07-10-2013, 06:59 PM
My own opinion is that the system shown in the TV show "Rome", while it looks cool and organized, and disciplined, could never have worked. Even assuming the whole unit could hear the "whistle" or whatever other signal was being used, it still requires the man in the front line to break off contact. Is his barbarian opponent going to stop his axe mid-swing to allow the rotation?
Ammianus Marcellinus describes the battle of Andrianople thusly:
Then the two lines of battle dashed against each other, like the beaks of ships, and thrusting with all their might, were tossed to and fro, like the waves of the sea.
It would seem much more, dare I say, logical, that unit relief would occur when one of the "waves" was pushed back and the enemy regrouping?
Ammianus Marcellinus describes the battle of Andrianople thusly:
Then the two lines of battle dashed against each other, like the beaks of ships, and thrusting with all their might, were tossed to and fro, like the waves of the sea.
It would seem much more, dare I say, logical, that unit relief would occur when one of the "waves" was pushed back and the enemy regrouping?
There are some who call me ......... Tim?
