Calling Experts on Roman Combat:

[Jon Metters]

I was thinking about making a dio of a roman testudo approaching a line of barbarians.

BUT then I read that the romans only used the testudo during sieges - and not in open combat.

Can anybody confirm or deny this?

Help!

Jon Metters

 

[vergilius]

I know they were used to break the lines of the enemy. Knowing the tactics of most barbarians there wasn't a real line of troops in the open field (not like the romans used anyway). so I guess they mostly used it to get closer to ramparts, wallsn earthworks etc.

 

[Wlas]

A siege would be the most appropriate use of the testudo since maneuverability was very limited. Hand to hand fighting extremely difficult and the legs were exposed. They used the testudo at Carrhae in the open and paid the price.

 

[Einion]

I'd suggest you ask on MedRom.

Einion