Germanicus

Okay, but the author of the other commentaries seems to :- From the African War:- I agree this indicates dispatch of a larger body of troops rather than individuals. Sending fresh men constantly ? Continually sending fresh reinforcements, to replace those (individuals ?) that were wounded or fatigued. From the Alexandrian war :- My rational is simply that men in the rear would be "fresh", men in the front would be "fatigued". I have no idea how this would be accomplished, as it is obviously not stated. My only dispute was that a Lull in the fighting is required for relief.

Virgil, care to comment on this ? I see many similarities between modern armies and Roman Legions, but don't know whether it's co-incidental as Caldrail suggests, or whether things like rank structures, logistics, military discipline and the like can be traced to a somewhat Roman origin. One thing though - I would have thought Napoleans organisation excellent, and the British armed forces both land an Naval during the empire anything but disorganised. I'd imagine, although I have never studied it, that forces engaged against the British in the American Civil war were also well organised.

That's crap. Where was this diplomat from ? He should be drawn and quatered.

Welcome to UNRV Gaius, you'll be a slave until you get 10 posts, etc etc - you can get the full run down on posting ranks here. With regard to your question, many classical sources exsist that tell historians these things, Tacitus, Caesar, Polybius, Plutarch to name some.

There's a good one at Bartleby.com - Ciceros second Oration against Cataline

Caesar indicates in the Civil Wars that when possible, it was a continual feeding of fresh troops, and retreat of the tired or injured, no lull required.

I checked out all the green vommit on the pavement outside the local Irish pub yesterday ! Nasty.

Hi Ziriel and Welcome. UNRV stands for United Nations of Roma Victor.

Chill out Leg X ! He could have waded through masses of posts, but I don't have a problem with him just asking the question.

How much did Pila weigh ?

You do make me laugh ! Not to mention that the Darling of Venus has a sensational writing style not evident in the African war.

The African War 2.22 :- He's talking about actions undertaken by Pompey as a lieutenant of Sulla, seems fairly glowing of the actions too - hence my comment.

Tony got shot ????? What ??? We in Australia get everything late Virgil can you elaborate ? What's going on with Chris ?

I don't think it's as cut and dried as that or we would have seen a Praetorian become Emperor. Why seek out Claudius after Caligulas death and proclaim him Emperor ? In the case of the year of four Emperors the Praetorians fought, and died for Otho despite not receiving a donative. I think their loyalty to the Caesars, at least the Julio Claudians was down to more than money, I think the early Praetorians get a bad wrap sometimes.

Oxford Uni Press Cato ! - this looks like a good copy of the Commentaries :- If you can find one.

Like PP, I support the dual culpability theory. The fact that Caesar acted outside the law in his incursions across the Rhine and the channel is up for debate, but has already been debated in many threads. The fact that Pompeys actions outside the law are accepted (living at Rome while retaining Imperium for example). Cato was principled certainly, and reminds me of Sulla in many ways other than the Tyranny factor, mostly for his blind support of the Aristrocratic oligarchy. He certainly supported Sullas final march on Rome and Pompeys aid to him in that endeavor.