"Pre-Modern Battlefields Were Absolutely Terrifying (2015)" Topic

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Of the many books and articles published explaining the tactical mechanics of ancient and medieval warfare, none have influenced my views on the topic more than a short article by Philip Sabin titled "The Face of Roman Battle." In this article Sabin attempts to draw an accurate description of the way a Roman legion and its maniples actually worked on the battlefield.

An interesting read.

Very interesting indeed; thanks for posting. It seems these descriptions of ancient battle as Sabin as described them are now widely accepted, so did Sabin break ground on these theories, or is he just the latest to reinforce them (I cannot access the actual article)?

I thought the video was most instructive. There is an interesting parellel in the movie "The Seven Samurai" when towards the beginning of the film, the humble master duelist kills his arrogant challenger in one blow. Anyone who has seen Kendo in action would realize, sans armor, most of the blows landed are (or would be were the swords real) immediatley incapacitating, ending combat, as Sabin mentioned, in mere seconds.

Again, thanks for posting.

Makes sense from the human perspective. The Romans advantage in discipline and small unit leadership could be decisive in the type of close hand to hand combat described. Advance the legions!