what was the marching formation the romans used called and where did they get the idea?

The marching formation used by the Roman army was called the "Roman military formation" or the "Roman Legionary Formation." This formation was known for its disciplined organization and flexibility in combat.

To understand where the Romans got the idea for their marching formation, we need to look back to ancient Greece. The Romans were influenced by the Greek Phalanx formation, which was a closely packed formation of soldiers carrying spears and shields. However, the Romans adapted and developed their own unique formation over time.

The Roman military formation was based on the idea of dividing soldiers into smaller groups called "cohorts" and arranging them in a checkerboard-like pattern. The soldiers within each cohort would stand close together in a rectangular formation. This organization allowed for better maneuverability and adaptation to the changing battlefield conditions.

The Romans also introduced special formations such as the "wedge" or "column" for frontal assaults and the "testudo" or "tortoise" formation for defensive purposes. These formations provided the Roman army with an advantage in various types of warfare.

Overall, the Romans borrowed concepts from the Greek Phalanx but adapted and improved upon them to create their unique military formations. Their organization and tactics played a crucial role in their military success and expansion of the Roman Empire.