06-05-2014, 01:18 PM
Ammianus gives a number of accounts of both the Romans and their various 'barbarian' opponents being in wedge formation (cuneus). The barbarian tribes also used a variant which Ammianus described as 'dense columns'
Several uses of the Wedge/Dense Column appear to have been successful in Ammianus, the Alamanni at Argentoratum appear to have used it to smash through the Roman front line before crashing into the Primani legion behind who then routed the barbarians. Another instance was the Goths at Ad Salices who attacked one section of the line with fire hardened clubs, much as Vegetius said a wedge should do.
Several uses of the Wedge/Dense Column appear to have been successful in Ammianus, the Alamanni at Argentoratum appear to have used it to smash through the Roman front line before crashing into the Primani legion behind who then routed the barbarians. Another instance was the Goths at Ad Salices who attacked one section of the line with fire hardened clubs, much as Vegetius said a wedge should do.
Adrian Coombs-Hoar
