Quote:
Originally Posted by Atgxtg
The passage doesn't mean that the gladius was necessarily used as a cutting weapon in the battle though, just that it was spaced out far apart so it could be. The open space formation was typical against the phalanx because of it's superior mobility. It was easy for the Legion to wrap around a flank. The Phalanx's big weakness was it's inability to maneuver quickly.
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Yes, true, but in this case, why does Polybius states that those 3 feet are needed to maneuver the shield and the sword.
And the maniples were used even where the phalanx was organized and on flat terrain. This was a choice.
But I nevertheless agree, it does not NECESSARILY means it was used as a cutting weapon.
Runequestement votre,
Kloster