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Home , Ancient warfare, Infantry, Peltast, Scutum (shield), Skirmisher

Feb/Mar 2008

VOL II, ISSUE I

Light With: • Portrait of a • Lanciarii: Elite ?

Also: • The of Dara • Read your ! € 6,99 And more

www.ancient-warfare.com Copyright Karwansaray BV

AW nr5 feb-mrt08.indd 1 24-07-2009 17:30:56 AW nr5 feb-mrt08.indd 2 24-07-2009 17:30:59 ANCIENT WARFARE CONTENTS Feb/Mar 2008

4 NEWS AND LETTERS 32 OR PELTAST Publisher: Rolof van Hövell tot Westerflier, MA, MCL Macedonian ‘heavy’ infantry Publisher’s assistant: Gabrielle Terlaak Editor in chief: Jasper L. Oorthuys, MA A HISTORY OF Sales and marketing: Tharin Clarijs 7 Website design: Christianne C. Beall EUROPEAN SHIELDS Art and layout consultant: Matthew C. Lanteigne Part 2. and status symbol

Contributors: Nick Barley, Ross Cowan, Murray Dahm, Sidney Dean, Paul Elliot, Stephen English, Christian Koepfer, Chris Lillington-Martin, Mike Thomas THEME Illustrations: Andrew Brozyna, Igor Dzis, Carlos de la 36 ROMAN TACTICS Rocha, Johnny Shumate, Graham Sumner. DEFEAT PERSIAN PRIDE Design & layout: © MeSa Design, INTRODUCTION e-mail: [email protected] 12 The battle of Dara Print: PublisherPartners. www.publisherpartners.com THE SOURCE Editorial office 14 PO Box 1574, 6501 BN Nijmegen, The Netherlands. on Lightly Armed Phone: +31-6-28788885 () +1-740-994-0091 (US). E-mail: [email protected] Skype: ancient_warfare. Website: www.ancient-warfare.com

Contributions in the form of articles, letters and queries from readers are welcomed. Please send to the above address or use the contact form on our LANCIARII website. 18 41 BE A GENERAL Elite troops? Read your Homer Subscription Subscription price per 12 months is 29,95 euros including postage worldwide. 6% VAT applicable in the EU. Subscriptions: www.ancient-warfare.com or Ancient Warfare PO Box 1574, 6501 BN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Distribution Ancient Warfare is sold through selected retailers, museums, the internet and by subscription. If you 24 HUMBLE AND DEADLY wish to become a sales outlet, please contact the The ancient slinger editorial office or e-mail us: [email protected] 45 BE A GENERAL Solution to ‘Xenophon’s commander’ Copyright Karwansaray BV, all rights reserved. Nothing in this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent of the 46 REVIEWS publishers. Any individual providing material for Books and models publication must ensure they have obtained the correct permissions before submission to us. Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders, but in a few cases this proves impossible. The editor and publishers apologize for any unwitting cases of copyright transgression and would like to hear from any copyright holders not acknowledged. 28 PORTRAIT Articles and the opinions expressed herein do not Peltast light infantry necessarily represent the views of the editor and or publishers. Advertising in Ancient Warfare does not necessarily imply endorsement. 50 ON THE COVER Ancient Warfare is published every two months by Karwansaray BV, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. PO Box 1110, 3000 BC Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

ISSN: 1874-7019

Ancient Warfare 3

AW nr5 feb-mrt08.indd 3 24-07-2009 17:31:29 NEWS AND LETTERS News and letters

INTERACTION WITH OUR READERSHIP IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US AND WE’RE GLAD TO SEE THE WEBSITE IS REGULARLY USED TO POSE QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS ON OUR MAGAZINE. LAST TIME WE ENCOURAGED OUR READERS NOT TO BE AFRAID TO VENT THEIR CRITICISMS. IT IS GOOD TO SEE THAT CRITICAL MINDS READ OUR MAGAZINE.

The of Spain I am glad to see that the fourth issue of Ancient Warfare deals with the Roman conquest of Hispania. There are however many issues that could be addressed regarding the different contributions, many of them on controversial points such as the not a representative example. 2nd century date. character of the Celtiberian ‘guerrilla’. There are moreover some factual errors Also, the has many problems. I will however restrict my comments that make this a flawed reconstruction. So far not a single bronze or brass to a few points of fact visible in the The belt-buckle is a very archaic type metallic frame for the sword scabbard figures and figure captions, which are that cannot be dated later than c. 350 has been found; they are all made in misleading or plain wrong. BC, over a century before Viriathus. iron. The spearhead embedded in the The sword shown in p. 34 is neither There are more appropriate types for a scabbard frame was placed there, in a Roman hispaniensis, nor its Iberian prototype. In fact, it is a ‘fronton sword’ (of Quesada’s type 2, cat. number 908). This particular sword comes from Almedinilla (Cordoba) Ancient-warfare.com – a site I’m actually re-excavating The magazine website has been completely redesigned. We believe the now– and is dated to the first decades layout is much improved and the site is now easier to navigate. We have also of the 4th century BC. Real prototypes added a blog where the editor keeps track of what is going on ‘behind the of the gladius hispaniensis belong to a scenes’ of Ancient Warfare. complete different tradition (see JRMES In the near future – perhaps already when you read this – we will also 8, 1997, pp.251-270). have added a podcast, an internet audio show, which we are producing in The – otherwise splendid – illustration cooperation with thehistorynetwork.org. We are quite excited about this of a Lusitanian warrior in page 18 must new feature and hope you’ll like it too. The first episode will feature several also be taken with more than a grain of of the authors in this issue discussing the theme of ‘Light infantry’. salt. Mail was very rare – not Finally, if you’d like to keep up to date with our plans and ideas, make sure a single examples is archaeologically you subscribe to our free electronic newsletter. Go to ancient-warfare.com documented among thousands and simply put your name and email address in the box at the top right of the of warrior burials – and sources page. The website has an archive of older editions as well. specifically mention it was very rare ( 3, 3, 6). So this is a chieftain and

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shape. Finally, the shape of the caetra iron boss is also wrong. Roman hospital found I know Spanish archaeology is not Future themes During excavations in Oudenburg, well known abroad, but enough These are the planned themes in western Belgium, the remains information is now readily available for the coming issues of Ancient of a Roman hospital, online or in books published in Britain Warfare: a valetudinarium have been or France, so that these embarrassing - Victory and defeat (April 2008) discovered. The fort containing mistakes could have been avoided. - The Age of the . 700 BC the hospital dates to the third I would not like to leave the impression - 335 BC (June 2008) century AD and was established that I disagree with the articles - The campaigns of Julius Caesar as part of the defences in-depth published in Ancient Warfare, or that (August 2008) of the border, then possibly I detract from their merit, but I believe - Warfare in the Ancient reinforced during the Gallic serious and polite criticism is still (October 2008) of Postumus (260-268) healthy. If you have any suggestions for and subsequently became part of future themes, or if you’d like the Saxon Coast defence system. Prof. Fernando Quesada-Sanz to contribute, don’t hesitate to The find of a hospital here is contact us. noteworthy since the nearest We apologize for the misidentification of comparable find is in Neuss, just the ‘fronton’ sword and the misleading north of Cologne, Germany. caption in the Viriathus article. It should, of course, have said that this was a reconstruction of what a chieftain like Virithus could have looked like. As to the factual errors in the image the small ‘pocket ’ space, during itself, we can only repeat what Johnny the funeral rites; it is not a ‘reserve Shumate said on reading this letter: “I weapon holder’, and this is proved by a wish I had contact with Prof.Quesada detailed examination of the excavation before I started the illustrations. He is reports. correct that the information on Iberian Finally, the hilt is also regrettably is scant outside the Spanish wrong; the ‘atrophied antennae’ sword world. I mostly used the information hilts are small iron spheres decorated out of Osprey’s book ’s Enemies: with silver or copper inlay, never Spanish . I hate it when I render vertical disks as shown. Some early, an illustration that’s not correct. I try 5th century BC hilts are known with to pride myself on historically accurate flat disks, but never this way or in this images. I offer my apologies” ■

© Brendan Keeley

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Weapon and Status Symbol? The scutum in the early

AS WE HAVE SEEN IN PART I OF THIS ARTICLE ‘INVENTING THE SCUTUM - ITALIC SHIELDS UNTIL THE LATE ’, THE SCUTUM SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A FORMIDABLE WEAPON. HOWEVER, DURING THE REIGN OF THE ROMAN SCUTUM, WHICH HAD SERVED BASICALLY UNCHANGED IN THE ROMAN FOR CENTURIES, SUDDENLY BECAME SUBJECT TO A SERIES OF DRASTIC MODIFICATIONS.

By Christian Koepfer

The first disctintive feature to the rectangular rim belong to disappear seems to have been the these, the shield boss types spina. Among the finds from the Roman with the round rim to the oval camp in Haltern, which was abandoned shields. after the Roman defeat in 9 AD by the Another new feature of Germanic tribes led by , are the rectangular shields was © Jasper Oorthuys two of the barley-corn shaped shield that they were reinforced bosses (umbones). One of them is a with wooden strips at their fragment of a repoussée-decorated rear. This made them even more Picture 1. Pillar base showing version of the regular iron type used robust. Whereas the Republican shields legionaries attacking in formation. previously, the other, however, has seem to have had metal rims only along Second half of the first century AD. no longer cut-outs to incorporate the upper and lower edge, the shields Now in the Landesmuseum, Mainz the spina. For a short period forked, now were covered all around the rim (Germany). narrow and comparatively thin metal with sheet metal, usually of copper spinae seem to have been used in some alloy. Parts of these are found all over described a variety of other shields regions of the Empire. These spinae the Empire in large numbers. were in use by the in this period, were probaly not directly connected to As usual in the Roman Empire, all mainly deriving from indigenous shield the umbo. these changes were not taking place forms. By terminological definition, The next modification was to the everywhere, and not taking place these also were scuta. Since these shield boss itself, which became round everywhere at the same time. The stand in a different tradition, they will and lost its barley-corn shape. Some of famous Mainz Pedestals (Pictures 1 & 2) be described in a following part. For the earliest examples of this type also from the last quarter of the first century completeness, I also want to mention were found at Haltern. Most findings AD depict both of these shield types, the that the Praetorians seem to have used from the early Empire show a round rectangular shields still equipped with the oval version of the scutum during shield-boss-rim, where other finds a barley-corn shaped umbo, wheras the early Empire, as can be seen on the have a square one. Even the shield the slightly earlier tombstone of Caius famous Cancellaria relief in Rome. body was subject to changes. Two Valerius Crispus from Legio VIII Augusta At this point the question arises different shield forms evolved from already shows the new square umbo as to the reason for the changes I the Republican scutum; a large oval type. Generally it is assumed that the described above. Junkelmann argues form, which could be either curved or rectangular shield identifies legionary that the motive was mainly weight convex, and a rectangular curved form, , and the oval shield identifies reduction. However his reproductions which was basically the Republican auxiliaries. This is, as we will see later, of Republican scuta based on the find scutum, with cut off upper and lower too generalised a statement to make. from Kasr-el-Harit (as desribed in Part curved part. The shield boss types with Beside the shield forms already I of this article) were 9.65 kg, which is

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of Roman citizens, were at the very top, followed by the cavalry units and then the auxiliary infantry, both the latter led by Roman citizens but not, alas, citzens themselves. In that way the army was paralleling Roman society with its vertical structure based on honour. With these differentiations of prestige and honour within the Army the units had to find certain roles in which they could excel, to be able to compete in honour, as well as to find means for self-identification, thus avoiding contempt (no-one wanted to be member of the 5th Diapontic Cohort of unarmoured rock-throwers, famous for missing their target nine out of ten times). The elite troops, the legions, seem to have become specialists more and more over the course of the first century, as J.E. Lendon has shown recently in Soldiers and Ghosts. The legions rather became a sort of , in of building tasks, siegeworking and the like, but of course still remained a hard challenge for any opponent in the field. Especially for the works the rectangular shields seem to have been a better choice than the oval shields would have been. They still offered good protection, and they allowed the soldiers better to take up formations useful in a siege, like the testudo, or very dense formations in which the soldiers were able to strike over their © Jasper Oorthuys own shields, which was rather difficult Picture 2. Pillar base with a depiction of a – auxiliary? – with several with the old scutum, and not so easy . Second half of the first century AD. Now in the Landesmuseum, Mainz with the new oval scutum. (Germany). Nonetheless, the rectangular scutum seems not to have been reserved for the legions exclusively, nor far too heavy. A 1:1 reconstruction of A restructured army was the oval scutum a pure auxiliary the shield by the author weighs only Then why would such a change occur? attribute. This can be seen from 5.8 kg. Where Junkelmann used a quite The reason may be found in Augustus’ tombstones again, that of the legionary heavy leather shield facing, a well- restructuring of the . Publius Flavoleius Cordus (Picture 3), prepared calf-skin facing as described Augustus inherited an army which and of Caius Castricius Victor (Picture by would add not more than was based on legions of Italic citizens, 4) who carry an oval shield, and that of 0.8kg of weight, resulting in an overall which were reinforced by more or less the auxiliary Annaius Daverzus (Picture 6.6 kg, about three kg less. The weight independent allied units of different 5), who - most probably - carries a reduction achieved by cutting off the origin. By restructuring these allied rectangular shield. As regarding this top and bottom edges and removing troops and incorporating them as the question may be asked whether the spina would save ~1.4 kg versus official units into the army, each unit´s perhaps shield forms were linked Junkelmann’s 3.55 kg and this would role had to be defined, which brought to certain tasks which units had to not really have been very significant. as a side-effect a certain ladder of perform, e.g. that one or more cohorts The oval scutum basically had the same status, with the most prestigious units who were siege specialists within a weight as its predecessor from the at the top. It was immediately clear to legion carried the rectangular shield, Republic, and was just lower and, in the soldiers which units were where in where simultaneously other cohorts some cases, wider. the pecking order: the legions, made up used the oval form, which offered

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better protection in a . Shield devices nothing changed. What did change is Also regional differences might be the As in earlier times the scutum was used that from the early Empire we have a reason. Unfortunately these questions as a weapon as much as a protective lot more evidence about shield devices have to remain open. Only a detailed device. The lower rim and the shield boss than we have from the Republic. The analysis of first century shield-part could be used to strike at the opponent, Arch of Orange shows on its two large finds from all over the Empire could the shield’s size and sturdyness offered battle friezes pairs of wings on the help in answering these questions. good protection. In these aspects scuta, a feature commonly seen on other epigraphic evidence from the period. In Kalkriese two fragments of what was most probably a metal shield decoration were apparently found together with fragments of a copper alloy shield rim. These fragments are of gilded and very thin silver sheet metal and formed a stylised lightning symbol, which can also be seen on shields on many reliefs, such as Trajan’s Column or the above mentioned tombstone of Crispus. In fact the variety of possible shield designs for legionaries seems to be quite limited, consisting mainly of Jupiter-related symbols: thunderbolt and lightning, and / or eagle’s wings. It is possible that soldiers which had received military decorations also displayed these on their shields. On Trajan’s Column also other decorations like lunulae and stars can be seen on legionary shields. The auxilia displayed on this monument have different kinds of shield designs, which seem to be linked to their status. According to Lino Rossi, auxilia shield designs showing symbols connected to Jupiter meant that these units were either granted Roman citizenship or recruited from Roman citzens, shields showing laurel wreaths belonged to units which were decorated with the title torquata, and shields showing other designs, such as geometrical, mythical or floral motifs, belonged to regular auxilia. An interesting aspect of the shield devices is their purpose. Where we know from Greek armies that the devices either were apotropaic devices, or family or symbols, the Roman shield devices are in this context a bit more complicated to interpret. The symbols relating to Jupiter as head of the Capitoline triad, thus the god of Rome, seem to have had a clear purpose: linking the bearer and his unit to the highest divine authority and divine power. Similarily the decorations could show military decorations, as we © Jasper Oorthuys have seen. Others are unclear, though. Picture 3. Tombstone of Publius Flavoleius Cordus, soldier of the Legio XIV Gemina, But beside these aspects one rightfully 1st Century AD. Now in the Landesmuseum, Mainz (Germany). asks for the military function of the

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shield designs. Two literary sources are of importance in this context. The first is from Tacitus out of an account of the battle of Cremona in 69 AD:

The line was supported, as it began to waver, by Antonius, who brought up the Praetorians. They took up the conflict, repulsed the enemy and were then themselves repulsed. The troops of Vitellius had collected their on the raised causeway, where there was a free and open space for the discharge of the , which at first had been scattered at random, and had struck against the trees without injury to the enemy. An engine of remarkable size, belonging to the 15th legion, was crushing the hostile ranks with huge stones, and would have spread destruction far and wide, had not two soldiers ventured on a deed of surpassing bravery. Disguising themselves with shields snatched from the midst of the carnage, they cut the ropes and springs of the engine. They were instantly slain, and their names have consequently been lost; but the fact is undoubted.

Tacitus, Historiae 3.23 © MartinWieland Picture 4. Tombstone of Caius Castricius Victor, legionary of II Adiutrix, late 1st or This passage has often been used early 2nd century AD. Now in the Aquincum Museum, Budapest (Hungary) as a proof that Roman shield devices in the early Empire were uniform within units. In fact all that can be said is This might be only an interpretation that it seems to have been possible Lest the soldiers in the confusion by Vegetius of the fact that he saw to distinguish the shields of one side of battle should be separated from different kinds of shield devices on from the shields of the other side. Since their comrades, every cohort had older monuments. On the other hand, the battle was a civil , it could also its shields painted in a manner this interpretation is supported by be that the soldiers had marked their peculiar to itself. The name of each Rossi´s theory about the shield devices shields in a way that made it possible soldier was also written on his displayed on Trajan´s Column, which to distinguish which soldier was on shield, together with the number I described above. Since there is not which side, as was the case much later, of the cohort and century to which much more information than this to when Constantine the Great ordered he belonged. From this description be gained at the moment, the reader “the sign of the salutary trophy to be we may compare the legion, when will probably agree with me that the impressed on the very shields of his in proper order, to a well fortified sources are too few to make definite or soldiers” right before the battle of the city as containing within itself every universal statements about the military Milvian Bridge in AD 312. On the other thing requisite in war, wherever it function of Roman shield devices in the hand, Vegetius tells us in the late 4th moved. early Roman Empire. century AD how the “ancients”, that is, the earlier Roman armies, used their Vegetius, 2.18 Shield construction shield devices: Reconstruction of scuta for this period is rather difficult, since there

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is no actual known example, with connected to the status and prestige the exception of a shield board from these units had, and their allegiance Doncaster. This unfortunately was was proudly displayed on their shields. Further reading burned before it was buried and hence The question as to whether this was M. Junkelmann, Die Legionen des is not a reliable source.2 Shield covers actual practice or rather a system Augustus. Mainz 1986. and metal shield rims found in several invented for display on Trajan´s J. E. Lendon, Soldiers and Ghosts. locations across the Empire dating to Column remains unanswered. On London & New Haven 2005. the first and second century can tell many other reliefs and tombstones A. C. McGiffert, Writings of us something about the actual size one mainly sees the thunderbolt and Eusebius. 1890 New York. and possibly the shape of the shields, lightning device. In construction the L. Rossi, Trajan’s Column and the but not much about the shield board rectangular scuta during the period Dacian . London 1971. construction, or the materials used for discussed in this article seem to have W. Schlüter (ed.), Kalkriese. it. Only cross-referencing with earlier been almost identical to the earlier Bramsche 1993. and later period shield finds, as well as and the later examples of actual finds. with ancient depictions of shields, can As we will see in the next part of this give us an idea about how they looked series, this point cannot be made and how they were made. Here the for the oval scuta, Kasr-El-Harit shield (1st C BC / 1st C AD) which underwent and the shields found at Dura Europos, a striking change dating to the 3rd century AD, are the in construction at only objects which can help. These finds some time during show that there seems to be a certain the early Empire. ■ continuity in shield construction. The rectangular shield board from Dura Christian Koepfer Europos is constructed in the same is a regular three-layer curved plywood method contributor to as is the Kasr-El-Harit shield. In fact Ancient Warfare. the remnants of the Doncaster shield show that it was also constructed in at least two layers, so there seems to be a unbroken consistency in the of shield-making. Unfortunately the bad state of preservation of the Doncaster shield actually cannot show us whether the shield was curved or flat. However, I would suggest that it was rather a curved shield, due to it’s plywood-strip construction, since all other examples of such shields that we know of were curved. As with the shield from Dura Europos, the Doncaster shield also had a facing made from animal skin to protect its surface.

Conclusion Summarizing, we can see that the scutum underwent a series of changes during the first century, which were not only changes in form, but probably also in function. As the units in the Roman Army became more specialised, so the scutum was changed to serve different purposes. The different kinds of shields and shield devices seen in contemporary art can be used as

an argument to support this theory. © Jasper Oorthuys Different battlefield roles and different Picture 5. Tombstone of the auxiliary Annaius Daverzus, soldier of the 4th levels of recruiting background of the Dalmatian cohort, mid 1st century AD. Now at the Römerhalle, Bad Kreuznach various military units may have been (Germany).

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AW nr5 feb-mrt08.indd 11 24-07-2009 17:31:57 THEME INTRODUCTION ‘Light infantry’ Historical introduction

ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS EXAMPLES OF THE LIGHT INFANTRY- MAN AT WORK IS THE DUEL BETWEEN DAVID AND GOLIATH. THE STORY IS LOADED WITH ALL KINDS OF SYMBOLISM OF COURSE, BUT IT IS ALSO QUITE ILLUSTRATIVE AS AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CURRENT THEME. GOLIATH WAS THE EPITOME OF THE HEAVY INFANTRYMAN: CHAMPION OF THE PHILISTINE ARMY, EQUIPPED WITH THE BEST AND MOST IMPRESSIVE ARMOR AND DISDAINFUL OF THE YOUNG, POOR SHEPHERD. THE FACT THAT HE WAS KILLED FROM A DISTANCE WITH A STONE RIGHT BETWEEN HIS

EYES REINFORCES THE CONTRAST BV © Karwansaray The Greeks considered Persian soldiers effeminate, armed as they were with AND THE BIBLICAL MESSAGE. bows. These glazed tiles depict Persian soldiers dating to the reign of Dareios the Great. Now in the museum, Berlin.

By Jasper Oorthuys the citizen landowner who fought or relegate them to an exchange of with his compatriots for his city. To be missiles while the shake that citizen landowner was the ideal to into formation. It is quite likely that the Bible is aspire to and that is what is reflected in Probably the best known type of the only ancient literary work with an ancient literature. armed is the peltast. outspoken positive attitude in regard Sidney Dean discusses their origins in to light infantrymen. As Nick Barley Tactics the Thracian highlands where a more shows, the exact opposite of the David Another reason for the usual neglect fluid kind of warfare was practiced message can be found in , of light infantry in our sources may be than the ritualized hoplite battle of while Thucydides is at best neutral. that their role was not always properly the Greek city states. Showing their The latter provides information on understood. Certainly, there are several usefulness, often in ‘low-intensity’ light infantry whenever he thinks that examples of where a lone unit warfare, but in pitched battle as well, is necessary, but no more than that. of heavy infantry was harassed into were later recruited from Throughout the ancient world the submission by – Nick among the urban poor. Across the story of the light infantryman is almost Barley mentions a few – but most Adriatic the Romans enrolled their always the story of the young, poor battles seem to have been decided by poorer, nimble citizens as with inhabitant of inhospitable mountains, the crash of heavy infantry. Velites, essentially the same task, perhaps islands or a plain nomad. To top it off, peltasts, archers and slingers are learning from their experiences during he fought from a distance, avoiding often ignored when their role was not the long wars with the mountain close combat if possible. In other words, decisive. Consequently many modern peoples of Italy. reports that the he could hardly be more opposed to historians ignore light infantry as well velites were formally inducted into the

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adduces sculptural evidence for 1st century AD legionary skirmishers.

Specialists That is not to say that the Romans did not look for specialists to supplement their army in what it lacked in cavalry, and slingers. That, however, is not a uniquely Roman feature. Paul Elliot shows how well trained slingers were a feature of warfare throughout the entire ancient world, from Rhodian slingers who were hired by Greek city states to the -slingers integral to the late Roman legions. Nevertheless, and with the exception of specialist legionaries, light infantry in whatever guise they showed up on the battlefield, were almost always the lowest class of soldier. Cavalry was provided by the rich, while the farmer-soldier, who could afford to purchase his own equipment, formed the mainstay of the infantry. Those who could not afford to do so and therefore had to avoid coming into direct contact with their enemies across the field, made do without and found themselves other . Of course this entire interpretation gets turned upside down if the definition of light infantry is changed. ‘Light infantry’ is one of those descriptive names that is understood by everyone, but hard to pin down.

© MartinWieland Are they defined by the fact that Gravestone of Septimius Viator, lanciarius of legio II Parthica, c. AD 215-218, they fight in skirmisher bands, by Apamea. There are no literary accounts of third century lanciarii in action, but virtue of being almost solely armed their multiple missiles suggest they fought like the velites of the Republican with ranged weapons, by their high legions. (see the article by Ross Cowan starting on page 18) maneuverability, by a lack of heavy armor or by a combination of several of the above? Stephen English shows that if legions in 211 BC, but they disappear legionaries as well. you tick off the crucial differences in from the record again at the end of the It is often stated that the lack of tactics and equipment between the second century BC. One wonders why velites led to the introduction of non- classic and the Macedonian the Romans thought they no longer Roman auxiliaries to take up the role formation of the same name, the needed such light infantry. Was the of light infantry. It remains to be seen contrast is so great that the Philip’s legionary with two pila now his own if that holds true. It has already been infantrymen might well be classed as skirmisher? It can certainly be argued argued in the very first issue of Ancient light infantrymen. that the Roman legionary of this era Warfare that Batavian auxiliaries of To hear some more discussion was a very versatile infantryman who the Flavian era fought in the same way on this topic, be sure to listen to the was able both to fight on his own or in and with similar equipment as their podcast we recorded in cooperation larger, dense formations. Alternatively legionary counterparts. In this issue with www.thehistorynetwork.org. it is possible that with the lowering Ross Cowan discusses the possibility More information and downloads on of the wealth requirements and the that later during the Principate a www.ancient-warfare.com ■ issuing of equipment by Rome itself, solution was found within the legions those who would previously have themselves. Some soldiers of Legio II become velites now simply became Parthica were called lanciarii and he Jasper Oorthuys

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Thucydides on Lightly Armed Troops

HOLLYWOOD HAS MADE FAMOUS THE SAYING OF THE SPARTAN DIENECES AT THE BATTLE OF ; ALTHOUGH THE VAST NUMBERS OF PERSIAN ARROWS WOULD BLOT OUT THE SUN, THIS WAS IN FACT GOOD NEWS AS “IF THE MEDES HIDE THE SUN WITH THEIR ARROWS, WE WILL FIGHT IN THE SHADE.” (HERODOTUS, 7.226)

By Nick Barley © Livius.org

This makes for excellent theatre, Thucydides on a mosaic in the Altes Museum, Berlin and truly demonstrates that Herodotus has been successful in his wish to see the valorous deeds of men remembered by future generations. However, of combat invented by modern writers concerned its citizens at that time. it is unfortunate that only such to conform to the perceived glory days That Thucydides was well-educated is memorable incidents reach the public of antiquity? To answer this question certainly an excellent start if we are consciousness. Indeed, Dieneces’ saying we must turn to Thucydides, the to analyse his credentials as a writer; leads the reader to adopt a ‘Spartan Athenian general and historian who but he had another, perhaps more attitude’ towards the effectiveness recorded the tumultuous events of important, quality which would affect of lightly armed troops, namely, that the . His accurate his writing: experience as a general. The regardless of number, they somehow and meticulous style of writing has only evidence we have for Thucydides’ do not really ‘count’. Thanks perhaps preserved details of a number of large holding of the strategia is that of his to Herodotus’ reporting of the Persian battles, and smaller skirmishes, from command during 424, and this comes Wars and ’ representation which a huge amount of information from his own writings. (Thucydides of these wars as struggles between regarding Greek warfare, specifically 4.104-108) Unfortunately, there is no the effeminate Persian bow and the Greek lightly armed troops, can be way of discovering the extent of his manly Dorian , this attitude taken. experience prior to this. However, remains ingrained in the modern idea Thucydides was an Athenian citizen given that the position of of warfare. (Aeschylus, born around 460B.C. who came to write was decided by vote, it is fair to assume , 85-6, 147-9) one of the greatest and most enduring that Thucydides had prior military accounts of Greek history ever written. experience before being elected to the Thucydides His History of the Peloponnesian War office in 424. His command during this This idea is that of a style of warfare is considered one of the first truly time came to an abrupt and inglorious almost dominated by an ancient scholarly historical accounts written, end when, having lost the strategically form of ‘Queensbury rules’: the use of and his scientific, often dry method important city of in lightly armed troops was seen as both of collecting and presenting evidence to the wily Spartan general Brasidas, he pointless, due to their ineffectiveness, resulted in a first hand account of was exiled from . This, according and a sign of weakness, as their conflict. Thucydides was well-equipped to Thucydides himself, gave him “rather use indicated a lack of desire for to write his account. Educated in exceptional facilities for looking into ‘honourable’ close combat. But is this Athens during the 440s he would have things…” and consequently the History idea supported by the sources, or is it been exposed to the seemingly limitless of the Peloponnesian War was written. a more modern construction, a style pursuit of intellectual activities which (Thucydides, 5.26)

14 Ancient Warfare

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