Roman Quinquirex (or however its spelled) question

[JeffSteel]

Now, the unit description of the hastati, princepeis, and triarii talk about how the Roman armies marched in three rows with gaps in between, and I was just wondering if I'm picturing it correctly. To illustrate what I'm thinking, I quicky came up with an (admittedly craptastic) diagram:



H=Hastati, P= Princepeis, T= Triarii

Is this basically what was going on?

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Yes, basically, bear in mind Hastati and Princepes have the same size maniples and there are the same number of maniples of each in the legion.

[Maeran]

That is how I interpret it too. Except I tend to form the Hastati as a slightly thinner, but solid line.

This is because I've read about Scipio's (I think?) order to 'open' up the maniples as a counter for elephants, plus the gaps are only needed in the posterior ranks to allow the safe withdrawal of the Hastati.

You could argue for the velites retreating though the line I suppose, but a solid line is better in my opinion for the initial clash.

Does anyone know of any sources that support or disprove this possibility?

Also, what of the flanks? Assuming (and I know it's an assumption) that the allied soldiers are arranged as the Romans are, isn't there a Principe strong and Principe weak side? And the same for the Hastati?

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

It's an open first line. If it isn't then the princepes will have trouble passing through the Hastati as well.

I don't understand what you mean about a strong and weak side. The velites and cavalry covered the flanks though.

[Rilder]

And didn't the romans sort of feign retreat to give the idea that there enemies were advancing but were actually just moving forward into fresher troups.

[antisocialmunky]

I don't think it was a formal 'feigned retreat,' more of a tactical withdraw for the part where the both the Hastati and Principles withdrew behind the Triarii to push them forward ala Hoplite tactics.

[Maeran]

It's an open first line. If it isn't then the princepes will have trouble passing through the Hastati as well.

I don't understand what you mean about a strong and weak side. The velites and cavalry covered the flanks though.

What I meant by a weak and strong flank is this

Assuming a chequerboard formation

Velite_______ H__________H_________Velite
Cav_____P_________P_______________Cav
Alae?_______________T (spread out)___Alae?

The left here is strong in Principes but weak in Hastati, the right is the opposite.
This is a result of equal quantities in a strict chequerboard arrangement. Which is why I think the line closed formation into a solid line.