03-19-2006, 08:16 PM
Good point, but not easy to accomplish when you'd try to synchronise is for all weapons. Maybe with trumpet (cornu, lituus) signals?
On the other hand, the front line could throw their volleys relatively 'coordinated' when most would throw on command. No, we have no idea what that command was or who was actually throwing. The front lines seem to have been far too closely together to have the room to throw their pplumbatae (overhead or underarm). Either all troops were standing much much further apart (but then how could they ever close up again - each soldier would need metres space for himself) or just the front line was throwing. I can't see a system of lines changing from back to front, running back after throwing. That would create havoc and an imbalanced front.
The best I can come up with was that possibly:
a) the front lines could throw and received ever mopre plumbatae from the ranks behind them, who would carry up to 5 in their shields, or/and
b) the light infantry would keep up a constant rate of fire from behind the lines of heavy infantry, harassing the enemy all through the engagement. They would be carrying plumbatae in leather cases/quivers.
On the other hand, the front line could throw their volleys relatively 'coordinated' when most would throw on command. No, we have no idea what that command was or who was actually throwing. The front lines seem to have been far too closely together to have the room to throw their pplumbatae (overhead or underarm). Either all troops were standing much much further apart (but then how could they ever close up again - each soldier would need metres space for himself) or just the front line was throwing. I can't see a system of lines changing from back to front, running back after throwing. That would create havoc and an imbalanced front.
The best I can come up with was that possibly:
a) the front lines could throw and received ever mopre plumbatae from the ranks behind them, who would carry up to 5 in their shields, or/and
b) the light infantry would keep up a constant rate of fire from behind the lines of heavy infantry, harassing the enemy all through the engagement. They would be carrying plumbatae in leather cases/quivers.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)