07-20-2007, 05:44 PM
Hmm, we may actually nee those ballistas from the ships to open fire, or our onagers to knock your lines into the ground.
Or, but only if we're actually sweating, we'll send in the elephants that we hid in your rear a week ago. :twisted:
But seriously.
That sounds all very neat, and it sounds also like you would indeed win from inexperienced troops. However, if the other side is experienced as yours, they will probably do as much damage before your lines meet, and then have countermeasures to defeat your push. Such as, spears that kill the man in front when the pushing begins. Because if I'm correct, I fail to see how you can push and similtaniously fight with hasta or spatha. Would that not mean that before the lines are engaged and your push begins to count, your men are unprotected, save for the scutum? And a good opponent with a long hasta can do quite some damage if no one is aiming back at him.
Of course, that's not easily tested.
And I still see Paul's objection unanswered - if the opposite side uses a trick that lets part of your line in, but hold the rest, do they have the imagination to stand still and not push on? For if they do they're attacked from both sides and finished off.
Or, but only if we're actually sweating, we'll send in the elephants that we hid in your rear a week ago. :twisted:
But seriously.
That sounds all very neat, and it sounds also like you would indeed win from inexperienced troops. However, if the other side is experienced as yours, they will probably do as much damage before your lines meet, and then have countermeasures to defeat your push. Such as, spears that kill the man in front when the pushing begins. Because if I'm correct, I fail to see how you can push and similtaniously fight with hasta or spatha. Would that not mean that before the lines are engaged and your push begins to count, your men are unprotected, save for the scutum? And a good opponent with a long hasta can do quite some damage if no one is aiming back at him.
Of course, that's not easily tested.
And I still see Paul's objection unanswered - if the opposite side uses a trick that lets part of your line in, but hold the rest, do they have the imagination to stand still and not push on? For if they do they're attacked from both sides and finished off.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
