Roman Legionaries were the professional soldiers of the ancient Roman Empire. They were typically Roman citizens who served in the military for a period of around 25 years. Legionaries were well-trained and disciplined, forming the backbone of the Roman army. They fought in organized units called legions, which usually consisted of about 5,000 men. Equipped with armor, shields, and weapons like the gladius (a short sword) and pilum (a throwing spear), legionaries were skilled in both hand-to-hand combat and formation tactics. Their effectiveness in battle contributed significantly to the expansion and maintenance of the Roman Empire's vast territories.