I'm watching the new Hurcules movie and there is a montage about a 1/4 of the way through showing an army marching, rank and file, for days. There is no interaction between each individual soldier, they're carrying only their fighting equipment (spear, sword, shield) and they're marching in unison as you would see a modern infantry unit during a military parade.
Yes, I know they are Greek soldiers in the film and, yes, I know it's only a film but it got me wondering about how soldiers travelled long distances in ancient times. I ask about Romans in particular to narrow the question down.
Right. Haven't seen the film but I plan on watching it soon.
Read Tom Holland's Rubicon. Fantastic book that covers the rise and fall of the republic very well.
Seeing as you haven't specified pre or post Marius Roman armies I'll give you the run down of both.
Pre-Marius: The vast majority of the levies, drawn from the peasantry, would march on foot. The Equites and generals would go on horseback, as they could afford the horses. The formation when marching would be column, a single legion stretching for well over a mile up a road. The cavalry (The rich) would be at the head of the column and then progressively it would get poorer and poorer until you'd have the light infantry (the poorest) at the back, eating everyones dirt. However, if the general knew his shit (Scipio, Marius, Sulla) then this would probably vary depending on strategic conditions. When it comes to conversation... I don't know.
Post-Marius: The marching formation would be less socially orientated as these were no longer levies but professional soldiers on the payroll of the Roman people. Every legionnaire (Standard 'squaddie' if you like) would be given mail, a helmet, a gladius, a pilum and a shield (This a massive generalisation. Equipment would of course vary depending on the army, legion and individual). Apart from this, the formation would be more or less identical. A long column, usually flanked instead of lead by the cavalry (These may be the rich-kids but still professional soldiers).
Now here is the really cool bit. At the end of every days march, each legion would build itself a huge wooden fort with forum, temples, cook houses and toilets. Holland makes the point that it was as if the legions would construct a 'mini-Rome', bringing civilisation with them where ever they went. These would usually be used as a base of operations for a few days, weeks or months but is not unheard of, particularly during Caesars campaigning in Gaul, for an army to construct a camp one night, burn it down the next day and build a new one in the evening, after a full days march.
So to conclude, yes. The vast majority of legions walked everywhere.
I do not know if this is relevant but, in a 'modern' army, a forced march pace is 4 miles an hour with full equipment. You have to be in good shape to keep this pace up for a full 'day' of marching. I think it would be reasonable to assume that a disciplined force like the Romans could easily march 32 -40 miles in one day - season and roads depending