by Horatius Piscinus on Mon Jun 07, 2004 10:27 pm
Salve Quinte Prime
It was an historical convention because it offered a tactical advantage. Historically it is the left flank that collapsed first in ancient battles. Attacking a man on his left, where he holds his shield, he tended to turn and fall on the next person in line. As the line began to compact on itself, its men were less able to use their weapons. Just the opposite happens by attacking from the right. The line begins to spread, which would not benefit a phalax so much, but for the Roman manner of fighting this tended to counter the natural tendency of men in combat to bunch together, leaving them then space to wield their swords more effectively.
In a Roman line the centurians were posted to the right of their maniple. This eased command and control of the line. The line would tend to move towards him as he directed, dress right. So again, applying pressure to the left of a maniple tended to move it onto itself, towards it centurian. Where as the centurian on the right, moving out faster, would tend to wheel the line towards the left, making it easier to assault the enemy's left.
M Horatius Piscinus
Sapere aude!