Originally posted by GottschalkI was reading about those pikes recently. They worked only in formation and with flank support, but for holding ground they were amazing.
Hey, guys. Long time.
The Greeks had used the phalanx, a formation in which there were typically ten ranks in depth. The front few could actually fight (their spears being long enough) but they rear ranks provided immense shock value by placing their shields in the backs of the men in front of them and driving with their legs.
My understanding is ...[text shortened]... ing? I've still only played the Medieval game -- in fact, I just drew Aquitaine again.
GBW
Originally posted by treetalkWhich fort did you bounce off this time?
My troops have announced they will no longer attempt to storm fortifications.
I, their never-learns-from-previous-mistakes ruler, have no hair left and will retire to a monastary ...
I like Carthage's flag. It looks like a surrendering woman 🙂.
A bit of trivia for you all:
A reportedly effective anti-elephant weapon was the pig. Pliny the Elder reported that "elephants are scared by the smallest squeal of a pig" (VIII, 1.27). A siege of Megara during the Wars of the Diadochi was reportedly broken when the Megarians poured oil on a herd of pigs, set them alight, and drove them towards the enemy's massed war elephants. The elephants bolted in terror from the flaming squealing pigs (Aelian, de Natura Animalium book XVI, ch. 36).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_elephant
Originally posted by AThousandYoungThe panicked elephants would also rampage over the friendly army's own ranks. Must have been demoralising to have a beserk elephant stampeding next to you. Fried bacon for the victors after the battle ended as well.
A bit of trivia for you all:
A reportedly effective anti-elephant weapon was the pig. Pliny the Elder reported that "elephants are scared by the smallest squeal of a pig" (VIII, 1.27). A siege of Megara during the Wars of the Diadochi was reportedly broken when the Megarians poured oil on a herd of pigs, set them alight, and drove them towards t ...[text shortened]... lian, de Natura Animalium book XVI, ch. 36).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_elephant
I don't have some nice elephants to call my own but the Romans did use them occasionally.
The armoured ones the successor states used, with ears painted red, must have been quite a sight….