08-05-2010, 11:15 PM
More than once, Caesar wrote that he would hold an officer's meeting the night before and explain what he wanted to happen in detail. The centurions, generals, etc., would argue their various positions, and the decisions would be made.
No doubt, the centurions would know what they were to do. [I'm making this signal up] "When we hear two long blasts of the horns, and four short", then our cohort is to __________" And the same command might possibly mean something different to another cohort. For example, I read one writer's report of a battle which had the center of the line fall back, drawing the attackers in, then the ranks on both sides turned and destroyed the now trapped enemy. If I'm not mistaken, it was a Pompey vs. somebody battle. We know there were trumpet commands. We know the soldiers were wont to rally to a signum, for example, and Caesar mentioned some kind of [unknown] signal from the standard's motion.
The rest is utterly unknown details, which I submit can be simulated with something simple and recognizable, such as Rusty's bugle/cornicen/tuba signals.
No doubt, the centurions would know what they were to do. [I'm making this signal up] "When we hear two long blasts of the horns, and four short", then our cohort is to __________" And the same command might possibly mean something different to another cohort. For example, I read one writer's report of a battle which had the center of the line fall back, drawing the attackers in, then the ranks on both sides turned and destroyed the now trapped enemy. If I'm not mistaken, it was a Pompey vs. somebody battle. We know there were trumpet commands. We know the soldiers were wont to rally to a signum, for example, and Caesar mentioned some kind of [unknown] signal from the standard's motion.
The rest is utterly unknown details, which I submit can be simulated with something simple and recognizable, such as Rusty's bugle/cornicen/tuba signals.
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
