Holy Cross Classics Professor Discusses Evolving Military Rations With HISTORY

While ancient Roman armies largely hunted their food, as archaeological remains of wild animals show, modern soldiers now have access to pizza that can last upwards of three years.

Thomas Martin, professor and "Jeremiah W. O'Connor" chair of classics at the College of the Holy Cross, was recently interviewed by HISTORY on how military rations have evolved over the years to feed hungry troops.

For example, Roman armies hunted everything that was available, but even so, it would rarely be enough to sustain the soldiers, who were "mules more than anything else," says Martin.

"They carried very heavy gear, on bad roads, and that’s when they were not expending calories fighting. With their food they were given wine — a diluted version of what we’re used to — or something closer to vinegar that would help reduce bacteria in their drinking water."

Martin, who is a specialist in the history of the Greco-Roman world as well as numismatics, has contributed to a variety of HISTORY documentaries about the Roman history, including History International’s 13-part series "Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire" in 2008.

To read the full article, go to History.com.