Sep 14, 2016 · 11 When was the earliest known use of the testudo formation by the Romans? Wikipedia's article on the testudo formation includes a quote from Cassius Dio which mentions the …

In a close testudo formation the shields can overlap providing additional protection, with side protections, you lose those overlaps. You can also find many images of a variant with no side protection, which is …

May 27, 2014 · We have a related modern question: WWI trench tactics using shields? But if we move back into antiquity, are there accounts of the testudo formation withstanding ballistae bolts? Could it?

Jul 21, 2016 · The Roman "testudo" was a formation specifically for siege warfare, and it was mobile because the first row of shields was NOT on the ground. Remember that neither the Danes, nor the …

Aug 7, 2015 · I read that historically, Romans fought in checker board formation, composed of 3 lines. But I play Rome Total War and in the game, that deployment means a nice recipe for high casualties. …

Are there any records of WWI trench tactics involving shield formations similar to the example below of the ancient Testudo formation? . I imagine that it could have been successful if used to ...

I don't believe the Testudo formation dictated what shields were used by Roman infantry. It was a very specialised formation with many weaknesses. Given the Roman track record of innovation and their …

Q&A for historians and history buffs

May 19, 2018 · I'm finding contradictory descriptions about how Roman legions were organized during the Gallic Wars (58-50 BC). An appendix on Roman military organization in The Landmark Julius …

Jul 11, 2017 · To keep mounted units far enough away, very long spears, aka pikes, are required, as the Hellenes and later the Swiss did. However, such units have difficulties to retain proper formation, and …