05-28-2013, 08:56 PM
Francesco,
Good post. One observation: Could the wedges that Frontinus describes simply be normal formations of maniples, operating in open order, at a distance from each other (gaps)? If the Roman line isn't constant (as the sources indicate), then each formation would serve as a wedge to break into the enemy line (which is nearly continuous).
Diverting the thread somewhat, here is the full text of Frontinus 2:3.20:
"When Perseus, king of the Macedonians, had drawn up a double phalanx of his own troops and had placed them in the centre of his forces, with light-armed troops on each side and cavalry on both flanks, Paulus in the battle against him drew up a triple array in wedge formation, sending out skirmishers every now and then between the wedges. Seeing nothing accomplished by these tactics, he determined to retreat, in order by this feint to lure p121the enemy after him on to rough ground, which he had selected with this in view. When even then the enemy, suspecting his ruse in retiring, followed in good order, he commanded the cavalry on the left wing to ride at full speed past the front of the phalanx, covering themselves with their shields, in order that the points of the enemy's spears might be broken by the shock of their encounter with the shields. When the Macedonians were deprived of their spears, they broke and fled."
What are some opinions about the idea of the cavalry breaking the spear points with their shields down the entire line of the phalanx? Me thinks this could have been an isolated innocent or an example of the telephone game, as Frontinus lived two centuries after the battle. Embellished or just fiction? Is this even possible?
Good post. One observation: Could the wedges that Frontinus describes simply be normal formations of maniples, operating in open order, at a distance from each other (gaps)? If the Roman line isn't constant (as the sources indicate), then each formation would serve as a wedge to break into the enemy line (which is nearly continuous).
Diverting the thread somewhat, here is the full text of Frontinus 2:3.20:
"When Perseus, king of the Macedonians, had drawn up a double phalanx of his own troops and had placed them in the centre of his forces, with light-armed troops on each side and cavalry on both flanks, Paulus in the battle against him drew up a triple array in wedge formation, sending out skirmishers every now and then between the wedges. Seeing nothing accomplished by these tactics, he determined to retreat, in order by this feint to lure p121the enemy after him on to rough ground, which he had selected with this in view. When even then the enemy, suspecting his ruse in retiring, followed in good order, he commanded the cavalry on the left wing to ride at full speed past the front of the phalanx, covering themselves with their shields, in order that the points of the enemy's spears might be broken by the shock of their encounter with the shields. When the Macedonians were deprived of their spears, they broke and fled."
What are some opinions about the idea of the cavalry breaking the spear points with their shields down the entire line of the phalanx? Me thinks this could have been an isolated innocent or an example of the telephone game, as Frontinus lived two centuries after the battle. Embellished or just fiction? Is this even possible?
