Imperial/Marian Army Formations?

[QuintusSertorius]

so when would they use the quincunx instead of regular battle lines (and vice versa)?

Whenever the general deemed it appropriate. That's why I didn't include any; reading the reports of late Republican battles, different generals did all kinds of different things at different times.

[Skandinav]

so when would they use the quincunx instead of regular battle lines (and vice versa)?

Your question sound as if within the boundaries of the theory stating that the quincunx formation was held even after the armies had clashed; the mainstream view on the quincunx though is that the three battle-lines was joined ( probably with small intervals between the units ) before the battle, and that the maniples were only for temporary maneuvering.
So the quincunx and regular battle lines are actually part of the same system, the triplex acies quincunx, although they have been used both together and apart.

Regarding standardization of tactics, none such existed in pre-marian times either, although some, like the abovementioned system, was commonly used.
Battle-reports, the few we have in such detail, indeed suggests that manipular/manipulatory tactics were used less frequently in the late republic but also that the romans still favoured multiple lines of engagement.

[Che Roriniho]

Going by this then QS, How would your 4 legion system (I have doubled up everything in the Socii, and an Allied General to keep them under control) work as a quincunx? Thanks so much for everything btw.

Righto, anyone know where I can find what a Makedon army would look like? (Not sure if they have a reform, if so, before and after if possible.)

[QuintusSertorius]

Your question sound as if within the boundaries of the theory stating that the quincunx formation was held even after the armies had clashed; the mainstream view on the quincunx though is that the three battle-lines was joined ( probably with small intervals between the units ) before the battle, and that the maniples were only for temporary maneuvering.
So the quincunx and regular battle lines are actually part of the same system, the triplex acies quincunx, although they have been used both together and apart.

Goldsworthy categorically rejects the idea that the quincunx was for deployment/movement only, and that they were joined together in battle. I find his reasoning persuasive that arraying troops takes a lot of time, and it's a further waste of time to deploy them in the quincunx only to collapse the gaps once battle starts.

Going by this then QS, How would your 4 legion system (I have doubled up everything in the Socii, and an Allied General to keep them under control) work as a quincunx? Thanks so much for everything btw.

Still the same as the Camillian/Polybian ones - Romans in the centre, Allies on the flanks/wings. If we go with a three-unit legion (one Aquila, one regular, one "veteran"), two of those in the centre with units of allies outside them. Allies for all your skirmishers and cavalry, too.

[Che Roriniho]

Still the same as the Camillian/Polybian ones - Romans in the centre, Allies on the flanks/wings. If we go with a three-unit legion (one Aquila, one regular, one "veteran"), two of those in the centre with units of allies outside them. Allies for all your skirmishers and cavalry, too.

So I'm guessing The 1st Cohort would be where the Triarii wuld be, with the Reformata taking the place of the Principes. If this is so then the Antes/Evocata would be 1st Line.
Like:

..............Archers........Javelins.........Javelins..........Archers
.....Allied Inf.......Evocata.......Antes............Allied Inf
Cav..........Allied Inf.......Reform.......Reform..............Allied Inf...Cav
Allied Gen.............1st Cohort...1st cohort..............................Tribune
.....................................General

With the Scorpians Placed somewhere Handy

[QuintusSertorius]

Actually I'd have thought the regular cohorts go at the front, and the veterans at the back where the triarii would have been.

[||Lz3||]

and the aquila usually goes in the front right side isn't it?

[QuintusSertorius]

and the aquila usually goes in the front right side isn't it?

Good point, so best to put them at the front, regular cohort in the middle, and veterans at the back.