06-08-2002, 05:58 AM
I think that there is a very important aspect of ancient warfare and Roman warfare in particular (since they were so incredibly good at it) that needs to be considered for this thread-- siege warfare.<br>
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During an lengthy and difficult siege, I think it's quite possible if not inevitable that legionaries develop psychological conditions similar to PTSD. Think about it-- during a siege, a legionary would be exposed, for quite a long time, to virtually all the elements of modern warfare which are, for lack of a better phrase, mentally destructive. There would be the same constant exposure to danger- While assaulting or building siege works, the enemy would be shooting missiles at you, just like during a modern artillery bombardment (without the explosions, of course, unless you're watching Gladiator). Even when you're sleeping in camp, legionaries would constantly have to be on gaurd because of the very real danger of a nighttime sally. And, just as in modern war, there is nowhere to run during a siege. Everyone has to sit there in the shadow of the enemy works until the city is razed.<br>
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I recently finished a very interesting book which deals with this subject in some detail-- "Ancient Siege Warfare," by Paul Bently Kern. I can provide publisher info and the ISBN if anyone is interested. <p></p><i></i>
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During an lengthy and difficult siege, I think it's quite possible if not inevitable that legionaries develop psychological conditions similar to PTSD. Think about it-- during a siege, a legionary would be exposed, for quite a long time, to virtually all the elements of modern warfare which are, for lack of a better phrase, mentally destructive. There would be the same constant exposure to danger- While assaulting or building siege works, the enemy would be shooting missiles at you, just like during a modern artillery bombardment (without the explosions, of course, unless you're watching Gladiator). Even when you're sleeping in camp, legionaries would constantly have to be on gaurd because of the very real danger of a nighttime sally. And, just as in modern war, there is nowhere to run during a siege. Everyone has to sit there in the shadow of the enemy works until the city is razed.<br>
<br>
I recently finished a very interesting book which deals with this subject in some detail-- "Ancient Siege Warfare," by Paul Bently Kern. I can provide publisher info and the ISBN if anyone is interested. <p></p><i></i>
