04-21-2019, 01:32 AM
For my part - whilst the overall thrust of the paper is conjectural, it is certainly plausible.
However, I do have to query a few of the early suppositions that act as a foundation.
Firstly, to charactise the Greek tactical methods (given that Rome seems to be happily thought of as a Greek/Trojan colony) as "primitive" is certainly far from the case. That the eventual Roman developments of: sword & shield drills; manipular tactics and the 'saw formation'; levels of training that subsequently became fully professional; the tactical use of cohorts; and standardised deployments that under-pinned even poor generals were certainly revolutionary rather than evolutionary like Philip of Macedon made with the development of pikes; the main issue is that the need for 'command ranks' at 'unit level' is endemic in the Greek Tactical Manual(s) and precursors of the 'centurions' and 'optios' (whatever they may be called prior to the application of the Roman 'centuriation' method to their Army as well as their political divisions and colony plans) are most certainly present. That the hoplite phalanx, let alone its later pike variant, is not 'primitive' is perhaps well confirmed by the later battles against Epirus; let alone that the idea to retreat behind a 'Triarii phalanx' is what the Romans plan to do if it became necessary for, perhaps, 400 years.
I would certainly suggest that men who have fought under a centurion (whether elected or selected; and under the earlier pre-professional system) who has then returned to his farm nearby; would naturally seek them out to discuss issues and perhaps seek their help in addressing them. That subsequent representation could well lead to more influence in local politics is then quite reasonable.
Lastly, the concept of 3 cavalry turma/troops (on the assumption that one man in 3 holds the others horses and they are not abandoned) dismounting 60 men who then form a 'fighting century' similar to hastati/principes or even a whole triarii maniple; is most probably something practised, although it would take some modest organisation in the heat of battle. If the horses are piqueted, then it may only be 2 turma that are needed to provide the 60. Other mixes could be considered...
However, I do have to query a few of the early suppositions that act as a foundation.
Firstly, to charactise the Greek tactical methods (given that Rome seems to be happily thought of as a Greek/Trojan colony) as "primitive" is certainly far from the case. That the eventual Roman developments of: sword & shield drills; manipular tactics and the 'saw formation'; levels of training that subsequently became fully professional; the tactical use of cohorts; and standardised deployments that under-pinned even poor generals were certainly revolutionary rather than evolutionary like Philip of Macedon made with the development of pikes; the main issue is that the need for 'command ranks' at 'unit level' is endemic in the Greek Tactical Manual(s) and precursors of the 'centurions' and 'optios' (whatever they may be called prior to the application of the Roman 'centuriation' method to their Army as well as their political divisions and colony plans) are most certainly present. That the hoplite phalanx, let alone its later pike variant, is not 'primitive' is perhaps well confirmed by the later battles against Epirus; let alone that the idea to retreat behind a 'Triarii phalanx' is what the Romans plan to do if it became necessary for, perhaps, 400 years.
I would certainly suggest that men who have fought under a centurion (whether elected or selected; and under the earlier pre-professional system) who has then returned to his farm nearby; would naturally seek them out to discuss issues and perhaps seek their help in addressing them. That subsequent representation could well lead to more influence in local politics is then quite reasonable.
Lastly, the concept of 3 cavalry turma/troops (on the assumption that one man in 3 holds the others horses and they are not abandoned) dismounting 60 men who then form a 'fighting century' similar to hastati/principes or even a whole triarii maniple; is most probably something practised, although it would take some modest organisation in the heat of battle. If the horses are piqueted, then it may only be 2 turma that are needed to provide the 60. Other mixes could be considered...
