09-17-2022, 04:33 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-19-2022, 03:29 AM by Sean Manning.
Edit Reason: added last three clauses, added second paragraph
)
You have made this claim on social media before. What is your basis for claiming that 8 to 16 cubits is wrong but 8 to 12 cubits is right? Polybius was a soldier, he knew how long sarissae were, and I think 15' to 18' (roughly 10 to 12 cubits) was common in 16th and 17th century Europe. So Polybius' 14 cubits is not so much bigger.
There are things I disagree with Polybius about, but when I say I disagree I try to back that with as much evidence as possible. Its hard to envision how anyone could ever show that 14 cubits is 'wrong' without a time machine. Those early modern pikes often varied in length within a single group of pikemen (Sir John Smythe compared them to organ pipes).
There are things I disagree with Polybius about, but when I say I disagree I try to back that with as much evidence as possible. Its hard to envision how anyone could ever show that 14 cubits is 'wrong' without a time machine. Those early modern pikes often varied in length within a single group of pikemen (Sir John Smythe compared them to organ pipes).
Nullis in verba
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
