(Late) (Roman) Formations

[John Conyard]

Good troops should not rush into a gap, they stand stand and keep together. Not too unlike Caesar's men when charging against Pompey's line. They stopped, picked up their dressings and came on again.

But how many troops could stage a withdraw from one specific part of the line during a battle? I understand Phillip and his Macedonians could withdrawn entire units, but not part of a unit.

And if they were able to it just allows their fellows to be flanked. So it does seem pointless.

To address your other points you push with your body, fight with your right hand. It's easy enough.

On the approach you may stick a spearhead into my shield, and it will stay there. Better keep it for the close order stuff afterwards.

I can't source elephants but we did look at the cost of camels. There are costly to hire compared to horses, but I remember one of Graham's illustrations in Military Illustrated a few years back. I would like to try putting a Turkish saddle on a camel, strap the equipment to it, and just try it out. It's achievable, but the camel hire costs put me off.

And ...... our ballista will sink your Dutch barges 200m out.