Roman Army Drill

[Robert Vermaat]

it would be a good idea to look at the extensive footnoting beforehand. We used sources that very likely many of the readers of this meager post have never heard of. Some of the sources are not easily obtainable, some were from books that are available only to a few. One of our members has access to the Library of Congress, and was able to find books to reference that are very rare. It's not a perfect work, it's not intended to be a mandate to anyone, it's just a pretty well researched command set that can be backed up by ancient sources spanning six centuries or so. Anyone or any group who wants to use some other list is perfectly free to do so.

I can wholeheartedly agree with David. So far, it's the best I've seen around and it beats inventing Latin commands (Marcus Junkelmann) or translating modern command of the British army straight into latin (way too many groups in the past) by 100%. Now you might find some commands odd (I had my problems with oblique moves once) - fine - don't use them. But first read the arguments.

The only point you'd have to address is the material from Syrianus magister (formerly the Anonymus Byzantinus). Last time I read your Tactica it was still dated to the 6th century, but Philip Rance has (once more) conclusively re-dated it to the Middle Byzantine Period. That may not have to alter any conclusions mind you (Roman military traditions could easily span centuries), but still.

P. Rance, 'The Date of the Military Compendium of Syrianus Magister (formerly the Sixth-Century Anonymus Byzantinus)', Byzantinische Zeitschrift 100.2 (2007) 701-737:

The evidence upon which Kçchly and R
stow originally granted De Re Strategica a Justinianic date was never more than tissue-thin and has been left yet more threadbare by recent scholarship. This paper is intended to complement the insights of Baldwin, Lee and Sheppard, and Cosentino by identifying five additional dating criteria that are incongruent with a sixth-century date and more consistent with a middle Byzantine context.

I'd be happy to send you the pdf of the article if you want to read it.