[split] Psychology of the Roman soldier

[CNV2855]

I really do think people generally have an aversion to killing. That aversion is relative to how de-humanized their opponent is. I doubt Chris Kyle would have bragged about killing 250 Caucasian soldiers. Is that aversion enough to stop them from defending themselves? Probably not. But it is enough to make them regret their actions for the rest of their lives, as was the case for most GI's who killed Germans. Enough to give them nightmares or PTSD.

We're talking about human physiology. Flight or fight response.

I recall one Seal Team 6 member saying on television that he knew it was time to get out when he stopped getting an adrenaline rush in firefights. So even the most disciplined, and battle hardened soldiers suffer the same human response as everybody else.

Also keep in mind, you're really getting into the realm of psychology with melee battles, as there are factors such as crowd mechanics to consider.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Who_concert_disaster

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 I am a former soldier, who served in combat, and I would NEVER have gone over the top. No way. And yet they still did it. Why?

They didn't value life any more or less than you did.  They did it because the men next to them were doing it.  If your entire company was enlisted for a suicidal mission, would you abandon them?  

Robert the Bruce: I respect what you said, but remember that these men have lands and castles. It's much to risk.
William Wallace: And the common man, who bleeds on the battlefield, does he risk less?

Let's keep in mind that they didn't have simulators, video games, or movies. No amount of culture or swinging with wooden swords would prepare them for the realities of combat.