08-03-2004, 04:17 PM
Quote:</em></strong><hr>Even the early romans used phalanxs but the use of missiles and individualism was there from the start. In this sense the roman manipular system did not really evolve from greek fighting (influence yes, direct descendancy no). Its flavor was closer to the gaulic/germanic warrior mystique of fighting than the Greek Hoplitic one already very specialized (Classic) when Rome was still fighting other Latin tribes, Samnites etc.<hr><br>
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A strong possibility for the origin of the Roman manipular system is adoption from the Samnites, whose mountainous terrain made the phalanx ineffective. The use of missiles and individualism certainly fit this model. I'm less inclined to believe in much Gallic influence... adoption of Samnite and Italic weapons and armor (<em>ergo</em> Samnite fighting styles) rather than Gallic ones argues against it.<br>
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Caesar does use the term "phalanx" when referring to a formation of the Helvetii in Book I of De Bello Gallico. Not sure if and when other Gallic tribes etc. are described in this manner.<br>
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A strong possibility for the origin of the Roman manipular system is adoption from the Samnites, whose mountainous terrain made the phalanx ineffective. The use of missiles and individualism certainly fit this model. I'm less inclined to believe in much Gallic influence... adoption of Samnite and Italic weapons and armor (<em>ergo</em> Samnite fighting styles) rather than Gallic ones argues against it.<br>
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Caesar does use the term "phalanx" when referring to a formation of the Helvetii in Book I of De Bello Gallico. Not sure if and when other Gallic tribes etc. are described in this manner.<br>
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Dan Diffendale
Ph.D. candidate, University of Michigan
Ph.D. candidate, University of Michigan
