Currently rushing at university and one of the frat brothers makes this claim. I'm skeptical. He has actually been attempting to do this himself and, well... it isn't going so well for him. I'm curious as to whether anyone can speak to the sleep schedule of Roman soldiers and in addition, the sleep schedule of Roman society at any point in their history.
Thanks!
I very much doubt it. Roman soliders were incredibly fit, no doubt, but they were expected to march with their gear on thier shoulders, with one mule for every 4 men. This is what enabled the Post-Marian reform legions to move so quickly and gained them the nickname "Marius Mules".
I believe Ceaser claims in his "Observations" that he was able to cover 30 miles on foot in one day!.
At the end of the march the legions would construct a fort, and then tear it down or burn it before continuing the next day.
At the end of a march, Roman solider could be expect to fight, and doing so on 2 hours sleep for every 48 hours would be almost impossible I imagine.