The Wars cemented the Roman use of the cohort instead of the maniple. First described by Polybius as an administrative unit that was used in a battle in 206 BC, it had become a tactical unit by the 130s. Typically a quarter the size of a cohort, the maniple had proved too small and ineffective. The cohort was an effective counterbalance to Gallic and Germanic tactics. The system diversified the ranks by combining men from different socio-economic ranks: unlike in the maniple system, rich and poor fought alongside each other in a single uniform unit, greatly increasing overall morale by removing resentment. A cohort held 480 men. Ten cohorts, combined with a small cavalry unit, engineers, and officers, made a legion of around 5,000 men.
The Wars cemented the Roman use of the cohort instead of the maniple First described by Polybius as an administrative unit that was used in a battle in 206 BC it had become a tactical unit by the 130s Typically a quarter the size of a cohort the maniple had proved too small and ineffective The cohort was an effective counterbalance to Gallic and Germanic tactics The system diversified the ranks by combining men from different socio-economic ranks unlike in the maniple system rich and poor fought alongside each other in a single uniform unit greatly increasing overall morale by removing resentment A cohort held 480 men Ten cohorts combined with a small cavalry unit engineers and officers made a legion of around 5000 men