Kosmo

Usually, skirmish was done by light infantry that was much safer and cheaper to operate then cavalry between oposing infantry formations. Cavalry was placed on the flanks of infantry lines with Alexander (and his dad) as a major exception. Cavalry facing off in the center at the start of the battle seems weird to me. PS guy have a cookie!

The consensus it's still not there especially after the leak of emails from East Anglia U. and GlacierGate. Among Weathercasters, Doubt on Warming By LESLIE KAUFMAN The debate over global warming has created predictable adversaries, pitting environmentalists against industry and coal-state Democrats against coastal liberals. But it has also created tensions between two groups that might be expected to agree on the issue: climate scientists and meteorologists, especially those who serve as television weather forecasters. Climatologists, who study weather patterns over time, almost universally endorse the view that the earth is warming and that humans have contributed to climate change. There is less of a consensus among meteorologists, who predict short-term weather patterns. Joe Bastardi, for example, a senior forecaster and meteorologist with AccuWeather, maintains that it is more likely that the planet is cooling, and he distrusts the data put forward by climate scientists as evidence for rising global temperatures.

Damn cliffhangers! But now it's exciting!

Erm, the Macedonian phalanx was. it pinned the enemy infantry while the cavalry worked round the sides. That was the general theory anyway. But returning to the Greek version, note that an Olympic event - the hundred yards - had to be completed while wearing full armour. And we know of at least one hoplite charge at a full sprint, which is the one that took the Athenians under the Persian volley at Marathon. And I'm speculating here, but I'd imagine a wedge of hoplites running into a battle line might disrupt it somewhat. My two bits. I'll now await correction from people who actually know what they are talking about ... I believe that classical hoplites were trained only for the phalanx formation and that this formation was used in attack or defense. Classical Greek armies were composed of hoplites that clashed in a head-on assault with the opposite hoplite phalanx without any fancy maneuvers. The use of different types of soldiers, tactics and formations became important only with Epaminondas, Iphicrates and Philip II.

Alexander's army was based on heavy infantry and shock cavalry in compact formations while the "Byzantines" used mostly heavy armored missile cavalry in a loose line.

Sadly, I don't believe anymore in the perfect rationality of the majority of human beings and, as a result, in democracy or free market. People do not vote or support decisions based on a thorough analysis of pros and cons but on instinctive reactions sparked by the smile of a politician, the opinions of peers, mass media manipulation, prejudice, etc. So, for me the political process is nothing else then a massive manipulation with the winner gaining legitimacy and not a rational debate on a certain topic. Looking at the US health care debate the most shocking aspect for me was how difficult was for a solution to be reached. The Democrats have a legislative majority (for now) and the presidency but it took them 2 years to get here and it's still not over. The comparison with Poland before partition when any noble could veto anything has merits. In a fast moving world the decision process should be quicker. Things like filibusters and the right of any senator to veto some decisions are also very undemocratic.

True. But a Late Empire army could also mean professional soldiers, veterans of vicious battles against a variety of enemies, competently led by experienced officers selected by merits not birth. It can also mean a mix force with roman infantry, berserk germanic auxiliaries, cataphract heavy cavalry and some hunnic horse archers for added punch. As a purely blocking force defending a position that could not be turned against much lighter armored opponents the hoplite phalanx was perfect for the job. So for the first phase at least the Spartans were very good with only macedonian sarissa phalanx - Alexander's veteran argyraspides - as an even better option. After all Alexander did conquer the Achmenid Empire with them.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Ides of March Cato!

Happy Birthday!

As far as I know there are no Indian sources for Alexander's expedition. The most important Indian states of that time were located further east on the valley of the Ganges River and were not impacted by the Macedonian conquest.

Happy birthday! I don't like my birthdays too much either but I found out that alcohol helps me into the mood. So enjoy

Happy Birthday!

You can try armor protection. Something like what princess Leia had when she visited Jabba!

I first tried a youth hostel. It had gender segregated rooms and that was a minus for us but may work for you. Then we stayed at a nunnery. The curfew hour did not bother me as I was already beaten from walking by that time. The conditions were not great but it was cheap and downtown. Get used with 'Ciao bella!'

The last one was much better!

A Zundapp motorcycle on a Moon Autobahn

I know! I didn't like last night's (episode 6) ending, either, but I have to say that I like the fact that every episode so far has been unpredictable. Also, actor John Hannah (Batiatus) continues to amaze with his performance. In last night's episode, he was scarier than any of his gladiators. He doesn't need to look like a gladiator (and he certainly doesn't) to intimidate -- you just know he's a bad dude to cross. He reminds me a little of Al Pacino, in Godfather II. -- Nephele The ending of episode 6 did not make much sense to me from a logical point of view (yet) but I did not mind. You can't really expect a happy end to this story and more romance would have made things only more brutal in the end. Vengeance it's a better plot device in violent movies (I'm thinking of Tarantino now). Batiatus and his wife make a very interesting couple and are the core of the series.

Black African or north African? And I don't see why is surprising. The empire had an African dynasty. That lady could not be very important if she lived in Britannia . York has been an imperial residence and we can expect that wealthy people from all over the Empire came here.

imdb says release date it's in April

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday! Enjoy the ouzo!

The face skinning scene? That was pretty hardcore. -- Nephele Yes, that scene and the fight before. Despite the occasional slight nausea I like a lot this series and I believe that, so far, it's one of the most accurate descriptions of roman mind set that I've seen.

By episode 3 I thought that I got used with the imagery of this series, the brutal episode 4 proved me wrong.

Funny thing, I come on UNRV straight after seeing Caprica episodes and found this thread. I must admit that I'm a bit disappointed that they lost the tempo of the pilot, it seems to me that nothing happened in this 3 episodes.