08-06-2013, 06:27 PM
Quote:.............. you, Mark Hygate, .................. The enemy you face are members of the Helvetti tribe and are fighting with shield and spears in a phalanx like shield wall, many ranks deep......................I look forward to reading your response, it might explain your theories better.
Dear 'Bryan' - [and as per the Forum Rules I'd appreciate a proper name in your Sig as you almost seem to want to make it personal]
I may have time to do this one day - but it might not get what you want, so please feel free to re-set the scenario...
If they are fighting in phalanx, then I would happily speculate, but then it would be using anti-phalanx tactics (manipular/sawtooth tactics) and thus also wouldn't mean that the centuries have to stay in line.
If you want wild and woolly Celts with long swords and frightening charges, then that might get closer to what you want.
But none of that was/is to do with my organisational theory - it's simply been an interesting digression as various topics have come up around the century itself. That's not to say that I've not been diverted and am wondering if, when I have the time, that putting together a theoretical and speculative battle manual for the century/maniple and perhaps even cohort may be something to do later. However, I'm sure that more than one re-enactment group must already have one - that would be interesting to find out.
I have been taught and have taught drill myself - I have been trained and commanded and lead a platoon and company - so it might be interesting to try and write from a purely military and then historically-linked perspective and see if it can stand up to criticism.
Returning OT, however, I still have no concerns in considering rank-rotation as a potentially good idea (if you want to replace tired troops, however 'veteran' they might be) - if it's actually viable as stated. I'm now very interested in anything else Luca might be able to tell us first.
