiers across an empire, officially under state control (though more likely very much in the power of their generals). That is as Roman as you can get, no matter what shape armour you dress them in.

Do note about the Legion knights that they do not appear to be actual feudal warriors, as RL knights were. They don't hold lands, have serfs or command levies, and are professional soldiers, just as the rank-and-file. It seems that Knight Errant, Knight Bachelor, Knight of the Garland etc. etc. are simply higher ranks, probably all officers, judging from their different uniforms and whatnot.

Imperial legions wears armor similar to Romans and their names are very latin in sound. Imperials have always been Roman or Greek influenced.

I think the Greco-Roman influence is supposed to be more the Nibenay part of Cyrodill and the Imperial city. The Colovian parts of Cyrodiil to the north look more Holy Roman Empire of central European as in Dracula's castle, Bavarian architecture & European looking knight armors. Oblivion greatly showed this with Skingrad, Chorrol & Cheydinhal. Even the Battlehorn Castle which was situated in the Colovian parts of Cyrodiil looked more central European over Greco-Roman.

I think the Greco-Roman / Holy Roman Empire mix looks good for Imperials

Just so long as they keep the garrish part of Greece and Rome.

But as has been said, the Roman Legions changed a lot over their history, so it would be difficult to compare them.

Well, just because I'm tired of all the "Pre-Marian or Post?" and the "Pre-Mede or Post" questions, I'm going to take a whack at this with a few assumptions.

First Assumption: We are talking the Imperial Roman Army of the Julio-Claudians and beyond, but before the 3rd Century CE.

Second Assumption: We are using the Morrowind and Post-Mede organizations of the Imperial Army (Oblivion either being an anomaly or an example of some sort of Praetorian Home Guard)

Regarding armor, the designs are superficially similar, which is obvious. It's all Pteruges (Skirts) to protect the legs, with greaves and manica (armguards) rather than gauntlets, and either simple tunic/leather combinations, mail (lorica hamata) or plated armor (lorica segmentata). All helmets are... roughly similar to the Roman ones, except the full-face, horse-hair crest Imperial Helmet which looks more Corinthian (300 Helmets). The blades aren't truly gladii, used mostly for stabbing, as they're significantly longer and more adabtable, but we'll put this down to the Legions' nordic ancestry. Shields in skyrim are entirely different, being in the kite shape of your stereotypical viking or englishman.

Regarding organization, again, the links are superficial. Morrowind's inclusion of a knightly order and nobility to the legion actually made it more correct. Equites (literally meaning 'horseman') were the Knights of Rome, placed at some level between plebs and patricians. They formed the cavalry of a Roman legion and were more likely to hold officer positions (centurions, etc.) Before the Marian and Imperial reforms, in the time of the Polybian legions, only knights had access to certain military offices, such as the tribunum militum, the actual commanders of any Roman Legion. Military Tribunes (tribunum militum) were the 'generals' of Legions. The title of Legatus or Legate was that of a Roman General of the patrician class. Social status meant he out-ranked the military tribunes and could command the legions instead. Legates were often chosen to be military governors. The title of 'general' that Tullius has is therefore rather silly. Like this one, Quaestor is also nonsensical. Not because there was no such thing as a Quaestor, but because it was a civilian title given to a civic official that handled financial matters. Auxiliary was the term given to any allied forces helping the Legion that were not proper Legionaires. The commanders of one hundred legionaires were called Centurions. This means, if Skyrim wished to be true to Rome, the rankings should have been as follows: "Auxiliary (you are, after all, an ally in the beginning), Legionaire, Centurion, Tribune, Legate." And all the "Legates" in Skyrim should have been demoted to Tribunes.

In the end, what this boils down to is that Morrowind's Legion was closer in spirit to Rome, even if Skyrim is closer in its terminology. Morrowind's Legion was comprised of troopers commanded by knights, all in military roles. Skyrim's legion is a mish-mash of latin words, led by a general (perhaps a legate or consul?).

When it comes to fighting style and tactics, I believe the fault lies with the limitations of the game. All NPCs are given the same fighting style, so they all tend to look the same and get into a big, chaotic jumble, spinning around each other and limping away as they fight. If the Imperial Legion really was to be Roman, they would march as one and face the enemy with their shields, stabbing more than chopping, and prefacing each charge with javelins (perhaps sustained arrow fire, without thrown weapons). Instead, most legionaires charge into the melee and are promptly decimated by the heavier weapons of Stormcloaks. The tank that was the Roman legion could perhaps have been emulated in spirit if all Legionaires were decked in heavy armor, but instead they mostly share light armor, similar to Stormcloaks, and are therefore easily defeated in most confrontations.

Hope this helps.

Imperial in terms of combat style are suited to heavy armor, one handed accompanied by shield. This is very Roman - short sword and shield.

This style would also compares to the fighting style of later Roman Empire (German Frankish leadership) as in the era of knights in steel plate armor and medieval warfare (mounted warfare came more into play then). When I see the Colovian region of Cyrodill, it looks more later Roman era as in more Medieval.

The "Holy Roman Empire" rose up after the earlier Roman Kingdom -> Roman Republic -> Roman Empire and centred on Northern Italy and central Europe. Culturally it was still very much governed by Rome through the authority of the pope and the Catholic church.

Its very much the same as Nords being blessed in the use of two handed weapons which compared to more Scandinavian / Norse warfare where warriors often used large two handed swords or war axes.

Women can serve in the Imperial Legion.

Also, the Imperial Legion has Orcs in it, and to the best of my knowledge there were no Orcs in the Roman Legion.

Also: one was real, and to the best of my knowledge, the other is fictional.

Let's dial back the sarcasm a little. It's a legitimate point-- the gender dynamics in Tamriel are different than real life.