03-21-2010, 11:57 AM
Plausible. The numbering of "companions" or "named men" may greatly exceed due to the shield-bearers, etc., following them. The eighteen could well have been more like a hundred. But we also must admit that only the eighteen may have been fully equipped and trained. In both ancient and modern armies, you'd have fully-ready front line units and soldiers and others, not quite so flush for battle, backing them up.
It's typical for us to refer to great men or great companies as defeating the whole of an enemy. We say Julius Caesar conquered Gaul, not his legions. It's an accepted convention.
It's typical for us to refer to great men or great companies as defeating the whole of an enemy. We say Julius Caesar conquered Gaul, not his legions. It's an accepted convention.
"Fugit irreparabile tempus" (Irrecoverable time glides away) Virgil
Ron Andrea
Ron Andrea