(Late) (Roman) Formations

[Tarbicus]

clips are particularly valuable, and analysis of them is worthy of its own thread ! ( yes, I am aware of the dangers of taking analogies too far :lol: ) Still, seeing these violent clashes between armed masses is probably as close as we are likely to get to an ancient battle.

What strikes me about me the clips is there are two 'states' of formation; in combat, and in drill. Given the nature of the ground and the "enemy" (loathe to use that word), they don't behave as a mass of ancient Germans would in open field, simply because there's no space to do so. However, the G8 protest in an open field shows how both sides naturally extended their lines to face each other, which is why I posted that one, as well as showing an open order formation.

The Korean drill clearly illustrates to me that it is more than possible for deep spaces between the ranks to be effective. When the second rank swaps with the first they do so at the run, and I think that's the key. Their momentum alone carries them past the front rank and slams them into the opponents, and I think this tells a lot about the dynamics of close order battle. They couldn't repel the opponents completely, but it was very fast and gives credence to the whole idea that ancient armies could actually swap front ranks in a melee even when engagement was already taking place, without losing any advantage at all.

In actual battle I have a feeling, though, that in the later stages the front lines would be more like the first video I posted. But there's no reason to suppose that the second line of maniples/centuries/cohorts couldn't manouevre for relief and tactical purposes just as seen in the drill videos. Once in formation they could then move to engage the enemy (by either advancing very rapidly, and/or the front ranks retiring very rapidly), and could in fact completely change the nature of the battle and take the enemy by surprise. The Roman front could suddenly change from a disorganised near-scattered line to a tight and orderly frontage. Speed, momentum, surprise and confidence would be the key traits, and the changeover doesn't need to lose any ground at all. Replace the batons, poles and bricks for weapons, and the shields for scuta, and the videos become less analogous in my mind. If nothing more, they do at least demonstrate what's possible, and real behaviour when in peril, in large formations.