[split] Distances between files and ranks

[Nathan Ross]

Here’s my answer.
Romans work in line of two men deep

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Looks fine to me too. Why only two deep though?

Michael J Taylor's similar graphic (on p.111 of his paper above) has a formation three men deep, which I suppose would fit with Josephus's march pattern, and maybe the 60-man century of the Republic.

Plus, as I mentioned above, Arrian specifies eight men deep. If the cohorts of the legion are drawn up in two lines, as Vegetius implies, that would make a formation of sixteen men deep, although presumably with gaps between the ranks, files and subunits!

Perhaps more likely, I would guess, would be a single line of cohorts eight men deep, with a strengthening reserve line of two cohorts (perhaps veterans?) at the centre. This would allow the cuneus to charge from the centre and the cohorts on the wings to follow in echelon.