08-07-2013, 04:06 AM
Quote: - In the Romans case, we also know that they could replace entire centuries and maniples (let alone having allowed velites to pass through) with ones behind, the movement happening one way or another (either advancing or withdrawing), either between files or by whole sub-units - the detail is not in fact described anywhere as far as I know
Here are the descriptions I have found (so far) of maniples or light infantry falling back through — or being absorbed into — the rear formation's files:
Livius 8.8.12 : Triarii consurgentes, ubi in intervalla ordinum suorum principes et hastatos recepissent, extemplo compressis ordinibus velut claudebant vias, unoque continenti agmine iam nulla spe post relicta in hostem incidebant; (The Triarii rising up, after receiving the principes and spearmen into the intervals between their ranks, immediately closing their files, shut up as it were the openings, and in one compact body fell upon the enemy)
8.10.5: ubi triarii consurrexerunt integri refulgentibus armis, noua ex improuiso exorta acies, receptis in interualla ordinum antepilanis (When the Triarii arose, fresh as they were, with their arms glittering, a new line which appeared unexpectedly, receiving the antepilani into the intervals between the files)
38.26.8: consul iam per se turbatis si legionum signa ostendisset, versuros extemplo in fugam omnes ratus receptis inter ordines velitibus et alia turba auxiliorum aciem promovit. (The consul, thinking that if he disclosed the standards of the legions to an enemy already disorganized on its own account they would all at once turn to flight, received within his files the skirmishers and the rest of the throng of auxiliaries and moved forward his battle-line.)
33.9.1 Quinctius iis qui in proelio fuerant inter signa et ordines acceptis tuba dat signum. (Quinctius absorbed into his files and among the standards the men who had already been engaged and gave the signal with the trumpet.)
Frontinus, Stratagamata, 2.3.10 & 11: Xanthippus Lacedaemonius in Africa adversus M. Atilium Regulum levem armaturam in prima acie conlocavit, in subsidio autem robur exercitus praecepitque auxiliaribus, ut emissis telis cederent hosti et, cum se intra suorum ordines recepissent, confestim in latera discurrerent et a cornibus rursus erumperent; exceptumque iam hostem a robustioribus et ipsi circumierunt. 11 Sertorius idem in Hispania adversus Pompeium fecit. (Xanthippus, the Spartan, in the campaign conducted in Africa against Marcus Atilius Regulus, placed his light-armed troops in the front line, holding the flower of his army in reserve. Then he directed the auxiliary troops, after hurling their javelins, to give way before the enemy, withdraw within the ranks of their fellow-soldiers, hurry to the flanks, and from there again rush forward to attack. Thus when the enemy had been met by the stronger troops, they were enveloped also by these light-armed forces. 11 Sertorius employed the same tactics in Spain in the campaign against Pompey.)
(Note: In the above Latin passages the word ordines is sometimes translated as ranks and sometimes as files; the word actually means something closer to "rows" and could mean ranks or files depending on the context; some translators are not always careful with this distinction. The formations in the above cases would be in open order, which would create a 3 foot wide empty interval or "lane" between each file through which the troops being relieved could easily move through without disrupting or jostling the formation of the relieving unit.)
