10-24-2006, 04:10 PM
Quote:[...]Sure, the soldiers could handle the mules on the march, but then who would handle them when the soldiers are off fighting? Modern armies, which have no slaves, servants or civilians accompanying them, have a very large percentage of support troops.
Also, we keep hearing about non-combatants. I find it very hard to believe that you can have half your army doing nothing while marching, and the other half doing nothing while the battle is raging. That cuts your logistical supply in half right there for no good reason. If you can hold a spear, you're a fighter. I have never read in any ancient source, about what happened to the supposed thousands of non-combatants in the enemy camp when a battle was won. "Um.. Hi. We're non-combatants, and um.. we'll just be going home now since we lost and all. Congrats on the victory." I have read many times in those sources of the need to keep soldiers busy to prevent various kinds of trouble from them. I think the average soldier could handle driving a mule cart. It sure beats marching!
drsrob a.k.a. Rob Wolters
