[split] Psychology of the Roman soldier

[JaM]

1. reason behind Census was to levy men for military service.. they only allowed those who had certain amount of wealth, as they had something to lose and therefore would defend the Rome appropriately.

2. you are contradicting yourself now, as it was you who said they would attack without taking own protection into account. i said otherwise. yet you still claim i was wrong...

3.Parma shields were used by "those before the flags"... Velites were quite commonly mentioned to participate in duels where they challenged enemy individuals to fight in front of the armies before battle... plus, velites used standard swords, helmets.. they were capable in close combat.. they were supposed to fight together with cavalry when needed to provide them with infantry support... Parma shield is commonly mentioned to be superior to CELTIC Thureos (Battle of Tellamon), to provide more protection and being more sturdy. (besides, Vikings used very similar shields in close combat centuries later)

4. Caetras were as well used quite commonly by plethora of melee fighters among Iberian tribes, not only skirmishers... lets not forget Roman historians even calling Macedonian Phalangites at Pydna "Caetrati"....