The methodology of ‘Romanology’

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Have you ever noticed how well organised Roman society was? They seemed to have everything efficiently structured so that they could run the daily tasks of administrating a huge empire. Inevitably, there are exceptions to this rule and there has been some cases where the Romans were inefficient and disorganized. Yet for the most part, history tells us that the Romans created much of the underlying ideology and structure that shapes our modern world. I would even go as far to say that they were the most powerful civilization of ALL time, relatively speaking.

“Romanology” is a new term that I have coined which describes a type of methodology that consists of hyper-organisation and segmented thinking that you can apply to all aspects of life (just like the Romans). An example of this can be seen during the transition phase of the Marian reforms in 107BC which changed the structure of the entire Roman army. Originally the Roman army utilized the ‘Maniple’ system which was a methodology of organizing men on the battlefield (See Fig. 1). 


Fig. 1: ON TOPIC, Organization of The Roman Army,  Retrieved from (https://sites.psu.edu/successoftheromans/organization-of-the-roman-army/)

Without going into excessive detail, Fig. 1 shows that there were three main lines of infantry with the oldest and most experienced at the rear and the inexperienced youngest at the front. This methodology proved invaluable in battle because a disorderly mob of barbarians; who did not utilize this level of organisation, would often flee from battle. This simple three tiered system proved highly effective and Rome expanded her borders on multiple fronts due to this organisation. Eventually, this innovative methodology became near to obsolete for Rome, and the ever growing empire demanded new ways of thinking to support itself. Rome needed to reform her army structure. Rome was in demand of a larger and more powerful army. The next phase of development was the infamous Roman Legion (see Fig. 2.).

What do you think when you first look at this image? do you admire the uniformity? do you like the structure? there is a great deal of satisfaction in seeing something so orderly. Each red square is a representation of a century which holds 80 men. (The first cohort holds 150 men for ceremonial and tactical reasons.) This methodology became the beginning of a super-sized military state. Much of it’s success is down to the way that men were organised and segmented. Having manageable sized units of men meant that the huge army was brilliantly tactical and mobile right from the smallest unit to the largest. This synergism provided the Roman soldiers with a super structure that they could rely on, unlike the barbarians who had no orderly structure for battle deployment.

You may be able to see the relationship between the Roman’s fascination with the numbers of 10 and the way things were structured. For example you can see that there are 10 Cohorts, and each Cohort holds 6 Centuries. Each Century has 10 sets of 10 men which is the smallest tactical unit known as a Contubernium (however 2 men of a Contubernium were non-combatants). This link provides extra detail for those interested. http://sites.psu.edu/successoftheromans/organization-of-the-roman-army/

The Contubernium would have 8 men who lived, ate, slept and fought together. This created a bond between a small social group that could be replicated 10 fold across the entire army structure. In reality the Roman Legion was less of an Army structure and more of a highly sophisticated and compatible gathering of 8 men social groups. 

What has this got to do with ‘Romanology’?

Romanology is not just a way of planning and organizing (as seen with the Roman army) it is a way of thinking and living that you can utilize in every day life. For example, as I write this blog I split my time up into what I call the 30/5 rule. This is where I write for 30 minutes and have a break for 5 minutes. I do this systematically until the work is finished. If you are faced with a lot of work and often find yourself getting lost in the vast depths of what you have to do, try applying some ‘Romanology’ and see if it works. 

  • Fig.3: 30/5 Rule. This shows how I plan my time into 30 minute segments with 5 minute breaks.  I write the times that I start work and the time that I go for a break. As you can see I am still looking for jobs. 

I believe you can draw parallels between the 30/5 methodology 
(see Fig. 3) and the way that Romans used ‘line relief’ during battle. In a tactical legionary cohort the men in the front rank would naturally be the first to engage the enemy. With their scutum shields held in defence they would repel the attackers that met them. However during this time both sides of the fight would have idle soldiers in the subsequent ranks waiting for their comrades in front of them to die so they could move up to engage (or lack thereof). The Romans designed a perfect system of fighting known as ‘line relief’. An officer would blow a whistle and soldiers in the front rank would filter backwards and peel off from the front, making their way through the unit until they got to the rear at which point they could rest. This would expose the second rank to the fight. This new rank would be fresh, whereas the enemy would still be utilizing the same front rank that had been fighting since the beginning. This process would happen every few minutes until all the ranks had been equally exposed to the fight. The following YouTube video can help you  visualize this. https://youtu.be/GeDdVdGmWZA (skip to 0:58).

There is much debate in the historical literature of the validity and reliability of this methodology, but even if it wasn’t used often you can still see the excellence of thought applied to something that hadn’t previously been considered before. 

The Romans considered everything from the smallest to the largest level. This is what the 30/5 method aims to achieve. If the smallest detail is planned out meticulously, then the largest overarching objective will eventually be achieved. Jordan Peterson, who is a Canadian Psychologist states, ‘that which is sustainable across time will prevail.’ 

How can I apply ‘Romanology’ to my life?

Have you ever looked at Roman numerals before and ever wondered why the characters are very angular? this is because the Romans recorded everything on tablets. The kind that are made of stone, not of circuitry and plastic. If you have ever tried engraving your name into stone (or wood) you will know that it takes a great degree of skill to carve curvy lines. According to The School of King edward VI in Birmigham “Roman numerals use as few symbols as possible to express values” (See Fig. 4). Therefore the methodology in this case is to get as much information across in the densest format.

Fig. 4:
KS2 Maths Year 5 – 1c Roman Numerals.  Retrieved from: https://www.schoolsofkingedwardvi.co.uk/ks2-maths-year-5-1c-roman-numerals.

‘Romanology’ aims to achieve a very similar standard of thinking. It aims to get you to perform tasks in your life in the densest way possible as to minimize unproductive time. It helps to optimize your level of involvement in any given task or activity without becoming lost in what it is you are trying to do. 

Applying ‘Romanology’ to technology.

When was the last time you were confronted with a new application on your phone or computer? it can be frustrating to try and work out what everything does? I use ‘Romanology’ in these instances. For example, when I was learning how to use this WordPress website to design my blog, I systematically clicked through each setting and tab and clicked on each link in order. This was to help me learn where everything was and where each navigation tab can take me. Admittedly, it can take a while, but so can drawing up a Roman legion on the battlefield. This time is not wasted, it can be used for the greater good. 

Applying ‘Romanology’ to mopping a floor.

‘Romanology’ has its foundations in time management. Whereas in the past, Roman Generals would manage soldiers on a battlefield, we as modern humans manage our time. Something as simple as mopping a floor can be a mundane and sporadic activity. It can be sporadic because of how people go about cleaning their floor. When I use ‘Romanology’ I envisage the floor is made of sectors or quadrants (ironically, much like in Fig. 2) when I mop. I mop in straight lines and when each line is mopped I will move onto the next line. Imagine a football pitch where you see the lines and columns cut into the grass. In doing this you almost segment the activity of mopping into bite-size stages so that it does not feel so mundane. You can also see your progress more easily.

Conclusion

There are many uses for this methodology and it is a new field of time management theory that I have devised (it is bound to have flaws). It can be argued that ‘Romanology’ is a broad and generic term that has no real meaning. However, I believe it is more synonymous with terms such as ‘efficiency’, ‘structure’ and ‘organisation’. It may even seem like obsessive-compulsive disorder. However the term has it’s benefits and it can change the way we think and apply management skills to our lives.

You often have two choices when it comes to management skills, you can either be a barbarian, someone who takes things as they come and relies on a strong internal locus of control to help them navigate life. Or you can be a Roman, someone who has a high degree of detailed efficiency and can structure tasks into manageable chunks that will help navigate through a large body of tasks (or an enemy barbarian). Either choice is acceptable as long as it works, but if you find yourself hacking and slashing at tasks in your life, or you find yourself burning out to early, or you find yourself either giving things a full frontal charge or nothing at all, then it may be time for you to issue your own ‘Marian Reforms’ and see how you can better structure your life so that you can help maintain your inner empire for the long game. Good luck.

  • Fig. 5
  • Fig. 6

References

The Journey Begins

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Did you know that some of the Roman citizens actually did not like Julius Ceasar. It is of common knowledge that he was assassinated. He was assassinated for many reasons but one of the most interesting reasons for his assassination was because he had become more powerful than the Roman Empire itself. He had fought on many campaigns in Germania and had expanded the territories of Rome.

In doing this he brought about many victories including the Battle of Alesia in 52 BC. This siege was arguably one of the most incredible displays of tactics, ingenuity and determination. If you are aware of what happened you will know that Ceasar besieged the fortified settlement in the hope that he would starve out the defending forces. However, Roman scouts reported that a Gallic relief force was marching towards Ceasar. Ceasar’s scouts told him that he would eventually be severely outnumbered. So instead of calling off the siege he decided to build a set of fortifications that not only (originally) encircled the entire settlement, but additionally protected the backs of his army at the same time. This meant that that Ceasar; who was the besieger was also defending his force from being besieged itself.

If you want to know more about this incredible event watch the following video from Historia Civilis has a brilliant channel that is worthy of a subscription. https://youtu.be/SU1Ej9Yqt68.

Eventually all great and powerful empires become so strong that they can not support their own weight, and eventually fall into dissolution. Some empires crash and burn but the most successful and powerful empires are their own worst enemies. Julius Ceasar had grown so popular that he yielded the mightiest power in the world at the time. This power was the command of a Roman Legion, 5,200 heavily armed infantry soldiers that would support you at the drop of a hat. It could be argued that whoever was in command of the legions was in command of the Roman Empire.

In today’s modern world there is no need for mass ranks of heavily armoured men to display and utilize power. Power is often seen as a dirty word but it is argued that power is something that everyone strives to receive. Here at Operation Galea, you will hopefully gain the insight of my knowledge as the author which will hopefully expand your mind. You will hopefully be able to ponder the ideas and topics discussed so that you can approach things in your every day life from a different perspective or angle. If this blog manages to make you ponder something in a different way then my mission has been a success. That is my primary goal for this blog, and I hope that I can inspire you with the knowledge that I have gained over many years of “researching” topics on YouTube.  

Knowledge is your “galea”, your helmet and if you gain enough of it, it can help you to perceive the world we live in through different lenses. You helmet is your power because it defends you from the blows of others.

Now put on your helmet!