Quote Originally Posted by Quilts
Actually there are (at least one anyway ), and I tend to agree with him. If need be I'll track down the names for you.

Let's not forget that we're talking about a 20 yard gap between Maniples, that gap being covered by the Principis behind.

If it's deemed to be suicidal to leave the gap because you can be flanked, then I imagine the reverse would also be true ie- entering that very gap allows you to be flanked by the Principis, if you engage the Hastati in their flank, or by the Hastati, you are apparently flanking, if you faced up against the Principis. It works both ways.

Once the Principis were engaged, one would imagine that the Hastati would slowly back-water and switch places with the Triarii, if things were looking bad, or take a much needed rest before returning to replace the Principis and give them a breather.

My main reason for prefering this interpretation is simple.....it's simple. No requirement for troops to carry out complicated maneouvres during the din of battle etc.

Cheers,

Quilts
But then the hastati wouldn't be able to give too much forward pressure if they would have to fight on more sides at once.

2nd thing is that it is mentioned by the sources several times that the hastati fought first and THEN where rotated with the principes.and if the principes fill the gap you have a very strange front of lighter troops next to heavier ones next to light ones and so on.

3rd like Zaknafien said, there were pauses during the battles. It was more like taunting, provoking a charge, retreating and so on. Of course no one can exchange troops while they are engaged.

4th the gaps have the same size as the front of each prior century, so the posteriores can fill the gap easily.