Republican Army

[Dan Diffendale]

Of interest is the loose order formation that he also puts the hastati and principes in, and not regimented rank and file. They are still in groups of maniples but not in strict lines. The Triarii are in formal rank and file, albeit in fewer numbers.

The formal ordering of the triarii makes sense coupled with Rob's idea that they maintained the hoplite shield.

Etruscan sculpture of the late 2nd Century BC still shows the clipeus, while otherwise depicting modern equipment. This would suggest that before 211 the triarii still used the hoplite shield and thus must have been composed of men of the first class exclusively.

(from http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... 8277#98277 )