08-21-2003, 03:08 PM
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As for this popular belief, that Germans were better in single combat, I think the root of this is that Romans used Germans as auxiliaries, as scirmishers (mounted and not). Scirmish is usually considered to be closer to one-on-one combat than other kinds of fighting.<br>
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I personally don't see any logic in thinking so.<br>
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Sorry, but can't remember exactly what Roman author I read it in, but remember it was early principate: In short - some Roman emperor (was it Nero?) was eager to stage beautiful gladiator games and gave gladiators to be trained personally to certain Roman centurions. The meaning and the context was that they were most fitted to teach them combat skills. He didn't give units, the emperor gave individual gladiators, so I got that it was for training sort of one-on-one combat. Definitely not for wall-of-shields sort of fighting.<br>
The point of my remembering it is that the emperor didn't give gladiators to Germans. Though I am sure there were a lot of these guys nearby. I suppose it was because Romans themselves didn't have any ellusions about Germanic fighting abilities.<br>
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Regards,<br>
<br>
warrior11<br>
<img src="http://www.chathome.com.ua/smile/182.gif" style="border:0;"/><br>
<p></p><i></i>
As for this popular belief, that Germans were better in single combat, I think the root of this is that Romans used Germans as auxiliaries, as scirmishers (mounted and not). Scirmish is usually considered to be closer to one-on-one combat than other kinds of fighting.<br>
<br>
I personally don't see any logic in thinking so.<br>
<br>
Sorry, but can't remember exactly what Roman author I read it in, but remember it was early principate: In short - some Roman emperor (was it Nero?) was eager to stage beautiful gladiator games and gave gladiators to be trained personally to certain Roman centurions. The meaning and the context was that they were most fitted to teach them combat skills. He didn't give units, the emperor gave individual gladiators, so I got that it was for training sort of one-on-one combat. Definitely not for wall-of-shields sort of fighting.<br>
The point of my remembering it is that the emperor didn't give gladiators to Germans. Though I am sure there were a lot of these guys nearby. I suppose it was because Romans themselves didn't have any ellusions about Germanic fighting abilities.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
warrior11<br>
<img src="http://www.chathome.com.ua/smile/182.gif" style="border:0;"/><br>
<p></p><i></i>
