08-20-2003, 01:39 AM
@Warrior 11<br>
<br>
Legions encamping had half their men working, half standing guard didn't they? so initially could only fight at half strength.<br>
<br>
Foragers suffer when ambushed because they are not expecting to fight, are often dispersed (so the fights are not 1:1, they are 1:man with the 1 being the forager) or carrying forage that they have to drop.<br>
<br>
Neither situation supports any conclusion on the fitness of the Roman legionary for 1:1 fighting.<br>
<br>
similarly ambushes such as Tuterberger wald - the Romans were not expecting to fight initially, and when deserted by their guides and erstwhile allies were lost and terrified - again the morale aspects are far more important than the physical ones IMO.<br>
<br>
contrast this with the Roman swrodsmen at Pydna who penetrated into the Macedonian phalanx and fought on their own at close quarters with the pikemen. <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Legions encamping had half their men working, half standing guard didn't they? so initially could only fight at half strength.<br>
<br>
Foragers suffer when ambushed because they are not expecting to fight, are often dispersed (so the fights are not 1:1, they are 1:man with the 1 being the forager) or carrying forage that they have to drop.<br>
<br>
Neither situation supports any conclusion on the fitness of the Roman legionary for 1:1 fighting.<br>
<br>
similarly ambushes such as Tuterberger wald - the Romans were not expecting to fight initially, and when deserted by their guides and erstwhile allies were lost and terrified - again the morale aspects are far more important than the physical ones IMO.<br>
<br>
contrast this with the Roman swrodsmen at Pydna who penetrated into the Macedonian phalanx and fought on their own at close quarters with the pikemen. <p></p><i></i>