05-22-2013, 11:55 AM
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I agree with this description , expecially regarding the maniples extending their front before or even during the melee. The problem is to understend in wich formation they deployed before the clash. Maybe this formation could be a sort of acies quadrata described by Vegetius ( see picture 1), obtained closing the files ( not the ranks!) of an ordo duplex, or open formation ( see picture 2)...
I don't necessarily agree with the maniples 'extending' their front simply because that just isn't possible across the battle line - nor does it make sense. However, the second picture you show is exactly what I'm thinking of representing the individual soldier-level version of the 'quincunx' and shows the intermediate step (just like teaching drill by the numbers) to allowing lanes for the velites to deploy (or anyone else to pass) - the only thing it needs is for the picture to be six ranks deep rather than three.
Some of this, however, now belongs in the 'other' thread - and if the Mods desire they could move....... :wink:
