[War & Business] The Roman Army's 'Jang-yu-yu-seo'

[Image source=Netflix historical drama 'Roma Jeguk' still cut]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The ancient Roman army, which once dominated the Mediterranean world with its powerful dense infantry formations, is known to have been divided into three main units based on age. The younger soldiers stood at the very front line of the formation, engaging in battle first, while the older soldiers stood further back.

The youngest soldiers in their teens, called Hastati, stood at the forefront, followed by the Principes, composed of soldiers in their mid-20s and older, and finally the Triarii, veteran soldiers aged 35 and above, stood at the rear. This formation, which literally followed the principle of ‘Jang-yu-yu-seo (長幼有序)’?emphasizing order according to age?appeared on the surface as if the young soldiers were placed in the most dangerous vanguard position.

However, the reality was quite different. In the dense infantry warfare of the time, the highest number of casualties did not occur in the front line where the teenagers stood, but rather in the third line where soldiers in their 30s and 40s stood. The first and second lines could immediately dodge sideways and retreat when the enemy came into view, but from the third line onward, the enemy was often obscured by their own troops, and they had to fight against enemies attacking from behind as well, making them more vulnerable to encirclement and resulting in far greater casualties.

The Roman military discipline was also most strictly enforced on the Triarii. If they panicked and fled, causing the formation to break, the entire army could be easily breached by the enemy, so they had to maintain the center at all times. They were always careful to keep the morale of the younger recruits in front from collapsing by striking shields or shouting from behind.

They themselves regarded fleeing as a great shame and were said to have willingly sacrificed themselves to save even one more Hastatus, who was about the same age as their own sons. This age-based order in the Roman army played a significant role in building strong trust between the new and old generations and is credited as a foundation for Rome’s unification of the Mediterranean world.

In fact, this sacrificial age-based order was not much different in ancient East Asia. The word ‘Seonbi,’ commonly known as the origin of the term ‘senior,’ is also said to have meant a virtuous and wise warrior who led younger generations and bravely fought at the front lines when war broke out. It was not simply about being older than others to become a senior.

The original meaning of Jang-yu-yu-seo can be said to be the pursuit of an order created through such consideration and respect. Confucius, known as the founder of Confucianism, reportedly answered a disciple’s question about the difference between barbarism and culture by saying, “Culture is to prioritize the weak and elderly.” Looking back at the Jang-yu-yu-seo of people just past the Bronze Age, one cannot help but feel ashamed and see how barbaric the so-called ‘Jang-yu-yu-seo’ debates in today’s political circles really are.