[Marius VS Sulla]

Difficult without a given ''terrain'' and the importance of the battle. It would be actually reduced to a puzzle in characterology or one for a headhunter.

 

I'd go for Sulla as the better strategist and the one who would take advantage on the enemy's slightest errror without mercy.

[Messengers, Intelligence And Information System]

I once heard someone say that the Romans used a kind of 'morse code' from watchtower to watchtower, though it seems not likely to me that they could have built the next watchtower always in sight of the former one. A fairy tale?

[Mithridates "the Great"?]

I agree with xtreme. see joseph conrad's novel: 'heart of darkness'

[Messengers, Intelligence And Information System]

Something I always wondered about, considering the dimension of the Roman Empire, is how the 'Roman Post Office' worked, especially for the legion.

 

During Hadrians time, for example, how long did it take to send a message from Roma to Londinium?

 

Was there an accurate intelligence/messenger system, and if, how was it organised in those days?

 

Was there a 'real-time' information system, e.g about an on-marching enemy, and thus a major advantage for the Legions to rely upon?

[Military Styles]

I 'd say Late Republic, (e.g. Lucullus, Pompeius, Caesar) the army then seems to me a truly Roman one, with all the virtues that had made it so great.

[Greatest Roman Innovation/Improvement]

I 'd say the Roman Republic was the first really working political system, and it has, at least basically, been adopted all over the world.

[Rome's Biggest Military Disaster]

Rome's worst defeat was not the Teutoburger Wald fiasco-- i.e. not in military terms, but it certainly was the worst one for Octavian's ego, and it found its way into literature. On the other hand, modern Germany made a propaganda victory out of it (the 'Arminia battle'). Probably these two combined account for the 'popularity' of the varus battle as Rome's worst one. Then I 'd even prefer Gergovia ;-)

[Who's Who]

Maybe somebody can help me> Who was L. Marcius Philippus (portrayed on a coin)?

[Dogs And Stirrups]

Can anybody indicate where in the commentarii belli gallici the war dogs are mentioned?