06-28-2014, 03:49 PM
I don't buy into the idea that in a triplex acies, the Triari line had to be the same width as the other two lines. Considering they were much further back in the formation and didn't move in battle to keep up (they knelt until they were called up), they didn't need to be the same length. If you planted them between the main battle line (hastati and principes) and between the camp, a thinner thin and shorter line could still screen the retreat of the former lines should things not go well, giving time to reinforce the camp or try to reorganize the retreating maniples into a cohesive unit capable of defending themselves in an semi organized manner. In warfare in general, reserve units are rarely the same size of the front line units in contact; the 2 up, 1 back rule is generally used for reserves.
Think of what I am describing as an equilateral triangle, with the base being the hastati and principes fighting lines and the vertex angle being the camp, with the Triari somewhere in between, at a position parallel to the base, but shorter in length. Below is a quick illustration to describe my point.
[attachment=10227]battleline.png[/attachment]
At Pharsalus, Caesar's third line (reserve) was made up of two cohorts, as his usual 4-3-3 formation was disrupted when he pulled one cohort in the third line from each legion to form a forth line protecting his right flank. With his front rank cohorts fighting four ranks deep, I don't see how two cohorts could cover down on the same territory that four cohorts covered.
IE. Reserve lines were shorter in length.
Think of what I am describing as an equilateral triangle, with the base being the hastati and principes fighting lines and the vertex angle being the camp, with the Triari somewhere in between, at a position parallel to the base, but shorter in length. Below is a quick illustration to describe my point.
[attachment=10227]battleline.png[/attachment]
At Pharsalus, Caesar's third line (reserve) was made up of two cohorts, as his usual 4-3-3 formation was disrupted when he pulled one cohort in the third line from each legion to form a forth line protecting his right flank. With his front rank cohorts fighting four ranks deep, I don't see how two cohorts could cover down on the same territory that four cohorts covered.
IE. Reserve lines were shorter in length.
