Codex Legionis

The codex guides us in our darkest time to ensure our legion does not lose its way - Legatus

Purpose

Legacy of a Founder

The codex was created by Aurelius the Wise, a famous military figure in Vatian culture for his military skill and philosophical views on the world around him. One of his most outstanding achievements was the creation of the legionary and the legions they would form to replace the outdated hoplites that were no longer an adequate military force. He would do this by creating the Codex Legionis, which would become the backbone of how a legion would be created and the rules and guidelines they would follow to fight forth successfully. The codex would become the foundation of all future legions to follow and would be considered a sacred text amongst the legions to find guidance and as a reminder of who they are.

Document Structure

Publication Status

The codex is only accessible to those in the legions of the Vatian Empire, and only members of these legions are allowed to read them if they can. Anyone who is not a part of the legions and reads the document will be punished as the document goes to great lengths on tactics and skills that on how the legions run and, if in the wrong hands, could cause enemies of the empire to exploit the text and find weaknesses in the legions.

Historical Details

History

A Change in Tactics

It was a different time in what would be a different world when Vatia, a small city-state began to rise in power and expand its borders over in conquered neighbors. But with its rise in power, so did the obstacles it had to face to keep that power. For centuries, the Vatian military would revolve around citizen-soldiers known as hoplites to fight its wars and defend its lands from harm. Often rely on highly organized tactics to face larger enemy forces, with the phalanx being one of their most famous formations. But the expanding borders of the city made it more challenging to protect its lands from neighbors and raiders, along with the citizens that took up arms to defend their homes could not guard these borders at all times because they were not trained to do so. There was also the fact that the tactics used were becoming outdated as their enemies soon found ways to exploit them, leading to costly defeats. This would significantly change with the arrival of Aurelius the Wise as he began to create a new professional army that would be capable of protecting their lands and defeating their enemies.
With his years of experience fighting the wars to ensure his people's survival, Aurelius would create a codex allowing his people to train proper soldiers for war. He would also be very thorough to ensure that it could not be exploited as easily as one would expect. He also found ways to allow small armies to be capable of fighting larger ones by creating tactics that would make their number useless. Along with ways to expand their borders by building infrastructure to allow citizens, to move right into these new lands with ease without the fear of attack or hardships. With adding his philosophical views to create a sense of nationalism and duty to all serving in the military to never give in to the fear and despair in the face of so many enemies they had to face. With this codex, the legionaries were created, and their role in ensuring victory for the city and its rise to becoming a kingdom and a regional power that very few would dare face.

Read the Document

Codex Legionis

Foundations of a Legion

A legion is not just an army comprised of individuals but a machine that works as one to carry out feats that an individual cannot achieve. All weaknesses that could break or halt the machine must be removed to ensure that the machine may continue its purpose. No one is above the legion and will be dealt with accordingly for the crimes against it.
Each Legionary will be trained in the art of war. They shall be equipped with only the finest weapons and be trained to use every single one. Even when unarmed, they shall become weapons that will crush their enemies. Their armor shall be strong and protect them from anything that harms them. But their shield shall defend them most of all as it will lock with their comrades to form a mighty defense that shall stop the mightiest hordes that dare face them.
Once one gives themselves to a legion, it becomes a part of their very being. All members of a sacred brotherhood to one another and their legion. All shall strive to do what they must for their legion and carry out their duties to ensure that glory and honor are gained. They have bound to the legion, their loyalties, and themselves alone.
No legion shall be the same, for they shall each walk a different path to prove themselves. In doing so, they shall be bound by their traditions and rituals to strengthen themselves. Under the founder of their legion, these guiding principles they set shall lead them to adapt to the world around them and avoid the follies of quantity over quality.
Only those who prove themselves worthy shall be given the right to lead in a legion. None shall earn the right through influence or coin but merit and character. They shall be given the right to price themselves and shall know the trial of war that shall make or break them. Those who manage to survive shall be reforged into something solid and enduring to prove themselves worthy of their rank.
A legion shall not solely be taught in the ways of war; they shall be taught in the ways of the builder to build walls to protect themselves while they sleep and guard. Roads that shall quicken their pace and structures that shall help them cross the most challenging terrain that blocks their path. Along with engines of war that shall be used to defeat their enemies and shall never be safe no matter how great their walls or how far from reach they are.

Guiding Principles

Reject weakness, embrace discipline.
Honor and duty forge our brotherhood.
There is no tolerance for cowardice.
Fear is natural, but courage is a choice.
Alone we are nothing, but together we are strong.
Fight on till the last breath in the face of adversity.
Never surrender without a fight.
Always prepare for war, for it will eventually come.

Formation of a Legion

Each legion shall hold a force of six thousand with support to aid them in their travels. Though their numbers may be small in the face of larger forces, each soldier is considered a force to be reckoned with. With each one carrying all, they must remain mobile and not be slowed by wagons or other complications.
They shall be divided into cohorts, with the first being twice as large to hold the most experienced veterans of the legion to ensure proper use of them in battle. These cohorts shall consist of five hundred to ensure proper strength without weakness in numbers.
For every hundred men, a century shall be formed; with it, a centurion shall lead them into battle. Their authority will be stern yet flexible to ensure the compliance of their men. He is to be the most trusted individual of the group, for they shall ensure that their men are not led astray with their trusted Optio to aid them when needed.
Every ten men in the legion shall form a Contubernium; they shall train, eat, and sleep in the same tent together. Doing so shall forge a bond far more significant than one could ever imagine and strengthen their resolve to fight for one another and the legion.

Specialist Amongst the Legion

Amongst the legion, there shall be those who will be trained in skills necessary for the legion's success and survival. Each of them shall behave their purpose no matter their status in the legion as they will be crucial to its success.
The standard-bearer is a position of the highest honor of carrying the banner of the legion and those who are the most capable; the founder's standard is simple that defines a legion and its traditions. They shall inspire those around them and carry out commands to ensure that orders are understood.
Due to the numbers and distance between soldiers, a system shall be created using horns and trumpets with soldiers being able to understand their meanings and quickly act upon them and orders given to them, along with inspiring them in battle and marching to raise their spirits when needed.
Those skilled in the art of engineering will be needed to ensure that the legion can build when needed. They will be crucial in building fortifications and infrastructure that the legion will need to build during and after the conquest.
The legion can maintain that weapons, tools, and armor while in the field, smiths, and armorers shall be needed to ensure that the equipment of the legion does not become degraded. Doing so shall allow the legion to be efficient in all fields and not encounter any problems.
Every army must know what they have and need, while clerks will be needed to maintain supplies, records, and payments to ensure that the legion is properly maintained. They are the most crucial individuals to ensure the effeteness of the legion.
To ensure the safety of the legion when at rest, an exceptional group of men shall be selected to maintain watch over the camp both day and night. These watchmen will ensure that the legion is never caught off guard and can prepare for battle when needed.
Every army needs to know what they are getting into to avoid disaster, so scouts will need to explore the territory beyond the legion's sight. They will gather and retrieve information that could mean life or death for a legion.

Leaders of the Legion

Officers shall be in positions in every part of the legion to ensure that order is maintained and orders are followed. These officers must prove themselves capable of maintaining a cool head and the respect of those serving under them. Those who do not shall gain no trust in their men as they have not proven themselves or show traits seen as unfit for an officer.
All officers must be stern when dealing with their men and ensure that discipline is maintained and all duties, including their own, are completed. An officer incapable of doing so has the right to keep their rank and position, for they are responsible for ensuring the safety of those under their command.
An officer must be an example that all soldiers should look up to and be inspired to be. In doing so, they shall try their hardest to reach their positions. But they must prove they have the will and skill to do so. An officer is to be a self-made individual and has rightfully earn their position through their merits.
For every failure a legion faces, there must be one held accountable for that failure. That can be said for soldiers and officers alike that were a part of their losses. A capable officer cannot be blamed for the actions of men under them for being unable to carry out their duties or orders given to them. But an incapable officer can be blamed if they show any signs of weakness and incompetency in the line of duty, for only a terrible shepherd will be blamed on their flock for being devoured by wolves. Those who cause disastrous results must be punished for their actions no matter what, as they have endangered the entire legion because of it.
All officers must be recognized from a distance for soldiers to follow orders and avoid confusion. They must be able to stand out in a crowd and make soldiers around them stand at attention when in their presence. All officers of significance shall have a plume of feathers or horse hairs that is dyed. Higher-ranking officers shall be given distinct armor or items to signify their office of authority and be able to carry out their duties without confusion in the hierarchy of command in the legion.

Travel and Supplies

For an army to be strong, it must be capable of marching great distances within short amounts of time given to them as it can between life and death. A legion will not be prepared for combat until they reach a distance of eight leagues in five hours carrying all of their supplies. They should be capable of doing so in any weather and not suffer from fatigue if they are adequately trained and can set up camp and carry out duties.
Wagons are slow and cumbersome when dealing with rough terrain, slow the legion's movement significantly, and can be forced to abandon crucial supplies if under challenging situations. This why a legionary shall carry everything they need to be as mobile as possible, from armor to rations, to avoid such problems no matter what terrain they go through. Through proper training, they shall be able to carry tremendous amounts of weight on themselves and not suffer the effects of fatigue.
Things such as wagons and other means of travel deliver needed supplies until an area is secure. Supplies can become easily targeted by an enemy in their territory and will either steal or destroy resources critical for a legion. This is why a legion must make do with their supplies and crush any threats that could have their supplies taken from them to free the enemy. These supply lines shall only give what is needed to maintain the legion; the rest must live off the land to survive.

In Regards of Training

For a legion to be effective, all within it must go through physical training to become strong and do the required tasks. They must be drilled every day and go through repeated tasks to strengthen all parts of their body. Along with being taught the physical duties they must learn when in service.
Any weapon a soldier has on them can quickly be taken away from them if the right circumstances are met. This is why techniques in areas of unarmed combat must be met to survive long enough to reach safety or find another weapon. They shall be taught the ways of wresting and boxing to gain an edge over foes and overwhelm them. This will often catch the foe by surprise as they have no defense against the tactic of unarmed fighting.
A legionary must learn to survive independently when sent into hostile territory or the wilderness. They must learn how to hunt and live off the land when they have to and survive on their own if they are separated from the legion and do what they can to return to it. They must also learn how to swim if they are thrown from a ship or travel across bodies of water undetected. Along with being capable of moving across any terrain without struggling in it.

Close

Type

Manual, Military

Medium

Paper

Authoring Date

1534 BCA

Authors

• Aurelius the Wise

Scripture of the Legions

by Midjourney

The codex is considered a sacred document still used by the Imperial Legions of the empire to this day. It is often used to ensure the legions do not stray from their principles and traditions. Though some of the ideas in the codex are outdated, considering it was written thousands of years ago, its ideas and the wisdom of what it meant to be a legionary are considered an inspiration to current and future generations who decided to join the legions. It has been etched in the very being of culture and remains relevant to their modern times.