The Thardic Republican Army

Legions at War

Jonathan M Davidson

Alternative Army: [Overview-Structure][Equipment][Cohorts in Peace][Legions at War][Accounts][Cohort Composition][Draft][Troop Table][Glossary]

Contents of this Section: The Army Muster | Marching Order | Combat Formations | Battle Tactics

Introduction

This section deals with how the army operates in times of war, whether on a nation versus nation basis, or a single Cohort versus a barbarian intrusion. The army has a rigid set of procedures and methods set out in "Ars Res Militaris et Imperatoria" the 'Rulebook' that all officers will study in military academy and implement in their unit. This section gives an overview of some of them.

1.0 The Army Muster

During peacetime, the majority of the republic's army is not mobilised. The peacetime army consists of youths undergoing their compulsory military service and a cadre of officers that form the basic command hierarchy of the army. Reservists fill out these units to take them to their battle strength (from 13 men to 58). However, at any given moment, the majority of reservists will be conducting their normal occupation, mainly that of managing their land holdings. Since these reservists, the most experienced of troops, form the majority of the army, as well as constituting the only cavalry and archery units, it is extremely important that they can be mobilised in times of need.

There are two mechanisms for mobilising the army, in full or in part, to a war footing.

Where there is a minor incursion, border dispute of prolonged civil unrest, or the equivalent, the Legatus of the province where the problem is occurring may call up his entire legion or any of the cohorts that constitute it. This call up can last for up to three tendays, after which the Senate's permission must be sought to extend the period of service. The Senate does not take kindly to Legati who abuse this privilege and will remove a Legatus who frequently issues call outs. Occasionally Tribertes take it on themselves to call out their reserves, whilst waiting for his Legatus' agreement.

In the case of major incidents, such as a serious border dispute with a neighbouring state, the Senate may decide that a general call out is in order. Only legions that are directly effected are called out to active service, the others are put on stand by. When the Senate takes this action it will elect on of its number, or a Legatus, or occasionally another patriarchal equestrian to take command. This person has the rank of "Imperitor" and enormous civil and military powers. He acts as the commander-in-chief of all the legions (except the Red Guard), and may give orders to any Legatus. He also acts with the full power of the Senate and may issue any decree, even enacting civil law or raising taxation, which they can. However, his power is limited in two ways, firstly his period in office is limited to a set time period, and secondly his actions must be justifiable in terms of his military objective. When the period of "Imperitor" is over the commander must surrender himself to the senate who will then hold a trial where he is assumed guilty of treason unless he can prove he acted properly. As yet, no Imperitor has tried to seize ultimate power; it is likely that he would be abandoned by his troop if he so tried. So ingrained in the patriarchal patronage system within the army that it would be unthinkable to owe allegiance to one man rather to one's sponsoring clan and the Senate. The last Imperitor was Kronas Elernin, Legatus of Ramala, in 712TR.

Regardless of the reason of the call out, as soon as the Cohort receives notification of the call out, it will hasten to call in its reserves. In the case of a general mobilisation, notices will be issued to every village and estate, town and city. The local civic administrator has a duty to make sure that the call out is heard by all. For more localised call outs the Manus Primus and Sexton will ride out to inform their Cohort's troops of the call out, whilst the Milites Linari will inform those that live more locally. When a reserve hears that he has been called up, it is a capital offence not to attend. A call out applies to all reserve troops regardless of any commitment to serve at any other time, and regardless of whether or not they have already served in that year. They may only be forced to serve for three months from the issue of the callout, unless ordered by an Imperitor who has the specific agreement of the Senate (by open vote) to so order them. However, most reservists will continue to serve if required, out of a sense of duty, the hope of glory and the possibility of war booty. The army pays the reservists at their standard rates during all the time that they are called up.

2.0 Marching

Contents of this Section: The Army Muster | Marching Order | Combat Formations | Battle Tactics

One of the Republic army's strengths is its mobility. The army is responsible for maintaining highways within the republic, with each Cohort maintaining its local highways. The Cohorts and their subsidiary units spend most of their days marching whilst on patrol or on exercises. In fact one of the major aspects of the musters, apart from equipment inspection, is training marchers and the building of practice marching camps.

Three basic aspects of marching are considered in this section: order of march, the baggage train and marching camps.

The marching order for a single cohort or the entire legion is given with in the Rulebook. The march formation is as ordered as the legions' battle formation, unlike most of their feudal neighbours whose troops march as a disorganised rabble. This organisation of the march allows the units to react to enemy encountered on the march, and reduces the chances of being caught out of formation or ambushed.

The baggage train of a cohort is of considerable size in the Republican Army, consisting of twelve mules and a horse-drawn cart. The official baggage train for an entire legion is huge; the Eidel Legion for example has about 250 mules, 25 carts, and many spare mounts.

The Legions are aware of the perils of camping unprotected in a potentially hostile environment, not only from human enemies but also from wild animals and non-human foes. They always ensure that, whenever they are away from their base, that they fortify their encampment. This serves both as a defensive measure as well as defining the limits of the camp, in a palpable as well as a physiological way. Whenever they are going to stay in one place, away from their base, for any length of time they will convert the marching camp into a temporary fort.

On a typical summer day with (fourteen hours of sunshine, sunrise at 5 am), in non-hostile territory, the marching day is likely to be as follows:

NB: The construction time for making a marching camp is figured in to the time available to march each day. The more complex the camp needs to be (which is dependent of the perceived risk) the less time is available for marching, and hence the slower the force will advance.

2.1 Marching order

The marching order for a single battle-strength cohort is the basis for all other patterns [gif | Graphical symbols key]. The Cohort will march as a single column. The Auxiliari Comparus that has been equipped and trained as skirmishers will form the vanguard of the Cohort. It will be spread out over the intended route of the march (further ahead than in the illustration which has been laterally compressed to save space) with the Compartes in the middle of their formation.

They are followed by the Tala (squadron of cavalry) who are able to rapidly respond to anything that the scouts ahead find. Between the Tala and the main body of the troops rides the Tribertes, in a position where he can react to dangers ahead whilst still being in the centre of his troops. Behind the Tribertes the three Maniples of infantry march in battle formation, followed by their mounted commanding Mani. Since they are already in formation, they can wheel to face any enemy with the minimum of hesitation and reorganisation.

Following behind main body of troops is the baggage train. Two columns of six mules each lead by a Milites Auxiliari of the second Comparus, followed by the Cohort's cart again driven by a Milites Auxiliari. In the case of combat these troops abandon the baggage animals and run back to their unit behind them. The remaining members of the second Comparus, that which have been trained as archers, will form a rear guard. They keep a look out for attacks from the rear, and they may reform and assist their fellows with a covering barrage of missile fire in case of the Cohort coming under attack.

Lastly, behind the rear guard will follow the camp followers. The composition of which will be very variable. They are officially discouraged, but most Tribertes will tolerate them as long as they do not interfere with the Cohort's duties. Typical camp followers include: servants of the equestrians, common-law wives of the troops, prostitutes, physician barbers, merchants hoping to buy up slaves, war booty etc.

An illustration of how a small detachment of a Legion, a "Vellexation" of three battle-strength Cohorts in marching formation is also given [gif]. It should be noted that the Auxiliari skirmishers are concentrated to the fore of the column; one Compari scouting the other staying in reserve (the third is assigned to the baggage train). Behind the Auxiliaries march the main body of the Vellexation, with each Cohort formed up as if it where marching on its own, but without their skirmishers and baggage. Next in line is the aggregated baggage train of all the cohorts. Lastly, there is a single Cohort forming a rear guard. Finally, the camp followers march behind in ragged order. A larger number of Cohorts would lengthen the column, but all the skirmishers and baggage train would still be lumped together, before and after the main body of Cohorts with a single Cohort acting as a rear guard.

2.2 The Baggage Train

The baggage train of even a small unit such as a cohort is of considerable size in the Republican Army. Each Tenacus and the Tala has its own mule, whilst each Comparus has two, to carry the unit's tent and communal gear. Once the officers and central Cohort overhead is taken care of the baggage train amounts to twelve mules, a draft horse pulling a cart, and a spare riding horse. In addition to the official provided animals some units or officers have their own baggage animals used for carry the luxuries they desire to travel with. Typically, a Cohort may have a couple of "private" mules, or a small handcart pulled by one of the equestrian's servants. The Legati's retinue is normally quite large and may add couple of carts, a few mules, and even in the case of the Shiran Legatus, a travelling carriage.

The equipment carries by the mules is somewhat variable, but typically a mules will be laden with the following equipment: a five man leather tent, cooking pot, cooking tripod, small keg for fresh water, a couple of leather buckets, a felling axe, large saw, adzes, rope and tackle block, a sack of feed and a proportion of the unit's rations. As can be seen the mule I quite heavily loaded, a task they are far more suited to than either oxen or pack horses (in terms of speed and efficiency of feed). A Cohort's cart will be loaded with the commanders tent (where the Tribertes sleeps, but also large enough for conferences), the Cohort's large bronze caldron, the unit's strong box, two-man saw, surveying equipment and physician's trunk.

All the animals that form the baggage train are owned by the army and are permanently stabled at the bases of the individual units. The army has its own mule (and horse) breeding stables which raise new animals for the legions. The majority of feed for the animals is grown on the legion's own estates, or is provided through the Tithe. Care of the animals is the responsibility of the Milites. One regular Milites Fabrica in each cohort will be given primary responsibility for the care, he will be assisted by other Milites as required. The job of mucking-out the stables is often seen as a punishment detail.

The baggage train is protected by being in towards the end of the line of march, and it is formed up in the middle of a temporary marching camp with the troops billeted around it.

If the cohort is marching far away from the camp, additional animals to carry fodder for the baggage train, and extra food for the troops are required. These will amount to four mules or horses if the Cohort is operating two days march from it base and the numbers will increase the further afield the Cohort goes. These additional animals are requisitioned from civilians on a piece meal basis.

2.3 Marching Camps and Temporary forts

There is no such thing as a standard Marching Camp. The topology and level of defences will depend on the numbers of troops involved, the terrain, and the likely risk of attack and the nature of the enemy. As with all things in the Republican Army, "Ars Res Militaris et Imperatoria" has essential guidelines.

The construction of a marching camp is a protracted business that may well take up as much of the day as the march itself. In fact, it is said that the tail end of the Eidel legion had not finished demolished the previous days camp, before the vanguard of the march was surveying the site of the next camp.

Generally, the commander of the force will start to look out for a campsite by early afternoon (if the force does not already know the terrain). Once a likely site is located, the ground will be quickly surveyed to ensure its suitability. Where the force consists of a Cohort, Vellexation, or Legion, the Compari and Tala will be posted around the site of the camp to act as pickets. Their duty being to keep any enemy at bay and to scout out the local lay of the land. Meanwhile the command tent will be pitched in the centre of the campsite, and the baggage animals will be unloaded. The tools required for constructing the camp will be located and distributed. Whilst the men are hard at work the officers will be laying out the camp site and marking the position of the defences.

Once work can start, the men will be detailed their tasks. If the camp is to be constructed in hostile terrain, especially under the watchful eye of the enemy, some of the Maniples present will form up, fully armed, between the site of the camp and the direction of possible attack. These Maniples duty is to guard the campsite and give the other troops time to form up in the event of an attack. The remaining Maniples (and Compari not assigned to picket duty) will start on the construction of an encirculating ditch and rampart. Though the labour will force them to strip both armour and weapons, they will ensure that these are kept ready.

Once the ditch and rampart is complete along with any other defensive works the construction troops will turn to the task of erecting their tents, and that of their peers, and tethering and hobbling the animals. Once the campsite is complete the Maniples are withdrawn into the camp and those troops forming the first guard duty will commence that task. The task of cooking the force's evening meal can also be started, often, especially in potentially hostile territory, the ration for the day is dump in to communal caldrons and cooking pots to form a thick and nourishing, abet revolting, stew. The pickets can be withdrawn into the camp and the food doled out when it is ready. By the time that the second guard duty commences, those men who are not on guard are expected to have retired to their tents.

Small Temporary Camp GIF

Normally a single Cohort will arrange their tents in a circle around the command tent, with the Maniples and Compari tents paired off. A typical encampment of a single battle strength Cohort is illustrated; which shows how even modest terrain features are utilised, in this case setting the camp within the meander of a rivulet. This rivulet has allowed the construction of a smaller than normal ditch whilst still enclosing a large area. The water will deter many wild animals from the camp, but reliance on it to defend against human attack would be a foolish thing - the guards will have orders to be extra vigilant in patrolling the boundary of the fort defined by the rivulet. The features marked are:

  1. Command Tent: The temporary headquarters of the Cohort. The Cohorts gear will be stored here overnight, and it is the sleeping quarters of the Tribertes. The tent is used by the Tribertes to brief the Mani and Sexton, and the daily guard lot (see below) is draw here every night.
  2. Officers Tent: The three Mani and the Sexton share this tent.
  3. Tala's Tent: The five Milites Tala share this tent, their horses are tethered close by.
  4. Tenacus' Tents: Each Tenacus, of five men, share a tent. Adjacent tents belong to the same Maniple. The Maniples are often arranged in order anti-clockwise around the circle.
  5. Demi-Comparus Tents: Either four or five members of a Comparus share each tent. A Comparus consisting of a pair of adjacent tents. The Comparus are normally sited nearest the camp entrance since they need the minimum amount of time to react to an alarm.
  6. The Baggage Train and Mounts: The Cohort's equines, cart, and bulky baggage is positioned to be as far as possible away from the entrance. The animals are tethered or hobbled to stop them from wandering off.
  7. The Defences: Show here is a typical V-shaped ditch with the spoil heaped up behind to form a bank. Upon the back are set the Cohort's pales (stakes) with the sharpened point orientated towards the ditch. Though this defence in not sufficient to preclude attack, it will slow the enemy sufficiently to allow the Cohort to arm and meet their enemy.

Where more than one Cohort forms the force, each cohort will pitch its tents in the same pattern and the Cohorts as a whole will be clustered into a circle. A whole legion will normally arranged in two concentric circles with the Legion's HQ and baggage animals forming the core. Wherever practical, the enclosing ditch and rampart is made as circular as possible, normally with two entrances. The larger the force the more complete the defensive works can be in the time available.

When the Cohort leaves a camp they careful dismantle it and refill the ditches, to deny the site as a base for the enemy. If the cohort where intending to stay encamped at that site they would spend the day completing the ditches so it encircled the whole camp, and felling the local timber to provide a proper palisade and enclosure for the horses. If the Cohort where to occupy the site as part of program to subdue their neighbouring lands (for example during the conquest of Eidel province) the camp could be turned into a temporary fort, with wooden huts instead of tents, within a tenday.

The most important element of the defence of the camp is not shown in the illustration. This is the guard. Each of the Maniples and Comparus provide for or five men each night to act as guards. Their off-duty colleagues replace those that are on guard one night on the following night; for example, the Tenacus within a Maniple take it in turn to perform the guard duty. The three Maniples and two Compari form five guard turns. The first turn starts as soon as the camp is complete and the last finishes at sunrise. The earliest two turn are longer in duration that those after mid-night. The length of the guard turns are approximate since to accurate measure of time is available to the Cohort, but generally speaking each turn will be between two and three hours in length. Random lots decide which units are to undertake which duty. The lots are drawn the evening before in the command tent.

The guards patrol the borders of the camp and its interior, on the look out for anything untoward. To be found asleep, or not alert, whilst on duty is a corporal offence. They are to raise the alarm at the first sign of anything that might be a threat. The auxiliaries are likely to be the first to arm, and they will scout out the nature of the threat. The remaining troops should form up in good order and sally forth to deal with the threat if appropriate.

3.0 Combat Formations

Contents of this Section: The Army Muster | Marching Order | Combat Formations | Battle Tactics

The "Ars Res Militaris et Imperatoria" has much to say on the subject of combat formations and the drill necessary to achieve them. The manual deals with small-scale formation used by a Cohort, and larger scale battlefield formations used by Legions and Vellexations. The following sections have some linked diagrams; the key to the troop-types graphics is required [gif].

3.1 Cohort Formations

Contents of section: Battle formation | Skirmish formation | March formation

The basis of Cohort formation is for the Maniples to form up in a continuous battle line (or "Linari") rather like a phalanx. This line formation is how the Milites Linari gained their names. Each Tenaci forms a column of the line, with the Milites Primus at the rear. The Compari and Tala form semi-independent units. On a cohort scale there are three principal formations; Battle formation, Skirmish Formation, and Marching formation.

3.1.1 Battle Formation

Small Cohort Battle GifBattle formation is normally adopted when the Cohort is fighting a large battle as part of the Legion or army as a whole. This compact form is also the basis of the standard defence formation when receiving a charge from horsemen or incoming missile file.

The principle mass of troops are the foot soldiers. Each Tenaci forms a column of troops with the Milites Primus in the rear-most position of each column. From here, he can see what is going on ahead of him, as well as being able to set his pike against a charge. The Tenaci are in pairs, the central two columns are formed from the 1st Maniple, the 2nd Maniple is to their right, and the 3rd Maniple is formed from the left-most pair of columns. The Mani forms up behind their Maniples. The Mani Primus, commander of the 1st Maniple, is in the centre of their line. He carries the Cohorts standard so that the unit can be identified in the heat of battle. Leading from the rear is the Tribertes Linari.

The two Compari form up in support of the line troops. The skirmishers take up position about 100 yards in front of the main line, their function is to harass enemy troops and slow any charge from them. The other Comparus, the archers, generally is formed up in close formation on the left wing (with the two rows offset so the back row can fire through the froont one). The archers are used to provide missile fire support to the Cohort, inflicting casualties on enemy troops as they close with the Cohort.

The Tala (cavalry) acts as a semi-independent body under the command of the Sexton. It is traditional to mass the Tala on the right wing to allow for an out flanking attempt against enemy infantry. The Tribertes can normally delay the attack of the Tala until he chooses. Nevertheless, once the Tala is committed to an action it is rare that the Tribertes can regain control of the Tala. As such the committed infantry officers regard the Tala as a once off shock tactic.

The Cohors spend about two hours a day in parade ground drill. Drills cover all the various formations and tactics that the Cohort is expected to perform according to the Rulebook, and the manoeuvres to change from on formation to another. Drill is continued until the troops can manoeuvre with their eyes closed (literally).

3.1.2 Skirmish Formation

Small Cohort Skirmish GifSkirmish formation is the one normally adopted where the Cohort is fighting on its own, or as a defensive formation against light troops or a enemy which forms up as a long thin line.

In this formation, each Tenaci is formed as a cluster of five. The four Milites Linari/Fabrica form a square with the Milites Primus behind them. The order of the Tenaci and officers remains unchanged with each pair of Tenaci forming the 3rd, 1st and 2nd Maniples from left to right. This preservation of order allows the Cohort to move between this formation and the Battle formation with the minimum of disruption. The right-hand couplet of each Tenaci and the Manus Primus fall back behind their fellows and the columns close up. This manoeuvre normally takes about two minutes. This ability to change the size and density of their formation has been used to stunning effect against enemies unused to the manoeuvre

3.1.3 March Formation

Small Cohort March GIF March formation is as ordered as their battle formation, unlike most of their feudal neighbours whose troops march as a disorganised rabble. The auxiliary Comparus of skirmishers scouts ahead of the cohort.

The main body of troops are formed up in the same order as their combat formations, except with each Tenaci forming a row rather than a column. The second maniple leads, followed by the first and third. As can be seen the formation is a simply a rotation through ninety degrees of their battle formation. If an enemy is encountered on the path ahead the troops will drop their packs, and will reel a double-quick march through ninety degrees to their right, every man then turns through a right angle to their left and readies their weapons. They are now formed up in battle order, ready to receive or initiate a charge. Whilst the infantry are manoeuvring from "march" to "battle" formation, it is the auxiliary's and the Tala's job to harry the enemy and prevent an attack. The cohort's ability to move between the two formations in under five minutes often allows them to attack an enemy which is totally unprepared.

3.2 A Legion's Battle Formation

As the rulebook points out the formation that a Legion should adopt for battle largely depends on the enemy the Legion faces and the terrain over which the battle is to be fought. However, the Rulebook does make recommendations. The key strategy points made are to try to:

Small Legion Eidel Gif

The Eidel Legion is illustrated in the standard formation for fighting on a flat plain against a mixed troop enemy. The key to the Legion's formation is the battle line of Maniples (2) drawn up from the majority of Cohors. The Cohort Commanded by Tribertes Primus is always positioned in the middle of the line. In front of this line is the combined Compari of skirmishers (1), one from each cohort. The cavalry Tala are also combined by type. The Tala Sagitorium (3) are formed up as a single on the right flank where they can easily by used to turn the flank of foot troops, or be sent to harass an enemy line under formation. The Tala Gravis (5) is formed up into a wing of heavy cavalry which is kept in reserve, either to turn the battle or to cover a retreat. One Tala (normally that of the legion's HQ's first Cohort) is except from being assigned to a wing, and instead it serves as the Legatus' body guard and messengers (8). The bulk of the archers are formed up on left wing (4), to provide missile fire support to the battle line. The Tala Sagitorium (3) provide the same function on the right flank. In the event that the Tala Sagitorium are drawn away from their wing position, a second battalion of archers (6) stands on the right wing, as a reserve, to plug this gap. The remaining Maniples of the Cohors (The Rulebook recommends that the reserves should be at least a third of the Legion's Maniples) along with any other troops form a strategic reserve under the direct command of the Legatus. The Legatus (8) is positioned centrally within the formation, in contact with the line troops commander, the Tribertes Primus. The four Mani Legati are assigned to command of the Tala wings and the archer battalions.

The size of the Legion is obviously variable, however, the general rules of battle formation given here will apply, but the number of units involved in each aspect will just be greater or lesser.

4.0 Battle Tactics

Contents of the Section: Legion Tactics | Cohort Tactics

Just as the Rulebook has a general standardised formation for the Legion and Cohort, it also has a standard battle plans to go with them. As with all standard tactics it has its advantages and disadvantages - every unit and man knows their role in the battle, but the clever enemy can use their knowledge of the Legions against it.

4.1 Legion Level Tactics

The battlefield tactics a legion will use are largely dependant on its formation, which in turn is dependant on the terrain and the enemy it faces. However, taking the example formation above for the Eidel Legion on a level plain facing a similarly mixed troop enemy, the general strategy is:

A favoured battle strategy when facing an enemy that consists largely of foot or heavy troops is to form the Maniples up in Skirmish formation with their Tala behind them and then to hold. The auxiliary compari can hassle the enemy with their missile weapons. Eventually the enemy will commit themselves to a charge against the thin line of Thardic troops they can see. When the enemy has gained enough momentum, the Linari cohorts close up to Battle formation leaving large gaps between each cohort and the Tala charge out through them (the battle line then closes up the gap between each cohort by contracting). The enemy now find themselves facing a face-on cavalry charge that they where not expecting. Many 'barbarian' armies have disintegrated and routed at this point.

4.2 Cohort Level Tactics

A single Cohort facing a similar sized enemy will fight in much the same way as a legion would. The Maniples forming a battle line supported by the skirmishers in front, the archers on one (or occasionally both) flank and the Tala in reserve to take advantage of any weakness in the opponents.

What follows is a list of some the standard tactics used by individual units of the Cohort. It is not particularly ordered, but it should give a few ideas on how to use a Cohort in small-scale combat, or how ther sub-units fight whilst part of a Cohort, Vellexation, or Legion. Tactics used by individual units on their own are quite different to those described here since many of these reply on the effect of massed troops.

The Maniples never move at a rate quicker than a fast jog, their equipment, armour and the need to stay in formation limits their speed. When the maniples charge an enemy, they start of at a slow jog. When they are within about 75 yards of the enemy they will each throw one of their light javelins at the enemy, in an attempt to disorientate them. Depending on their opponents action they may be halted by the Mani at this point, but mostly they will continue to close at a job and fire their second volley of javelins at about 40 yards from the enemy line. These javelins have a due purpose, to inflict casualties, and to render their opponents shields useless. Lastly, when they are within 15 yards of the enemy they will draw their swords. When they hit home, their first strike will be with their shields, using their momentum to try and knock the enemy backwards of balance, they will then attack with their sword. If the Maniples are counter-charged there may not be enough time to throw both javelins. In which case the javelins will be dropped by the first two ranks and their swords drawn instead. If possible the Maniples will move forward another five yards so the javelins do not trip them up. The rear two rank will throw their javelins into the enemy mass just before and just after contact to try and disrupt the enemies charge. If the Maniples are holding firm and they are charged by their opponents on foot, the front rank will draw their swords and face their shields against the charge (and if there is time pass their javelins to the man behind), whilst the rear ranks will shower the incoming force with javelins as they close.

If a Maniple is charged by a mounted unit a slightly different tactic is used. The Manus Primus in the last row of each Tenaci column will set his pike against the charge. Since the pike is quite long it will reach about three yards in front of the foremost rank. The front rank of the Maniple will overlap their shields leaving only the pike showing through. The second and third ranks of Milites will hold their javelin, angled upwards, over the heads of the first rank to deflect blows or missiles and to potentially spear the attackers. The forth rank will hold their javelin (and those of their colleagues) at the ready to shower the attackers with missiles as they close. This formation is known as the "Ahnugwn" (or "spiked dragon"). It takes a well trained Maniple about a ninety seconds to achieve this formation from standard battle formation. When used with the massed Maniples of several Cohorts the effect can be staggering. Many horsemen have turned back from their charge on being faced with a continuos line of shields, and pikes and javelins. Even if the men wish to continue the attack it is not unknown for their mounts to shy aside. Where a large force (eg a Legion) has been faced by a force mostly composed of horsemen, the Ahnugwn has been made formed up in the shape of a hollow square, with one or more Cohorts to a side and the auxiliaries on the inside. The horsemen have surrounded the square, but been unable to penetrate, whilst taking casualties form the archers inside firing over the heads of their colleagues.

When a Maniple, or battle line, is under attack from missile weapons from a unit to far away to be deterred by the Maniple's javelins, and the Maniples have been told to "hold" they will form a formation known as the "Hru" (rock giant). In this formation the columns close up so that their shields overlap. The front rank then kneels down behind their shield, the second rank then holds their shields, at an angle, over the heads of the front rank, inclined backwards to shield them as well. The rear ranks hold their shields over their heads. This formation presents to their opponents a solid structure of interlocking shields, virtually impenetrable by missile weapons. However, the main disadvantage is that it is the defending units have no mobility, not only can they not retreat or advance to attack, but even disengaging the formation to resume normal battle formation exposes most of the Maniple to missile fire without the defence of their shields. Some opponents have taken advantage of this lack of mobility, and difficulty in changing back to normal formation (and also the lack of view over the field of battle that the Milites Primus and Mani have) by charging the Maniples, especially their rear, with cavalry. This has lead to some disastrous losses in the Kuseme War. Several Tribertes are currently experimenting with defensive formations which are mobile, or which can be quickly and safely be changed to battle or "Ahnugwn" formation.

The Compari use simpler tactics. The skirmishers' duty is principally to annoy the enemy, to make them make a rash move, to scout out their positions and to conceal the positions of the Republic's troops. The skirmishers will individually run in to range of their missile weapons in the attempt to inflict light casualties, then feint at retreat, or rout. It the enemy pursues then the skirmishers will run between the gaps of the Maniples, leaving their pursuers to face the main battle line. The archers are mainly trained to fire at a high rate from a fairly static position. Their normal formation is to line up in two rows, offset one to another, so that the rear row can fire through the front row. It the unit has them available it will use their stakes to set up a defensive line in front of them, to slow down any would be attackers. A know trick (where the republican forces have control over the battlefield before hand) is to dig small pits with a stake buried in the base, and to cover the top with light brushwood. Many an enemy has charged the unprotected archers, to find themselves impaled on a spike instead (NB: this tactic is used by the Maniples to good effect as well).

The Tala Sagitorium, are unique on Harn for being mounted bow users. When they attack the Milites Tala places one arrow in their bowstring and holds more in his bow hand. They then advance at a canter. At about 100 yards they break into a gallop and fire 2-4 arrows. At about 50 yards they wheel, generally to the right (since a horse archer can only fire to his left), and gallops along the enemy front still firing. Alternatively, they reins in, skid-turn, and fires behind them as they retreat. This high mobility and ranged weapon use is feared by the Rethem and Kanday foes, but is of less use against barbarians who have developed similar tactics. The Tala Sagitorium, can and will, fight hand to hand against footmen. But their lack of any form of pole weapon means that they charges have little impact as compared to the Tala Gravis or Knights of the other kingdoms of Harn.

The Tala Gravis are heavy cavalry, in every sense of the word, they move at a trot and charge at a canter. The republic are trying to breed bigger and stronger horses for the Tala Gravis, but at the moment they are limited by the strength of their beasts. Their standard tactic is to line their mounts up with the enemy that they are to charge, kick their mounts in to full canter, set their spears for a charge and then charge home. Unfortunately they are so unwieldy on their small horses, that it is not unknown for a agile enemy to get out of their path. Once charging at full speed the Tala Gravis are unable to turn sharply, they have to slow down then turn. A few Milites Tala Gravis who have tried high-speed manoeuvres have found their mounts skidding away from them. A Milites Tala Gravis pined to the ground by their fallen mount, is easy prey for an nearby enemy.

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