11-30-2018, 11:36 AM
"Chalk ridge would send Steve Kaye over the edge in terms of water supply"
Damn right!
Disclaimer - I haven't read the book, neither will I.
Nearest water supply (stream) sufficient to support 10k soldiers and 5k slaves+civilians plus beasts is c.4 km to the north - the direction the rebels are supposed to attack the Roman prepared positions. Other water supplies are over 8 km to the east and south.
There are springs and wells on the ridge but they would be drained within hours but the author has the army on the ridge for days preparing the ground and waiting for the rebels to gather and attack where Suetonius has decided it is where he wants them to.
Tactically Heydon is a non-starter and strategically it's bonkers.
Then again, it is a work of fiction; if it gave the author pleasure in the writing and readers likewise in the reading, then that is acceptable.
John, occasionally I do like rising to the bait - good effort - Tick.
Damn right!
Disclaimer - I haven't read the book, neither will I.
Nearest water supply (stream) sufficient to support 10k soldiers and 5k slaves+civilians plus beasts is c.4 km to the north - the direction the rebels are supposed to attack the Roman prepared positions. Other water supplies are over 8 km to the east and south.
There are springs and wells on the ridge but they would be drained within hours but the author has the army on the ridge for days preparing the ground and waiting for the rebels to gather and attack where Suetonius has decided it is where he wants them to.
Tactically Heydon is a non-starter and strategically it's bonkers.
Then again, it is a work of fiction; if it gave the author pleasure in the writing and readers likewise in the reading, then that is acceptable.
John, occasionally I do like rising to the bait - good effort - Tick.
