Reading Group--Caesar's Legion

[SHARK]

Greetings!

I find it particularly interesting to see the essential concepts of modern warfare present right there in Caesar's headquarters!

Think about it:

(1) "Blitzkrieg"--The use of combined operations; cavalry, infantry, support troops, even siege weapons and artillery, all working together to keep moving, and keep destroying the enemy.

(2) Rapid Flanking manuevers by cavalry or infantry. In both cases, the tactics and results are comparable to warfare today.

(3) The use of spies and Psy-Ops. Caesar uses spies, assassins, and many different forms of psychological warfare, ranging from deception, to mercy, intimidation, to death and terror. Caesar uses all such psychological tools to gain the outcome that he desires.

(4) Amphibious Warfare: Caesar uses Marines and ships in daring raids, supply operations, interdiction, as well as full scale invasions. Everything that we use today.

and more, from siege operations to higher levels of diplomacy and propaganda, Caesar has it all. In various elements, these things are present in other kingdoms, times, and individuals, of course, but it seems that it is all brought together in a seamless, well-oiled machine under Rome, and especially Caesar.

Just amazing!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

 

[Rashak Mani]

Funny I noticed the difference with modern warfare....

Fortification EVERY night... Armor even when digging... close formation in combat...

They always try to get to a good terrain before engaging enemy.

Romans seems very worried about defense and minimizing casualties.

 

[Luiz d'Artayn]

{delurk}

Keep it coming

I'm a rampant reader but not a book buyer (gotta watch the budget, etc). Local library has Caesar's Legion but it won't be back in circulation until the end of the month, so until then I am expecting this thread to keep me entertained and informed, mmmkay?

Of course, compared to the Roman Military *Machine* (because that's what it was), Middle Ages massed warfare was a good deal less efficient. Understandable really: "William the Conqueror invaded Britain with 9000 Normans" - surely one of the most confusing rolecalls of all time.

{relurk}

 

[mmadsen]

Chapter X -- A Taste of Defeat (continued)

Caesar keeps sending for Antony to bring reinforcements from Italy to Greece, but Antony never quite accepts the risk. Hence, this aprocryphal, almost mythic story:

But several classic authors tell the story -- not told by Caesar himself -- that he became so frustrated by Antony's failure to reinforce him, despite days and weeks of excellent sailing weather through the latter part of January and into February, that he had his servants hire a twelve-oared fishing boat to take him across to Italy so he could personally stir his subordinates into action. He then boarded the craft disguised as a slave. But soon after the boat began the voyage, the weather changed. As the crew prepared to turn back, Caesar revealed his true identity and urged the fishermen to continue on. But the weather grew steadily worse, and in the face of a howling gale Caesar was forced back to shore, after which he abandoned the idea of a covert trip to Italy.

 

[optimizer]

Howdy!

Of course, compared to the Roman Military *Machine* (because that's what it was), Middle Ages massed warfare was a good deal less efficient. Understandable really: "William the Conqueror invaded Britain with 9000 Normans" - surely one of the most confusing rolecalls of all time.

LOL -- I just wanted to say that this brought a smile to my face!

Mike

 

[Rashak Mani]

In Discovery Channel a program about the romans said, as far as amputations were concerned, the Romans were better than other armies until WW I. Before WWI amputations werent up to Roman standards !.

Field Dressing and Medics first became organized in Roman Legions.

 

[mmadsen]

In Discovery Channel a program about the romans said, as far as amputations were concerned, the Romans were better than other armies until WW I. Before WWI amputations werent up to Roman standards! Field Dressing and Medics first became organized in Roman Legions.

When you think about modern medicine, you have to realize it's only about a hundred years old, and aside from a few amazing discoveries (antibiotics, x-rays), it probably isn't up to the level of ancient Roman field medicine or ancient Greek sports medicine.

If you have centuries of armed conflict, with medics sewing up soldiers, or centuries of athletic competition, with trainers pulling dislocated shoulders back into joint, you build up an impressive pool of applied skills.

 

[mmadsen]

Chapter X -- A Taste of Defeat (continued)

As Antony's fleet of transports approached the coast near Durres, the squadron of Rhodian cruisers based their under Admiral Gaius Coponius came out after it. But the wind strengthened into a gale, and while most of Antony's ships found shelter in a cove three miles north of the town of Lissus, modern Alessio, sixteen of Admiral Coponius's cruisers were dashed to pieces on the rocky coast.

Wild.

In the middle of the night, the storm subsided. While Antony landed his troops north of Alessio and pulled Pompeian sailors and marines from the sea, two of his troopships that had ridden out the storm at anchor off Alessio now found themselves surrounded by burning torches on Pompeian small craft from the town. Weakened by seasickness and promised lenient treatment by Pompeian officers, 220 raw recruits of the 29th Legion aboard one ship surrendered. Disarmed, the Italian teenagers were taken ashore, where they were all summarily executed by the Pompeian commander at Alessio.

Eek! Maybe it's because raw recruits are worthless, but I'd've thought an enemy Roman commander would merge them into his existing force -- not promise them lenient treatment then execute them!

 

[Maldur]

breaking their word became a favorite passtime for roman officers. Maybe its because its a civilwar but kinda strange, you would think they had some honour? Isn't chivalry something that started in the roman empire?

 

[mmadsen]

breaking their word became a favorite passtime for roman officers.

I don't think there's anything peculiarly Roman about that. If anything, we simply expect more out of "civilized" military officers.