10-31-2008, 08:37 PM
I see two major flaws with Crassus’s battle plan.
First: Crassus should have proceeded with caution against an un fought enemy, gathered as much info as possible, scout the hills for a way through that would counter the effects of horse arches, that they must have know existed in the Parthian army.
When Antony invaded, there were tribes in the hills that offered to show them paths that would lead them somewhat close to the main city without crossing such open land, (I think he chose not to use their help, I may be wrong)
Second: He should have proceeded as Julius Caesar did during some of the campaigns against the Gaul’s. At the foot of the hills build a camp to fall back on. Advance only far enough out, where if attacked and forced to withdraw, you can make it back to your camp. If not attacked, build another camp farther out. Keep moving and building until you reach you’re destination, the city.
If attacked head back to the camp. In the camp, the archers have to come to you, but now you have cover, and can send out your cavalry to break up the lightly armored horse archers, not the cataphracts. If the slower cataphracts do attack, which there’s not much they can do against men behind walls, the Roman’s could then charge out, with cavalry supports and attack the Cataphracts. Even with supplies of arrow being brought up, I doubt they had enough already prepared for a siege war, legions in fortified camps.
Attack, withdraw, attack, withdraw, move up, build a camp, then attack and withdraw.
There were tribes in the hills that didn’t like the Parthians. Use them, learn their battle knowledge against the Parthians, and use their men as support
This is a simplified battle plan, but you get the idea.
Now of course for this to work, there must be a good supply of food, else the archers will just wait you out.
Steve
First: Crassus should have proceeded with caution against an un fought enemy, gathered as much info as possible, scout the hills for a way through that would counter the effects of horse arches, that they must have know existed in the Parthian army.
When Antony invaded, there were tribes in the hills that offered to show them paths that would lead them somewhat close to the main city without crossing such open land, (I think he chose not to use their help, I may be wrong)
Second: He should have proceeded as Julius Caesar did during some of the campaigns against the Gaul’s. At the foot of the hills build a camp to fall back on. Advance only far enough out, where if attacked and forced to withdraw, you can make it back to your camp. If not attacked, build another camp farther out. Keep moving and building until you reach you’re destination, the city.
If attacked head back to the camp. In the camp, the archers have to come to you, but now you have cover, and can send out your cavalry to break up the lightly armored horse archers, not the cataphracts. If the slower cataphracts do attack, which there’s not much they can do against men behind walls, the Roman’s could then charge out, with cavalry supports and attack the Cataphracts. Even with supplies of arrow being brought up, I doubt they had enough already prepared for a siege war, legions in fortified camps.
Attack, withdraw, attack, withdraw, move up, build a camp, then attack and withdraw.
There were tribes in the hills that didn’t like the Parthians. Use them, learn their battle knowledge against the Parthians, and use their men as support
This is a simplified battle plan, but you get the idea.
Now of course for this to work, there must be a good supply of food, else the archers will just wait you out.
Steve
Steve
