09-26-2014, 04:21 AM
Antonius wrote:
And were the principes originally the first line, since their name would suggest just that?
My research has the principes as being the first line, and eight ranks deep. Therefore, as far as I am concerned, Livy’s comment the earliest Roman formation had been similar to the Macedonian phalanx stands correct.
Antonius wrote:
Did the lines get changed, or just the names of the lines...?
Of those eight ranks, the last two ranks would be classified as the triarii. There are references to the triarii in Livy and Dionysius of the triarii guarding the camp before the introduction of the maniple legion. The maniple legion simply divided the principes from the triarii.
And were the principes originally the first line, since their name would suggest just that?
My research has the principes as being the first line, and eight ranks deep. Therefore, as far as I am concerned, Livy’s comment the earliest Roman formation had been similar to the Macedonian phalanx stands correct.
Antonius wrote:
Did the lines get changed, or just the names of the lines...?
Of those eight ranks, the last two ranks would be classified as the triarii. There are references to the triarii in Livy and Dionysius of the triarii guarding the camp before the introduction of the maniple legion. The maniple legion simply divided the principes from the triarii.
