Caracalla And His Phalanx

[Valens]

During these times, many of the legions, especially the auxiliaries, were still armed with spears. True that Scipio is said to introduce the gladius to the legions and they were increasingly being used, but I think that you are still pitting the Roman pseudo-phalanx vs. a proper phalanx. In my scenarios I am speaking of a far more refined Roman warrior cohorts of later generations.

 

That the Romans primarily used the gladius at Pydna is well-noted.

 

Hmm, I was actually just assuming the Romans had adopted the standard manipular tactics by the time of Magnesia, but you could be right. Though, given that the commander of the Asian force was Scipio himself, I think my assumption was fair.

[Favonius Cornelius]

Ah ok...in fact I think you are right about the gladius, I remember Livy talking about Macedonians freaking about gladius wounds heh.

 

Another thing to consider would be body armor, which would be vital to pushing forward into a forest of pike. If they just had the simple chest square of the old manipular legions, that is a far cry from the protection of chainmail or the later banded.