Quote Originally Posted by Atilius View Post
No. I have absolutely no idea what you mean by "Scipio's reforms". Scipio is credited with introducing some tactical innovations, but not with restructuring the Roman army.
Isn't Scipio credited with transforming the Roman Legion from a pretty rigid 3-line manipular formation with a strict straight-ahead attack vector into a more flexible force based around the cohort capable of outflanking, double envelopments and semi independent maneourvre and engagement?

Also didn't he increase the standard size of his legions by about 10%?

Also didn't he introduce spanish cutlery? I mean thats pretty epoch defining isn't it?

I have just read a book called Scipio Africanus : Rome's greatest general by Richard A. Gabriel. Its a bit of hero worship: he ranks Scipio above Marius, which I can't swallow, although his criticism of Julius Caesar as (self-)over-rated is quite cogent.

For a lightweight work it makes a good case: Scipio's reform of the army in Spain is the biggest single step the Roman army took before Marius. He didn't invent the cohort (its first mentioned being employed by his uncle, so its still Scipionic) but he employed it to detach rear elements for independent manouevre, something not possible with the army at Cannae or Trasimene or Trebia. His system was adopted by political rivals like Flamininus (sp?) and seems to have beome SOP for the legions.