05-08-2011, 06:38 AM
first post so hi all.
on this subject of drill manuals. the post pointing out that there area no written manuals is a moot point, they may have just used training i've been a drill instructor and i hardly used the manual to teach, it won't have been much different for the roman army in any time period. centurians and other NCO types (sorry but not familar with correct military titles for early roman army) these men would train the troops in the same way they had been trainned if a formation was altered or new drills came in like wwith the use of horse wings then someone came up with it. trained one group to do it then they moved to the different units most likly teaching the senior ranks then in turn they would teach their own men on any changes. you don't need a actual manual because the manual would be in the minds of the men that carryout the drill itself. marching or combat drill is reaction to commands. be they vocal, musical or someone waving a flag.
i guess those troops of the 3rd centry onward may have needed written manuals as form the little i understand the shape and standing of the army altered alot but i could be mistaken.
so there is my first post, been reading this stuff for ages and this forst subject i felt the need to comment on. i hope i put my point across clearly other wise feel free to jump up and down and go "na na na your wrong.":-P
on this subject of drill manuals. the post pointing out that there area no written manuals is a moot point, they may have just used training i've been a drill instructor and i hardly used the manual to teach, it won't have been much different for the roman army in any time period. centurians and other NCO types (sorry but not familar with correct military titles for early roman army) these men would train the troops in the same way they had been trainned if a formation was altered or new drills came in like wwith the use of horse wings then someone came up with it. trained one group to do it then they moved to the different units most likly teaching the senior ranks then in turn they would teach their own men on any changes. you don't need a actual manual because the manual would be in the minds of the men that carryout the drill itself. marching or combat drill is reaction to commands. be they vocal, musical or someone waving a flag.
i guess those troops of the 3rd centry onward may have needed written manuals as form the little i understand the shape and standing of the army altered alot but i could be mistaken.
so there is my first post, been reading this stuff for ages and this forst subject i felt the need to comment on. i hope i put my point across clearly other wise feel free to jump up and down and go "na na na your wrong.":-P
Putting the heavy in to Heavy infantry.
