- indicates that the civilization does not get Conscription.
+ indicates that the civilization has at least one civilization bonus that benefits the combat strength of the Legionary.
Gameplay[]
For the cheap cost and good hit point count, the Legionary is an excellent choice to send into battle over the Long Swordsman. They can survive longer and deal more damage, though they still remain inferior to Academy units. These units are great for massed attacks due to their cheap cost and expendability. They are the weakest type of super unit and cannot be upgraded further. If played as the Choson, their hit points increase by 80 and if played as the Romans, their attack speed increases by 50%.
The Roman legion was the ultimate military formation of antiquity. The legion was a 4200-man unit at full strength, broken down into 120-man units called maniples. Most of the maniples went into battle as separate blocks of men in a square formation that looked something like a checkerboard from above. Ten maniples fought as skirmishers in loose order to the front of the first line of blocks. They attacked the enemy infantry line with sling stones, arrows, and javelins as the two armies closed and then fell back between gaps in the blocks. They may have moved to the edges of the battle to protect the Roman line and harass the enemy line. The heavy infantry blocks moved forward, throwing javelins just before the clash. Gaps in the blocks may have been filled in by a second row of blocks containing more experienced soldiers. The third and final row of blocks was the smallest but contained the most experienced veterans who served as the legion's reserve. The basic legion might have attached cavalry, archers, engineers, and artillery, depending on the task before it. At its peak, the Roman Empire had legions deployed all along its frontiers, defending against barbarians, putting down revolts, expanding the empire, and maintaining order.
”
—The Age of Empires manual
Legionaries in Age of Empires were primarily based on troops that once patrolled the frontiers of the Roman Empire. These troops were very well trained and were considered as one of the best soldiers in Europe during antiquity. For one thing, the Roman Empire had a centralized bureaucracy which improved the skill and tactics generals use during combat since only well trained soldiers are allowed to become the legions and praetorians of Rome. These soldiers are controlled by infantry divisions which made warfare easier by splitting infantry into different groups. Roman Centurions commanded a group of 100 legionaries, with other officers controlling smaller groups under the Centurion. Roman Legionaries were equipped with a pilum, or javelin, which was used for throwing, a gladius (short iron sword), their primary weapon, and a large shield. The use of iron in the legionaries' equipment gave them an advantage over many other civilizations, which used bronze in their tools and weapons, which was heavier and tended to shatter.
Trivia[]
With 220 hit points, the Choson Legionary has the highest hit points of all foot units in the game.
With a reload time of 1.0, the Roman Legionary has the fastest attack of all units in the game.
Gallery[]
Legionaries in Return of Rome with a distinct model
The Short Swordsman unit line in Return of Rome, with the Legionary on the right end
A group of Legions (former name) in the original game. They share same appearance with the Long Swordsman.
Available
Unavailable
Choson
Phoenicians
Assyrians
Babylonians
Persians
Romans
Toolworking (+2)
Metalworking (+2)
Metallurgy (+3)
Leather Armor Infantry (+2/0)
Scale Armor Infantry (+2/0)
Chain Mail Infantry (+2/0)
Bronze Shield (0/+1)
Iron Shield (0/+1)
Tower Shield (0/+1)
Conscription (+25%)
Logistics (-0.5 population usage)
Hit points
Attack speed
Choson: Storage Pit technologies are -40% cheaper.
