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The Medieval Legions (Decentralization of the state (The role of lordship…
The Medieval Legions
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The armies
Rome
In very rare circumstances would the Romans organize themselves in the traditional phalanx formation. Sabin, 4
Typically battles in which the Roman legions fought enemies equal to themselves would last around two or three hours. Sabin, 5
What gave the Romans a significant edge over the other armies of the Mediterranean that were comprised of heavy infantry was their unmatched maneuverability. This maneuverability can in turn be attributed to the manner in which the Romans arranged their battle lines. These lines were numerous and could arranged into a number of different formations depending on the situation. Sabin, 7-8
Up until Constantine's reforms the Romans invested very little into creating a force that could patrol the boarders of the Empire; "there were structural flaws in the Constantinian reorganization of the army. Constantine divided the Roman army between limitanei, who policed the frontiers, fending off minor incursions, and the armies of maneuver held in the interior which could crush major attacks...this involved abandoning a preclusive strategy on the frontiers in favor of containment... Because of the need for mobility the armies of maneuver developed an unhealthy emphasis on cavalry." France, 3-4
Frank
Germanic influence
The Germanic Barbarian might carry a sword or a long spear, but more often they carry javelins with a short iron tip. The footmen typically are never armoured but if they are then it is only lightly. They will always have a shield and it the most valued part of their arsenal or armaments. Herlihy 23
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Merovingian
Carolingian
In the early days of the Carolingian state the military, "developed the heavily armoured cavalrymen who later generations called 'the knights.' Their characteristic tactic was the shock effect of the mass charge. This heavy cavalry enabled the Carolingians... to conquer the peoples around them and so to establish a mighty 'Empire' under Charlemagne." France, 7-8