Faustus Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 Roman communications. In Harris' POMPEII. he tells of Pliny ordering a Flash message being sent to notify Rome as regards the actions he was taking on the Augusta Aqueduct and the water supply into Misenium. That was interesting and dramatic, but I had some personal doubts as to the efficacy of the action. It was interesting that he chose the word "Flash" which is the highest precedence given to all military communications by todays standard nomenclature.* The first line of Roman communications was the roads. Private individuals could use them only by rare and special permission through a government diploma. Provinces were always in touch with Rome and one another. The average citizen sent letters and messages to friends across the sea through slaves and traveling associates. Most news reached its destination eventually. But the roads were built for official communications. Travel by public stage coach averaged some 60 miles per day. Caesar once rode by carriage 800 miles in eight days. Messengers carrying news of Nero Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Octavius Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 During a battle, I believe that trumpets were used to direct tactics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faustus Posted April 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 (edited) During a battle, I believe that trumpets were used to direct tactics. I take it you mean at sea? At any rate that is a quick system, but needs a response like a RGR probably. I think the communications specialist, and there likely were those, had their hands full. These things are not handled "casually". Someone has be be able to be held responsible, just in case! Faustus Edited April 27, 2008 by Faustus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Octavius Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 During a battle, I believe that trumpets were used to direct tactics. I take it you mean at sea? At any rate that is a quick system, but needs a response like a RGR probably. I think the communications specialist, and there likely were those, had their hands full. These things are not handled "casually". Someone has be be able to be held responsible, just in case! Faustus Actually, I meant on land, but I can see trumpets used at sea, especially in fog. They might even have been used to communicate set signals from tower to tower on Hadrian's Wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost_Warrior Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 In battle, trumpets and I believe flags or standards were also used to convey messages. Don't forget the good old fashioned signal fire!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Octavius Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 (edited) Cornicen. Didn't these legionaries communicate orders to the units and/or their commanders with some sort of a 'horn'? Edited April 27, 2008 by Gaius Octavius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faustus Posted April 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 (edited) Cornicen. Didn't these legionaries communicate orders to the units and/or their commanders with some sort of a 'horn'? In close order formations that works well, at greater distances confusion reigns except for a few possible orders like "retreat", possibly. (but in the USMC we didn't have a signal for retreat!) Faustus Edited April 27, 2008 by Faustus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Octavius Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 (edited) (but in the USMC we didn't have a signal for retreat!)Faustus Could it be that that is why you are called Jar Heads? (Sorry!, Sorry!, I just couldn't resist that temptation. ) Edited April 27, 2008 by Gaius Octavius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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