The fourth factor in battle is the role played by auxiliary services. The Roman alternative to the deep hoplite formation was to advance in the familiar lines we’ve read about. The propose of this structure was to make reinforcements available to relieve the tired troops on the front line. This has been clearly stated by Livy and others. We’ve all seen the checkerboard manipular formation with gaps a maniple wide in between the units to be filled where necessary, but it’s never been clear from the history how the Romans were able to maneuver fresh troops into position during battle. Gaps are required for positioning and the fresh troops have to get into position to replace the tired ones. Let me suggest how this could have been done.
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