03-06-2015, 03:17 PM
Quote:As for the placement of the river in 60/61 AD, the Mole flows south on the far right flank of the front-line and directly against Box Hill, i.e. it would have protected the Roman right. The river does swing across in front of the Roman front-line but at a distance of approx. 1 km and, in this case, would hinder the tribespeople both in advance and retreat, i.e. Suetonius and his men might have viewed that as beneficial.The trouble with this is that Tacitus places some emphasis on the topographical features of the battlefield, i.e., the defile, the wood at the rear and the open plain to the front of the Roman position. If a river had been present to offer an advantage or detriment to either side, one might have expected him to have mentioned it. Also, a small river may present a minor obstacle in its pristine state but, after it has been churned up by the passage and re-passage of thousands of soldiers and animals, it becomes much more of a problem.
Michael King Macdona
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)