RomanArmyTalk › Research Arena › Roman Military History & Archaeology v
A question for the experts...

Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Threaded Mode
A question for the experts...
NightHunter24 Offline
Imaginifer
****
Posts: 199
Threads: 13
Joined: Apr 2003
Reputation: 0
#1
07-18-2006, 03:27 PM
Hi there,

I was the other day at Chinese History Forum and they were discussing the topic of Roman shield formations. I am familiar with the variation of the TESTVDO. Now they were actually talking about a shield wall formation. Did the Romans have a name for this?...and...what were the different shield formations that the Romans used? Thanks in advanced.


Smile
aka: Julio Peña
Quote:"audaces Fortuna iuvat"
- shouted by Turnus in Virgil\'s Aeneid in book X just before he is utterly destroyed by Aeneas\' Trojans.
Find
Reply
FAVENTIANVS Offline
Praefectus Castrorum
***
Posts: 2,032
Threads: 41
Joined: May 2002
Reputation: 0
#2
07-18-2006, 03:57 PM
I'm not an expert, but AFAIK:

Fulcum (foulkon) = anti cavalry spiked barrier http://www.fectio.org.uk/shows/2005archeonlitus8.jpg

Testudo= tortoise [Image: h3-gp-29h1f-3.jpg]

Cuneus = wedge [Image: romanj.jpg]

Aciem = single battle line [Image: roman_soldiers.jpg]
[Image: 120px-Septimani_seniores_shield_pattern.svg.png] [Image: Estalada.gif]
Ivan Perelló
[size=150:iu1l6t4o]Credo in Spatham, Corvus sum bellorum[/size]
Find
Reply
NightHunter24 Offline
Imaginifer
****
Posts: 199
Threads: 13
Joined: Apr 2003
Reputation: 0
#3
07-18-2006, 04:36 PM
Ave et gratias Faventiano!

Btw, nice pic with the FVLCVM formation...
aka: Julio Peña
Quote:"audaces Fortuna iuvat"
- shouted by Turnus in Virgil\'s Aeneid in book X just before he is utterly destroyed by Aeneas\' Trojans.
Find
Reply
FAVENTIANVS Offline
Praefectus Castrorum
***
Posts: 2,032
Threads: 41
Joined: May 2002
Reputation: 0
#4
07-18-2006, 10:32 PM
Thanks! I'm in there!! Big Grin
[Image: 120px-Septimani_seniores_shield_pattern.svg.png] [Image: Estalada.gif]
Ivan Perelló
[size=150:iu1l6t4o]Credo in Spatham, Corvus sum bellorum[/size]
Find
Reply
MARCvSVIBIvSMAvRINvS Offline
Praefectus Castrorum
***
Posts: 2,462
Threads: 93
Joined: Jun 2006
Reputation: 0
#5
07-19-2006, 09:03 PM
same here............ in the CvNEvS hehehehe

M.VIB.M.
Bushido wa watashi no shuukyou de gozaru.

Katte Kabuto no O wo shimeyo!

H.J.Vrielink.
Find
Reply
FAVENTIANVS Offline
Praefectus Castrorum
***
Posts: 2,032
Threads: 41
Joined: May 2002
Reputation: 0
#6
07-19-2006, 10:18 PM
Quote:same here............ in the CvNEvS hehehehe

M.VIB.M.
With the X Gemina?
[Image: 120px-Septimani_seniores_shield_pattern.svg.png] [Image: Estalada.gif]
Ivan Perelló
[size=150:iu1l6t4o]Credo in Spatham, Corvus sum bellorum[/size]
Find
Reply
MARCvSVIBIvSMAvRINvS Offline
Praefectus Castrorum
***
Posts: 2,462
Threads: 93
Joined: Jun 2006
Reputation: 0
#7
07-20-2006, 01:06 AM
The notorious X togetha with the guard......... yessssssssssssssssss

long time ago.......... hehehe but was a laugh!

M.VIB.M.
Bushido wa watashi no shuukyou de gozaru.

Katte Kabuto no O wo shimeyo!

H.J.Vrielink.
Find
Reply
Robert Vermaat Offline
Decurio Speculatorum
*******
Posts: 15,116
Threads: 415
Joined: Mar 2002
Reputation: 78
#8
07-22-2006, 03:40 PM
Actually, both 'testudo' and 'fulcum' are words that are used for more than one formation. The totally closed formations used in siege warfare, but also the 'shield wall' with the first 3 (or 4) lines closing shields, are referred to as testudo. same with the fulcum, with the exception though that I never heard of the fulcum as referring to the 'tortoise on the move'.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
Find
Reply
NightHunter24 Offline
Imaginifer
****
Posts: 199
Threads: 13
Joined: Apr 2003
Reputation: 0
#9
07-26-2006, 12:38 AM
Quote:Actually, both 'testudo' and 'fulcum' are words that are used for more than one formation. The totally closed formations used in siege warfare, but also the 'shield wall' with the first 3 (or 4) lines closing shields, are referred to as testudo. same with the fulcum, with the exception though that I never heard of the fulcum as referring to the 'tortoise on the move'.

Ave Vortigern!

Nice piece of info, just what I thought. May I quote you for the folks CHF? I'll provide a link to this thread...if it's OK.
aka: Julio Peña
Quote:"audaces Fortuna iuvat"
- shouted by Turnus in Virgil\'s Aeneid in book X just before he is utterly destroyed by Aeneas\' Trojans.
Find
Reply
Robert Vermaat Offline
Decurio Speculatorum
*******
Posts: 15,116
Threads: 415
Joined: Mar 2002
Reputation: 78
#10
07-28-2006, 09:24 PM
Quote:Ave Vortigern!
Nice piece of info, just what I thought. May I quote you for the folks CHF? I'll provide a link to this thread...if it's OK.

Be my guest!!
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
Find
Reply
NightHunter24 Offline
Imaginifer
****
Posts: 199
Threads: 13
Joined: Apr 2003
Reputation: 0
#11
07-29-2006, 05:50 PM
Hey thanks a million Vortigern! Smile

Now, was there a 'preferred method' of shield wall formation by the Romans or did they employ according to circumstances OR did this change as Roman civization went thru its changes? It's kind of a dumb question but there is always a bread and butter technique to every war band...so I'm just curious.
aka: Julio Peña
Quote:"audaces Fortuna iuvat"
- shouted by Turnus in Virgil\'s Aeneid in book X just before he is utterly destroyed by Aeneas\' Trojans.
Find
Reply


Forum Jump: