Quote Originally Posted by Alexanderofmacedon
Yes, I'm sure plans were formulated before battle. I think barbarian generals were probably some of the most inspiring. I just feel from the way barbarian people were that they would be.

What I often wondered is why armies were allowed to retreat so easily. I'll go back a little farther to the time of Alexander the Great here.

At the battle of Gaugamela almost 3/4 of the casualties came from cavalry chasing down fleeing infantry. If the Persians had so many men could they spare to put a few regiments of the most loyal archers a ways in the rear of the main army? If the army retreated they were shot down by there own archers. Now of course this would be told to the men before the battle, but I think it would work. If they didn't flee the Persians could have possibly inflicted casualties on the Macedonians that would be fatal to the Macedonian army later.
Read the Virtues of War by Pressfiled. It gives a great perspective of this battle.