07-23-2007, 06:08 AM
Very valid point about formations....Be it Spartans or a "locked-on" 18thcent firing line,once you are at that closest order,there's not much you can do but go forward...slowly....with constant dressing checks....
It doesn't help that,(as far as I know),we don't fully understand the Late Roman Sub-unit organisation....what 1000 men can't do,10 units of 100 probably can!
I quite agree about the danger of analogy.....But looking for close parellels may be the nearest we can get to working out how these things work!(or don't.....), I don't think real 17th Pike "pushed"....but the fact that modern re-enactors do may help in understanding the mechanics of such a combat at any period.
Steve
It doesn't help that,(as far as I know),we don't fully understand the Late Roman Sub-unit organisation....what 1000 men can't do,10 units of 100 probably can!
I quite agree about the danger of analogy.....But looking for close parellels may be the nearest we can get to working out how these things work!(or don't.....), I don't think real 17th Pike "pushed"....but the fact that modern re-enactors do may help in understanding the mechanics of such a combat at any period.
Steve