Historical RTW-era formations

[The_Mark]

What were the most used army formations used in the era depicted by RTW?
I'd like to have as much historical formations in my formation mod, and I was directed here for the history buffs, so..

In general, I'd like to know was the formation defensive/offensive, by whom it was used etc., all kinds of stuff.

[Aurelian]

Hey. Lucky you. Since nobody else has chimed in yet, I'll throw a few things at you.

First, you should read this LINK (http://www.roman-empire.net/army/tactics.html) on "Roman Army Tactics". Since very few Roman military manuals have come down to us, it is mostly a summary of Vegetius "De Re Militari", but it also contains later information from Byzantine treatises. You can read the relevant section of Vegetius HERE (http://www.pvv.ntnu.no/~madsb/home/war/vegetius/dere07.php#12).

Vegetius was writing at a later period, but much of his material was drawn from earlier treatises that are now lost.

Next, check out Arrian's 'Array Against the Alans'. LINK (http://s_van_dorst.tripod.com/Ancient_Warfare/Rome/Sources/ektaxis.html) Arrian was a historian who also happened to be a military governor, so his account of a Roman battle array is probably the best we have. It comes from the Imperial period but will still be helpful.

After that, you'll need to look at diagrams of specific period battles to get ideas.

Here is a LIST OF BATTLES (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_battles_before_AD_601) for the Roman period to look through. HERE (http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/encyclopedia/L/Li/List_of_Roman_battles.htm) is a list of specifically Roman battles.

For the most part tactics and formations in the Roman era weren't overly complicated. However, there are a few battles that might be useful:

Check out Scipio's work at Baecula, Ilipa, and Zama. Scipio learned how to use his heavy Roman infantry to outflank the Carthaginians. A formation or two based on his arrays for Baecula and Ilipa might work. LINK (http://www.fenrir.dk/history/bios/scipio/spain.php)

I won't bother linking to something about Cannae, because it shouldn't be hard to find, but a formation based on Hannibal's array might be appropriate.

Here is a LINK WITH DIAGRAM (http://www.barca.fsnet.co.uk/magnesia-190bc.htm) on the battle of Magnesia. Not any fantastic tactics there, but a good example of a complete hellenistic array, and the formation the Romans used against it.

Again, poke around and look for diagrams.

Hope this was helpful. Let me know if you need anything specific or wanted to look at this issue in a different way.

[The_Mark]

Thank you for the links, I trust they'll come in handy, especially those about Scipio's battles. Although I'm now with the EB, so the formation mod will be halted for now.