07-24-2007, 11:52 PM
It would seem we have opened a Pandora's box on this interesting subject, Robert !!
I think we should leave the whole subject of Hoplite fighting to another thread in the appropriate forum, at least for now !! :?
As to Germans 'pushing', are we not agreed that the Alemanni are using these pushing/knee-into-the-shield tactics individually/in small groups in an effort to break into or through the Roman lines ? Ammianus :"...and some of the most skilful warriors among the savages by the pressure of their knees tried to force their enemy back;......"
On a cautionary note, after several hundred years of warfare, and service by many in the Roman Army, we would expect German tribesmen to have a good grasp of Roman methods/tactics - and this is evidenced by the adoption of much Roman military equipment (and vice versa) so we might expect them to be more disciplined than in 'the good old days'!
I think we should leave the whole subject of Hoplite fighting to another thread in the appropriate forum, at least for now !! :?
As to Germans 'pushing', are we not agreed that the Alemanni are using these pushing/knee-into-the-shield tactics individually/in small groups in an effort to break into or through the Roman lines ? Ammianus :"...and some of the most skilful warriors among the savages by the pressure of their knees tried to force their enemy back;......"
On a cautionary note, after several hundred years of warfare, and service by many in the Roman Army, we would expect German tribesmen to have a good grasp of Roman methods/tactics - and this is evidenced by the adoption of much Roman military equipment (and vice versa) so we might expect them to be more disciplined than in 'the good old days'!
"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