[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Stealhead

I agree to some extent about the Romans. However I'd give credit more towards their outstanding (in most cases) military discipline without it the gladiolus would have been useless. Their engineering capabilities also where second to none. I mean to build a line around a another line. I love it surround us you say? Well we will simply surround you surrounding us surrounding you! Ha recursion that you barbarians.

The gladius is an excellent example of an army choosing the ideal overall weapon as the standard arm. If the Celts had had similar or superior military discipline or the Germanics well different story.

Of course the Germanic ambush that wiped out the 13th illustrated that when in disorder the Romans could be bested.

AHEM! The three legions that were wiped out under Varus in The Teutoberg Forest were (Legio XVII, Legio XVIII, and Legio XIX. The Legio XIII that served under Julius Caesar in Gaul and crossed the Rubicon en route to Rome with him survived until well into the fifth century AD. After the disaster of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in AD 9, the legion was sent as reinforcements to Augusta Vindelicorum (Augsburg), and then to Vindonissa, Raetia, to prevent further attacks from the Germanic tribes. 'A harsh lesson indeed' as it is one of the defining battles of history; Germany went its own unLatinized way- eventually declared unrestricted submarine warfare-twice; causing poorly modified submarine games... and here we are!!! discussing it! Thankyou Varus! wiki