08-14-2006, 10:21 PM
Felix, James,
I still don't see the 'wagonburgh' coming into it. Sure, they may have defended their families, but for a major field battle it would not be used as a defense, I think. In fact, I think that fighting behind such an obstacle would be very unwise. Suppose the Romans had started burning it? The Goths would've been trapped.
Also, how many cavalry are we talking about? The Alans, Huns and Gothic cavalry managed to drive the Roman cavalry away (or at least initially one part), but I've never read anything about them dominating the battle afterwards. That part must go to the Gothic infantry.
So who did the killing? It must have been the infantry, mainly with missile weapons and heavy fighting with an increasingly tiring Roman force.
I still don't see the 'wagonburgh' coming into it. Sure, they may have defended their families, but for a major field battle it would not be used as a defense, I think. In fact, I think that fighting behind such an obstacle would be very unwise. Suppose the Romans had started burning it? The Goths would've been trapped.
Also, how many cavalry are we talking about? The Alans, Huns and Gothic cavalry managed to drive the Roman cavalry away (or at least initially one part), but I've never read anything about them dominating the battle afterwards. That part must go to the Gothic infantry.
So who did the killing? It must have been the infantry, mainly with missile weapons and heavy fighting with an increasingly tiring Roman force.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
