Reading Group--Caesar's Legion

[mmadsen]

Chapter XI -- The Battle of Pharsalus (continued)

As Caesar's cavalry chased Labienus and his troopers all the way to the hills, Pompey's left flank was exposed. With a cheer, Caesar's reserve cohorts spontaneously rushed forward to the attack in the wake of their victory over the cavalry.

Bad news for Pompey.

All that stood in their way were Pompey's archers and slingers....The slingers were armed merely with their sling-shots.

Major, major pet peeve here. The slingers were armed with slings. They're not sling-shots. David did not pull a sling-shot out of his overalls' pocket to kill Goliath. He wasn't one of the Little Rascals. Aarrgghh!

Sorry.

 

[mmadsen]

Chapter XI -- The Battle of Pharsalus (continued)

Now Caesar issued another order. His red banner dropped. The trumpets of the first and second infantry lines sounded "Charge."

I still love the imagery.

Ahead, to the surprise of Crastinus and his comrades, Pompey's front line didn't budge. Pompey's men were under orders to stand still and receive Caesar's infantry charge, instead of themselves charging at Caesar's running men, as was the norm in battles of the day. According to Caesar, this tactic had been suggested to Pompey by Gaius Triarius, one of his naval commanders. Pompey, lacking confidence in his infantry and anxious to give them an edge in the contest, had grabbed at the idea, which was intended to make Caesar's troops run twice as far as usual and so arrive out of breath at the Pompeian line.

It sounds pretty clever, frankly -- the kind of thing I'd expect Caesar to come up with. On the other hand...

Caesar was later scathing of the tactic. He was to write that the running charge fired men's enthusiasm for battle, and that general ought to encourage this, not repress it.

It may fire enthusiasm, but is there a strong advantage to charging on foot? Against archers and slingers it makes good sense -- you don't want to remain in their kill zone for long -- but infantry vs. infantry? There must be, since they always do charge...

In fact, Pompey's tactic did have something going for it, as his troops would present a solid barrier of interlocked shield against Caesar's puffing, disorderly men, who had to break formation to run to the attack. It may have been effective against inexperienced troops, but in the middle of the battlefield Centurion Crastinus and his fellow centurions of the first rank drew their charging cohorts to a halt. The entire charge came to a stop. For perhaps a minute the Caesarian troops paused in the middle of the wheat field, catching their breath; then, led by Crastinus, they resumed the charge with a mighty roar.

It seems that Pompey should have added one more element to his plan. Either time his own counter-charge to hit Caesar's men just as they run out of breath, or have sufficient archers and slingers on hand to barrage them as they try to cover twice the normal distance.

Maybe the archers and slingers would've pulled through for him if they hadn't been cut down moments earlier...

 

[mmadsen]

Chapter XI -- The Battle of Pharsalus (continued)

SHARK already quoted this passage, but it's good:

Crastinus threw himself at the shield line, aiming to show his men how to reach over the top of an enemy shield and strike at the face of the soldier on the other side with the point of his sword. As he did, he felt a blow to the side of the head. He never even saw it coming. The strength suddenly drained from his legs. He sagged to his knees. His head was spinning. Dazed, he continued to call out to his men to spur them on.

As he spoke, a legionary of the 1st Legion directly opposite him in the shield line moved his shield six inches to the left, opening a small gap. In a flash he had shoved his sword through the gap with a powerful forward thrust that entered the yelling Gaius Crastinus's open mouth. According to Plutarch, the tip of the blade emerged from the back of Crastinus's neck. The soldier of the 1st withdrew his bloodied sword and swiftly resealed the gap in the shield line. His action had lasted just seconds. No doubt with a crude cheer from the nearby men of the 1st Legion, Centurion Crastinus toppled forward into the shiled in front of him, then slid to the ground.

I feel like my character died. It was a good death though.

 

[Maldur]

Caesar's reserve cohorts spontaneously rushed forward to the attack

Doesn't sound very coordinated. Spontaniously charging? Its like they are caught up in the rush of victory (after slaugtering the cavalry).

but infantry vs. infantry? There must be, since they always do charge...

They all did carry javelins, so they could attack at range. And to damage the enemy you had to be close. Also if you manage to bowl over several men, you create a gap in the shieldwall. Also you want the adrenaline pumping so running around might be good for the energy and strenght you might need.


ps.

SHARK, the comment of you comparing the legions to the marines is not to be rude ( I now realize it could be taken that way), its a trait commen among (ex) military people to do so, I hang round with several (former) infantrymen ( including dutch marines) and noticed this in all ( esp when talking about military history and/or games).

 

[SHARK]

Greetings!

Hey Maldur! No offense was taken my friend! I know I do--I can't help it, really. The Marines are such a huge, searing experience, it serves to influence us for life. My commander, Captain Cheatham, explained:

"Your experience as a Marine will mark you for life. Once a Marine, always a Marine! You have joined a brotherhood, and the experiences you have endured have changed you forever in so many ways. Wherever you go in life, whatever you do after you leave active service, you will notice that the Marines have changed you. You will forever be different in what you value, how you think, how you do things. You have learned the Marine ways. Always remember to represent us with pride and loyalty. No matter where we go, or what dangers we may face, we can face them with courage and honour, because we have our brothers with us. Like our brother Marines who have gone on to Heaven before us, we continue the proud traditions of the Marines. We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine! Carry On gentlemen!" (paraphrase)

He spoke to us often on different occasions, about all kinds of things really. This was one such occasion where he was adressing several different questions about the Marine Corps at the same time. Good stuff! I imagine that your friends maldur are very zealous in their speech and memories? It doesn't surprise me, especially for the Dutch Marines. Marine units everywhere, though different in size, training, and history, have in common a ferocious Esprit de Corps, which stays with you for life--whether you are active duty or not. Be sure to toast a good ale to them for me, will you? They deserve it, from one Marine to another!

Mmadsen: Indeed, I hated it when Crastinus died! I was angry. I wanted Caesar to crush Pompey! Crastinus--what a fine man, heh? He served so loyally, so courageously, and then dies in the ferocious fighting while trying to help the younger marines. It just is sad. Great though, in a heroic way!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

 

[mmadsen]

Chapter XI -- The Battle of Pharsalus (continued)

Without a word, he [Pompey] turned his horse around and galloped back toward the camp on the hill. A handful of startled staff rode after him.

Plutarch says that as Pompey reached the camp's praetorian gate, looking pale and dazed, he called to the centurions in charge, "Defend the camp strenuously if there should be any reverse in the battle. I'm going to check the guard on the other gates."

Instead of going around the other three gates of the camp as he'd said, he went straight to his headquarters tent, and there he remained.

Sad. Pompey has never lost before, and it obviously breaks him. The image of a great general moping in his tent as his men die, it's...sad.

 

[Maldur]

It seems he could not believe he lost.

"What! Into the very camp?"

As his cloak is taken, and he with five others escape through the backgate, pompey is a broken man, I can imagine he is almost zombie-like when his comrades usher him away.

Very sad.

 

[Maldur]

Strangely enough.
When I imagine these stories of battle, old hollywood movies provide the images. Ben Hur, Spartacus etc. These pictures about the roman empire are the footage I compose the images from. The newer movies dont have that effect (like gladiator). First impressions are strong impresions.

Funny idea

 

[Rashak Mani]

Maybe "Gladiator" showed a kind of underworld of Roman times that isnt exactly beautiful ? We History buffs always tend to overlook the nasty side... and focus on the glory part.

After reading Timeline by Michael Crichton I was kind of numbed by how violent and dirty the Middle ages were. Good gritty description of life back at that time... nothing close to RPGs or Romantics visions of medieval.

For me Gladiator marked me more thou... Ben Hur was an awful long time ago !!

 

[Maldur]

I wasn't commenting on the validity of the images my mind cooks up, more where they came from. threal romans were probably not as "technicolor" as these images are

As I said first impresions....