How the Maniple Formation worked?

[Ravenic]

Ah thank you, that helps alot. My understanding was that the space between maniples was equal in breadth to another maniple...but that makes alot more sense if the gaps are only 'especially' wide compared to normal.

[TWFanatic]

Apparently Goldsworthy has never seen Braveheart.

[cmacq]

Right...

For example the Hastati and Principes Maniples close ranks just before contact.

If there was no reason to close, individual Maniples could then maneuver. This is also how I use the Manipular formation in EB, and it is particularly devastating as it forces the OpFor to deploy and comment to action. Thus, one may respond appropriately then exploit any perceived weakness. The greatest danger inherent in this type of formation is compaction from the flanks. With a high degree of compaction the Maniple would not work properly. However, I don’t think that EB actually accounts for that factor?

Just so you know, I believe that each Principes Maniple was composed of contubernium. These were squads of ten men, of whom nine were regular foot lead by one called the 10th man or Decanus (a bit akin to a corporal). Of the nine, aside from battle two men also served an organic logical and technical support role. When at full strenght, each Maniple was composed of about 12 contuberni placed in ranks ten men deep. Thus each file with 12 men across, had a man from each contuberni in the front rank, at any given moment.

This was why the width and length of the Maniple was somewhat standardized (20.4x17m), and how the Romans knew how many Legions were required to properly cover a given frontage (about 270m).



Hope this helps


CmacQ