05-30-2013, 06:26 PM
In matter of Lawrence Keppie: he explain this idea in his book "The making of Roman Army". I don't know if it is available on the web, but it is pretty famous, so you should be able to find it in an accademic library...
The idea of the survival of a (real) distinction between hastati principi and pilani is interesting... a good starting point could be to find the text of the Rutilia Rufa law, wich introduced the gladiatorial training for soldiers (105 BC)... I think this two things are connected.
The actual reference is II,25,2 De Bello Gallico.
Mark wrote
Ahh, no not "only" - I think the maniples/centuries fought shield-to-shield to resist the phalanx and at any time it was necessary to 'hold the line'; but opening up to 1 pace (the length of the swordarm) apart (just like we do in normal drill today and for 100's of years (if not 1,000s!)) is a normal part of their drill too and could certainly be used if the situation warranted.
well, then we are in agreement
The idea of the survival of a (real) distinction between hastati principi and pilani is interesting... a good starting point could be to find the text of the Rutilia Rufa law, wich introduced the gladiatorial training for soldiers (105 BC)... I think this two things are connected.
The actual reference is II,25,2 De Bello Gallico.
Mark wrote
Ahh, no not "only" - I think the maniples/centuries fought shield-to-shield to resist the phalanx and at any time it was necessary to 'hold the line'; but opening up to 1 pace (the length of the swordarm) apart (just like we do in normal drill today and for 100's of years (if not 1,000s!)) is a normal part of their drill too and could certainly be used if the situation warranted.
well, then we are in agreement
Francesco Guidi
