12-11-2013, 06:19 PM
Mark,
We can invent all the theories we want, but at the end of the day Polybius is very clear about how Roman infantry fought in open order, and he was there. He gives a number of hints as to why a Macedonian phalanx did not just run over the Roman line.
Do you have any evidence whether a Polybian scutum was 2.5 feet wide measured over the hollow of the shield, or 2.5 feet wide measured along the face of the shield? I believe that the Fayum scutum is 63.5 cm wide by the former measure.
We can invent all the theories we want, but at the end of the day Polybius is very clear about how Roman infantry fought in open order, and he was there. He gives a number of hints as to why a Macedonian phalanx did not just run over the Roman line.
Do you have any evidence whether a Polybian scutum was 2.5 feet wide measured over the hollow of the shield, or 2.5 feet wide measured along the face of the shield? I believe that the Fayum scutum is 63.5 cm wide by the former measure.
Nullis in verba
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
