Use of whistles to relay commands in battle

[ParthianBow]

@Gary: thanks for the info regarding Chester.

@Mithras: I really enjoyed Wounds of Honour. I don't remember the soldiers gripping each other's belts in HBO Rome, but regardless of whether they did or not, it didn't seem out of place to me in Riches' book. Either way, it's not inconceivable.

@MDF: this is why I want one of your whistles! Will be emailing you - thanks for all the images.

I had no idea that this topic would arouse so much interest!

I would like to add that I have had most of the Roman orders directed by trumpet etc. I have only used whistles for the first command to charge/attack/respond to an enemy charge. In fact, I've used it so Spartacus can get his men all to rise up from ambush at the same time when attacking Varinius' forces. Now that's definitely a possibility in my mind, and there would be NO noise of battle to deaden the sound.