07-12-2007, 12:31 AM
Well spotted, Dave Bell !! Since the RAT site server has been down since last thursday, I spent a little time researching to find more "feats".
The one you recalled is in Caesar's Gallic Wars at VII.3. during the Gergovia campaign.The Aedui, a previuosly loyal tribe were persuaded to rebel and sent their army off to join Vercingetorix. Caesar was "much perturbed", and immediately set off with"four legions in light marching order and all the cavalry" , leaving a very reduced force to hold the camp.
Caesar tells us they marched 25 (roman) miles,23-24 english miles, 38 km, talked the Aedui out of rebelling, while the troops had 3 hours rest, then set off back to Gergovia. Halfway back they received a message that the camp was under attack, accelerated their pace, and arrived back in camp before sunrise !!
Thus 16-20,000 legionaries and cavalry (albeit in light order, like Nero's men) covered 50 (roman)miles, 47-48 English miles,76 km in less than 24 hours, resting 3 hours - i.e the actual march took less than 21 hours.
All the more impressive because, unlike Nero, Caesar's march was not on a good straight Roman road (for the most part), but on Gallic tracks/cross-country !
If this seems incredible, compare three other well-documented feats, all similar.
In 1809, in Spain, the British Light Brigade (light infantry) covered 42-45 miles in 26 hours, over mountainous terrain and scorching heat in an effort to reach the battle of Talavera ( but just missed it).
In the American Civil War, General Nathaniel Lyons regiment were dubbed"The Iowa Greyhounds" for covering 48 miles in under 24 hours !
In Sicily during 1943, a U.S army infantry battalion covered 56 miles(90 km) in 33hours over hilly terrain, cross-country !
The one you recalled is in Caesar's Gallic Wars at VII.3. during the Gergovia campaign.The Aedui, a previuosly loyal tribe were persuaded to rebel and sent their army off to join Vercingetorix. Caesar was "much perturbed", and immediately set off with"four legions in light marching order and all the cavalry" , leaving a very reduced force to hold the camp.
Caesar tells us they marched 25 (roman) miles,23-24 english miles, 38 km, talked the Aedui out of rebelling, while the troops had 3 hours rest, then set off back to Gergovia. Halfway back they received a message that the camp was under attack, accelerated their pace, and arrived back in camp before sunrise !!
Thus 16-20,000 legionaries and cavalry (albeit in light order, like Nero's men) covered 50 (roman)miles, 47-48 English miles,76 km in less than 24 hours, resting 3 hours - i.e the actual march took less than 21 hours.
All the more impressive because, unlike Nero, Caesar's march was not on a good straight Roman road (for the most part), but on Gallic tracks/cross-country !
If this seems incredible, compare three other well-documented feats, all similar.
In 1809, in Spain, the British Light Brigade (light infantry) covered 42-45 miles in 26 hours, over mountainous terrain and scorching heat in an effort to reach the battle of Talavera ( but just missed it).
In the American Civil War, General Nathaniel Lyons regiment were dubbed"The Iowa Greyhounds" for covering 48 miles in under 24 hours !
In Sicily during 1943, a U.S army infantry battalion covered 56 miles(90 km) in 33hours over hilly terrain, cross-country !
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
