08-22-2002, 08:23 PM
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I am reviewing on of the references kindly recommended to me by Sander called The Roman Art of War by C.M. Gilliver. Citing excerpts from Pseudo-Hyginus and Vegetius the author offers a different method of using the prefabricated Valli, the narrow waisted stakes carried by the legionaires to fortify their encampments. Rather than using them to form a fence along the camp ramparts Dr. Gilliver states that three valli would be attached together by tying them at the narrow waist into a giant caltrop. These caltrops would be placed in a row along the top of the turf rampart and in a second row on the enemy side of the ditch.<br>
<br>
On the face of it this would appear to be a much more logical and effective use of the valli. It seems that they would form a weak fence depending on the materiel excavated during the ditch digging and the actual length of the valli buried as well as forming an indifferent palisade due to the short length and small circumference of the stakes. It also seems that using them in the caltrop method gives more coverage for the given number of stakes, that is 3 stakes used to form a caltrop covers more rampart length than 3 stakes placed side by side. It would seem that even considering two rows of caltrops that 6 stakes of two caltrops placed one behind the other still cover more rampart length than 6 stakes places side by side. If the caltrops were tied together they would be even more effective since pulling on them by hand or by grappling hooks would merely rotate the caltrops closer, on the other hand the valli palisade would appear to be very vulnerable to being pulled down, moreso by grappling hook then by hand.<br>
<br>
Do any of the re-enactors here have field experience with the two methods that they can provide input on this issue?<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
I am reviewing on of the references kindly recommended to me by Sander called The Roman Art of War by C.M. Gilliver. Citing excerpts from Pseudo-Hyginus and Vegetius the author offers a different method of using the prefabricated Valli, the narrow waisted stakes carried by the legionaires to fortify their encampments. Rather than using them to form a fence along the camp ramparts Dr. Gilliver states that three valli would be attached together by tying them at the narrow waist into a giant caltrop. These caltrops would be placed in a row along the top of the turf rampart and in a second row on the enemy side of the ditch.<br>
<br>
On the face of it this would appear to be a much more logical and effective use of the valli. It seems that they would form a weak fence depending on the materiel excavated during the ditch digging and the actual length of the valli buried as well as forming an indifferent palisade due to the short length and small circumference of the stakes. It also seems that using them in the caltrop method gives more coverage for the given number of stakes, that is 3 stakes used to form a caltrop covers more rampart length than 3 stakes placed side by side. It would seem that even considering two rows of caltrops that 6 stakes of two caltrops placed one behind the other still cover more rampart length than 6 stakes places side by side. If the caltrops were tied together they would be even more effective since pulling on them by hand or by grappling hooks would merely rotate the caltrops closer, on the other hand the valli palisade would appear to be very vulnerable to being pulled down, moreso by grappling hook then by hand.<br>
<br>
Do any of the re-enactors here have field experience with the two methods that they can provide input on this issue?<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
