Quote Originally Posted by MastaSpoofa
So, where polybian triarii not the men who held the line? I dont understand why, if they were the safegaurd of the legion, to hold the enemy until the legion could regroup, I dont know why they would choose to allow for more mobility. Please explain if you have the time. (I lack any knowledge but it doesn't seem logical.)
The hastatii and principes were the linemen. The hastatii wore down the enemy a bit in preparation for the principes, who were the men who held the line as far as I know. They only broke out the triarii when the situation was somewhat dire; they even had a saying - "To have to go to the triarii" (or something like that) - meaning the situation is bad.