ARMA PACIS FULCRA The Art of Embattailing AN ARMY. O R, THE SECOND PART OF AELIANS' TACTICS. Containing the Practice of the best Generals of all Antiquity, concerning the forms of Battles. Wherein all Motions requisite to be used in a Battle both for offence and defence are fully expressed. Necessary and useful for all Martial Spirits, that desire to have knowledge in the Art Military. Englished and Illustrated with Figures and Observations upon every CHAPTER. By Captain JOHN BINGHAM. LONDON: Printed for RALPH MAB. 1631. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL SIR HUGH HAMERSLY, Knight, one of the Aldermen and Colonels of the Honourable City of LONDON, and Precedent of the Martial Company, Exercising Arms in the Artillery Garden in LONDON. TO CAPTAIN HENRY WALLER, NOW CAPTAIN OF THE SAID COMPANY. AND TO ALL THE REST OF THE Worthy Captains and Gentlemen of the said Company. Captain I. B. wisheth such valour and experience, as may make them victorious against all sorts of Enemies. Worthy Gentlemen: THese my last endeavours upon Aelian, I purposed to have kept to mine own private use, and not to have presented them to the view of the world. But now being to depart from you, and toiourney into a far Country, and finding your kindness and love toward me such, as I was not with any reason to expect, I altered my mind, and having nothing else to offer unto you, I resolved to make this a monument of my thankfulness to you, and a testimony of my desire to do you the best service I am able. For my pains herein, I leave them to the judgement of any learned Reader; for the profit of the Treatise, I say no more but this, it containeth the practice of the best Generals of all antiquity concerning the forms of Battles. And whereas many hold opinion, that it sorteth not with the use of our times, they must give me leave to be of another mind: Indeed our actions in War are only now a days and sieges oppugnations of Cities; Battles we hear not of, save only of a few in France, and that of Newport in the Low-Countries. But this manner will not last always, nor is there any Conquest to be made without Battles. He that is Master of the field, may dispose of his affairs as he listeth; he may spoil the Enemy's Country at his pleasure, he may march where he thinketh best, he may lay siege to what Town he is disposed, he may raise any siege that the Enemy hath laid against him or his. Neither can any man be Master of the field without Battle, in ordering whereof, that General that is most skilful, seldom misseth of winning the day: experience of former times clears this. I should exceed the compass of an Epistle if I brought the examples, which serve to this purpose. Now for the skill of ordering Battles, it is not to be learned out of the practice of our days, wherein when we come into the field, we make shows, and musters rather, then observe any forms of Battles for use: Battles must not be always of one figure. The wise Generals of ancienter times, fashioned their battles according to the range, which they saw the Enemy had before taken up. The place often maketh an alteration in that form, which otherwise would serve to our purpose. He that is acquainted but with one form, if he be forced to change that upon the sudden, disordereth his troops, and bringeth all into a confusion. The knowledge of the forms of battles being then so necessary for a General, this little Pamphlet must needs be welcome to them that desire the managing of fields, and the command of Armies. For here have you all forms expressed, together with their use; so that the General that is acquainted with the practice of these precepts shall not be to seek to make transmutation of his battle, into what form soever necessity shall require, & that upon the sudden. As for them that hold, that great Ordnance will not admit any of these ancient forms in our days, I hold that for a dream, and not worthy the answering; since the invention of great Ordnance, we never read of any form of battle disordered thereby; some slaughter hath been made by great Ordnance, and the Army that suffered by great Ordnance, hath been forced the sooner to join with the Enemy; when the Armies are joined, great Ordnance hath and must sit still, and look about as an idle spectator, serving for no other use, then for a pray to him that gameth the field. Now for small shot, it succeedeth in the place of the lightarmed of antiquity. By them a Battle may be broken, if they be not repressed, and themselves cut off in time. But what is said of them that may not be said of Bows and Arrows? The greatest fields that we gained against the French, were gained only by our Archery. To say nothing of other Nations, that had the skill of shooting: so that no reason can be alleged why the forms of Battles used by antiquity for advantage, may not be as well used in our days. Howsoever the matter standeth, my desire is, that the Treatise may with your favourable acceptance bear your names in the Front thereof. Not because I think it worthy of your Patronage, but for that I would have it appear to the world, how much I esteem of your kindness (as I said) and of your love, which you expressed toward me in my taking leave of the City. The Lord of hosts have you in his keeping. Your servant, as heretofore, to do you service. JOHN BINGHAM. Cap. 30. Plagiophalanx or the Brode-Fronted Phalange Orthiophalanx or the Hearse Loxe-Phalanx or the uneven fronted Phalange The Front THE TACTICS OF AELIAN, OR THE ART OF EMBATTAILING ARMIES. The broad-fronted Phalange, the deep Phalange, or Hearse, and the uneven-fronted Phalange. CHAP. XXX. (1) PLagiophalange, or the broad-fronted Phalange, is that, which hath the (2) length manifoldly exceeding the depth. (3) Orthiophalange, or the deep Phalange (now commonly called the Horse) is that, which proceedeth by a (4) wing, having the depth much exceeding the length. In general speech every thing is called (5) Paramekes, which hath the length more than the depth; and that which hath the depth more than the length (6) Orthion: and so likewise a Phalange. The Phalange (7) Loxe, or uneven-fronted, that is, which putteth forth one of the wings (which is thought fittest) towards the Enemy, and with it begins the fight, holding off the other in a convenient distance, till opportunity be to advance. NOTES. THis Chapter and the next, seem not to hold their right place: for being set before the manner how to wheel, and likewise before closings, and inserted betwixt the motions of the a Battle. Phalange (to which motions, or to one of them, the manner of wheeling and closings appertain) they interrupt the method or orderly handling of the said motions; which method Aelian curiously observeth through his whole Book. Besides, Aelian himself, after a manner pointeth out the true place of them, in that in the 24 Chapter, rehearsing shortly the appellations or words of Military discipline; he placeth these forms after Induction and Deduction: I take it therefore, that their proper place is after the 37 Chapter, the rather, because all the forms of Marches from thenceforth handled, are either Squares of the one kind or other, or else spring out of these Squares. I b Cap. 1●. noted before that there are three kinds of Squares; one, that hath a longer front than flank; another, that hath a longer flank, than front; the third, that hath the front and flank equal. Of the third Aelian speaketh in the 42 Chapter, of the first and second in this Chapter: of these two therefore I will treat in order. And first I will handle the Names, than the Use, lastly the Manner how to transform one into another. The first is called 1. Plagiophalanx, or the broad-fronted Phalange.) The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is often interpreted for oblique; which signification it cannot have here; the oblique Phalange being in this Chapter termed by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and yet distingnished from the Plagiophalanx. They that translate Plagiophalanx, the transuerse or overthwart fronted Phalange, agree better with Aelians' meaning, because it meeteth the enemy with a front transuerse, and drawn out in length, and directly opposite against him. I have rendered it the broad fronted Phalange, as more fitting the English tongue: It may also be called the long-fronted Phalange. For breadth (I have remembered it before) and length of a Phalange are all one: In this sense is the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used by Arrian, being applied to the manner of bearing of a Pike. He telleth, that Alexander transported his Army over the river Ister, to invade the territory Arr. l. ●. 4. C. of the Geteses; and hath thus, The number of those that passed the river with Alexander, were about 1500 horse, and 4000 foot. They passed in the night, and landed where the Corn was high, which was the cause that their arrival was not descried. As soon as the morning appeared, Alexander led them through the Corn fields; Commanding the foot, that bearing down the Corn with their Pikes held a thwart, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, they should march into the Champaign. The manner of their bearing of Pikes (as I interpret it) was this; They took the Pikes in the midst with both their hands, and so bore them out, not with the points forward, but cross and parallel the front of the Phalange, that the file leaders with one joint force might ledge and bear down the high-growne Corn, and make easier passage for those that followed. If they had carried them out slope, or oblique (which is the other signification of the word) it had been no more, than the particular force of every man a part, that held his Pike sloping; besides that, they would have been entangled in the Corn; whereas the bearing of them cross parrallell with the front, was the joint force of so many fileleaders, as did thrust forward against the Corne. Therefore as when the Pike is borne in full length cross ●. 9 § 72 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & § 77. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. the front of the battle, the posture of the Pike is said to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, so is a Phalange termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that hath a front stretched out in even length, and opposed against the even front of the adverse battle of the enemy. 2. The length manifoldly exceeding the depth.] Aelian sets not down expressly any proportion of the excess of the length above the depth, only he saith, it must manifoldly exceed the depth: We must take it then, that the excess of the length must be at the least threefold; for thrice falls into the appellation of manifold. A Macedonian fourfold Phalange may justly challenge 4. Phalange Macedonian consisting of 1634. pikemen Phalangarch is the fourth part of a Phalange. this name, being 1024 men in length, only 16 in depth. And likewise a Phalangarch led severally and by itself, as having 256 men in length, but 16 in depth. The rest of the bodies of the fourfold Phalange, till you come down to a Pentecosiarchy, albeit ranged by themselves, are likewise Plagiophalanges, or broad-fronted bastacles. A Pentecosiarchy hath only twice so many in front, as in flank (as 32 in front, 16 in flank) and therefore 4. Pentecosiarchy hath in it 512 men. The ordinary depth is 16. cometh not under the name of a broad-fronted Phalange. So that, let the battle be as long as you list, having but the ordinary depth, it still is accounted a Plagiophalange. When it is but twice so long in front as in flank, it cannot deserve that name, but it is to be termed rather a Square of ground, because the flank in a square of ground taketh up as much ground as the front. To the Battaile-broad-fronted, is next added the Phalange, called 3. Orthiophalange, or Hearse] which albeit it have the length and depth unequal, as hath the Plagiophalange, or broad-fronted Phalange, yet must the depth manifoldly exceed the length, which is contrary in the Plagiophalange. This saith Aelian proceedeth in 4. A wing.) To proceed in a a Aelian c. 36. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Leo c. 9 § 77. Aelian c. 9 Wing is to march on with a parcel or one body of the Army, namely with a certain number of files (as with a a A body of four files. Tetrarchy, b A body of ● files. Taxis, or c A body of 16 files. Syntagna) and to follow with the rest in like manner, so that the whole army holdeth no proportion of length or breadth to the depth. That which is called by Aelian Orthiophalanx, is called by b Diodor. Sic. l. 20. Diodorus Siculus, and by c Arr. l. 1. 3. C. Arrian, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a deep phalange, because the form of it ariseth out of the depth of the embattailing, as I have noted upon the seventh Chapter. This kind of march the Greek writers express by the words of leading d Xenoph. hist. Grac. l. 6. 558. A. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and e Arr. l. 1. 14. C. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, in a wing; whereas the other kind with a large front (I mean the broad-fronted Phalange) is said to be led f Xenoph. hist. Grac. l. 6. 558. A. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and g Arr. l. 1. 14. F. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and h Arr. l. 1. 14. C. in a Phalange, and i Arr. l. 1. 14. B. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, k Leo c 17. §. 26. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in front, l Leo ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in extension of breadth. The words I recite to help them, who although they be skilful in the Greek tongue, yet are not so well acquainted with the Tactickes, and may easily mistake, or not understand the signification, if they be not forewarned. But because I have before in my notes upon the seventh Chapter touched this matter, I will here use an example, or two, only to explain, and to give light to both forms. m Arr. l. 1. 14. Arrian reporteth, that when Alexander was to pass the river Granicus, on the further side whereof the Persians had embattled themselves in a n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. broad-fronted phalange to hinder his passage, Parmenio one of his eldest and best Commanders came unto him, and gave him this counsel; Sir, said he, Consider the Persians are ready to encounter you on the other side; my opinion is, you cannot gain the passage without exceeding danger: both because your phalange cannot be led o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉▪ in front (that is, in a broad front) by reason of the many and sundry depths that are to be seen in the River, and of the height and steepness of the banks, as also for that the enemy's horse ordered in a p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 phalange, will be ready to charge us, whilst we disorderly and q 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. wingwise (which is the weakest kind of fight) endeavour to scamble up the banks. Thus Arrian using the words before recited, and noting the difference of both the forms. s Leo c. 17. §. 26. Leo hath the like passage, instructing his General how in the night to surprise an Enemy in his lodging. His words are these in effect; When you march, saith he, to the intent that no tumult or confusion of noise be heard, nor the stretching out of your battle into a great length breed error and inequality in marching; and hereupon cries and loud commands arise, so that the Enemy may easily perceive the access of your Army; It behoveth you to march not in t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. front, that is, in a u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. large extension of breadth, but x 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. wingwise, that is to say, in a y 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. deep form of Embattailing; as if one file should follow in the rear of another, observing still to maintain the depth, or x ●n a Horse. thickness of the battle. His meaning is: That in the night an Army ought not to be led in a broad-fronted Phalange (because the places are ways through which you are to march, are sometimes large, sometimes straight, sometimes rough, sometimes plain, and so you cannot preserve an even front, but must change the form and disorder it) but in a Hearse or deep Phalange, which will fit all passages, and in the greatest inequality of way maintain the form of the battle entire. And so much of the signification of the words marching in a Wing, and marching in a Phalange. 5. Every thing is called Paramekes.] It is to be observed, that there is a difference between Paramekes and Heteromekes: I thought good to note it, because Aelian in diverse places mentioneth both. Paramekes is the figure, according to Aelian, wherein the length many times exceeds the depth; it may be Heteromekes, albeit it be but twice as long as deep. I am not ignorant that a Euclyd. l. 1. definite. 30. Euclyde nameth all four sided figures, that have right angles, and unequal sides, Heteromekes. But Aelian, though he apply Heteromekes sometimes to the b Aelia. c. 18. 38. 46. front, sometimes to the flank, yet he gives no more than a double proportion either of front to flank, or flank to front. 6. Orthion.] Albeit the word Orthium properly signify things rising in a height, yet in military discourse it is applied to the dimension of the depth Aelian hath afterward 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. of a battle, and not of the length. Here a Phalange is termed Orthia, and in Leo in the place last by me cited, mention is made of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, ● deep embattailing: and in Xenophon c 〈…〉. l. a. 32. D. ●●●. ●. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a Company stretched out in dep●●, 〈…〉 Polyen also, and Arrian, and Appian. d Polyen. l. ●. 549. ●. ●. Polyen hath beside, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, for an army, that is cast into a great depth, and into a narrow 〈…〉 Therefore, as Paramekes signifieth the length of the front; so Orthion signifies the depth of the flank of any battle ordered, as is aforesaid. Thus much of the names of the two battles: It remains to show the Use of them, and how one may be transformed into the other. The Plagiophalange, or broad-fronted battle bringeth most hands to fight with conveniency, and therefore is accounted the better form; and, as near T●● use of the broad-fronted Phalange, and of the Hearse. as opportunity of ground would give leave, the ancient Generals principally affected, and sought to put this form in ure: It hath the commodity to overfront the adverse battle, and is safe itself from overfronting, unless the Enemy bring a greater multitude than you have to over-match your Army. The Macedonian Phalange was for the most part of this form, as all the fields Alexander fought evidently declare; So ordered he his troops at Granicus, so at Issos', so at Gangamelos, so in other places, if the ground would serve. This Caution notwithstanding was observed, that the depth held proportion with the length; otherwise the length profiteth not so much, as the thinness of the depth hurts, by giving means to the enemy to break through, and put the adverse battle in a rout. I have noted it before out of e Leo c. 14. §. 10●. Leo. The Hearse, or deep Phalange, was thought the weakest kind to fight in. f Arr l. 1. 14. Parmenio, one of the chiefest Commanders Alexander had, disinherited it (as I have showed a little before.) g Xenoph Cyrop. l. 6. 167. B. Cyrus' the elder, in the embattailing of the Egyptians, derided it; yet cannot the form of the broad-fronted Phalange be so exactly taken up, but that necessity will sometime force the other. In strait places it hath been often used: So h Arr. l. 1. 36. C. Darius in the battle of Issos', by reason of the straightness of ground, was forced to this form: So Bo●il●ar the Carthaginian, was fain in a strait place to make a narrow front of his phalange, and to extend it in depth. And d Liu. l. 46. 112. A. Acilius Glabrio the Roman Consall, in the straits of Thermopyle against Antiochus: and e Liu. l. 38. 215. C. P. Scipto in Spain against the Illergets. Therefore in large grounds the first form is to be chosen, in narrow and rough places the other. The Hearse is also fit for Marches, because in a March you are assured to meet with variety of ground; sometimes with woods, sometimes with bushes, sometimes with straight ways, with rivers, with hills, with pits, with bridges, with ditches, and such like impediments, so that the front of your broad-fronted phalange must needs be dissolved; whereas no difficulty of ways can hinder the passage of a f Ael. c. 45. Hearse, the front whereof may be narrowed (according to the ground you march in) as you list. g Arr. l. 1. 2. B. Alexander being to lead his Army against the Thracians, that had planted themselves in the mount Aemus, was ●●ine to narrow the front of his phalange, according to the way that led up to the Mount: The same did h Xenoph hist. 〈…〉 6 ●o●. D. Agesilaus passing through the straits of Mantina; the History is by me recited before in my notes upon the 26 Chapter i Polyen. l. 5. ●●3. §. 1. Panimenes likewise leading his Army through Pho●is toward ●hebes, and finding that the Enemy had taken and possessed a place called Philo●aeoton, that had two straits leading toward it, one of which the Enemy held with a guard; casting is troops into a Hearse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, making the bulk of his Army slender, and ●it to march, shaped himself to the right hand, as though he meant to hold on to that passage. The Enemy therefore leaving the left hand straight, which they had in guard, ran with all speed to the right hand to stop his passage; but he taking the opportunity, sped hastily to the left, and conveyed his Army through without danger. Many like examples of Hearses accommodated to straight ways, where a broad-fronted Phalange cannot march, are to be found in Histories. The Orthiophalange or Hearse was also much●sed in an ascent against a hill which the enemy possessed: and in this sense are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deep Companies takes in the Greek writers, especially when a whole Company is put into a file, and 3 or 4 or more files laid together to make an Orthiophalange, in which form they used to mount up against hills. Many examples be in heir Histories of beating off Enemies from hills in this form. a Xenoph. Cyrop. l. ●. 71 D Cyrus' the elder used it against the Chaldaeans; b Xenoph. d'exp. l. ●. 3●0 D. Xenophon against the Carducans'; c Xenoph. d'exp. l. ● 324. E. Cherisophus in passing the river Centrites, which river divideth the mountains of the Carducans' from Armenia: the Grecians against the Mosynecans, that inhabited certain Mountains which the Grecians were to mount. e Arr. l. 4. 95. ●. Ptolomey against the d Xenoph. d'exp. l 5. 3●3. A. Indians, that embattelled themselves upon a mountain to resist the invasion of Alexander. And a notable example of an Army ascending against a Mountain, is described by f Xenoph. d'exp●d. l. 4. 340. Xenophon, in the fourth book of the ascent of Cyrus; Herelateth that the Cholcans' had taken up a high Mountain, and there imbattelled their Army to the intent to stop the passage of the Grecians in their return out of Parsia: The Grecians at the first ordered themselves into a Phalange, (a broad fronted battle) meaning in that form to make their way. But afterwards the Chieftains calling a Court, advised upon their best course of fight: Xenophons' opinion was, that laying aside the form of a Phalange, it would be best to order themselves in Companies g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. drawn out in file. For a Phalange, said he, will soon be broken, by reason of the inequality of the way, which in some parts of the Mountain will be found easy enough, in other hard to ascend. And the sohldiers will quickly be discouraged to see the Phalange disordered, in which they march; Besides, marching in a large front, the enemies, that exceed us in number, will over-front us, and use their multitude to most advantage: In a narrow front it will be no marvel to see our Phalange cut asunder with missive weapons, and with men ordered in battle to charge us; whereby the whole Phalange will be distressed. Therefore, as I said, I hold it best to put the Army into Companies stretched out in depth, giving to each Company such distance one from another, that our wings may over▪ reach the uttermost points of theenemies battle: and let every company make choice of their fittest way for ascent: As for the spaces betwixt company and company, it shall not be easy for the enemy to convey himself into them, all the companies on all sides (in case he enter) wrapping him in betwixt them: and if it chance that any company be distressed, the next company is to succour and aid it. Now say, that one company attain to the top of the hill, you may be assured, that no enemy will keep his ground. This Counsel was assented to by all; When therefore every man had taken his place, and the d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 8000 armed. companies were laid out in their just depth, the armed amounted to about 80 companies, in every of which were reckoned almost 100 men: The Targeteers and Archers were divided into three bodies, the first to march without the armed of the left wing, the second without the armed of the right, the third in the midst, every body consisting of well-nigh 600 1800 lightarmed. men. After prayers made to the gods, the soldiers advanced, singing the a A song or hymn to Apollo used by the Grecians when they joined with the Enemy. jul Pol. l. ●. c. 1. §. 33. But the Scholiastes of Thucydides saith, there were two Paeans, one to Mars before victory, the other to Apollo after victory. ●. 1. Paean; Then Cherisophus and Xenophon (leading the point of the Grecian battle) and the Targatiers with them, who over reached the enemy's wings, hasted on a pace, and the enemy perceiving it, extended their wings to meet them, and by that means were distracted some to the right, some to the left hand, leaving an empty space in the midst of their Phalange▪ the Targatiers armed after the Arcadian manner, led by Aeschines the Acharnan, seeing the enemy's battle dissevered, and imagining them to fly, ran forth with all speed, and were the first that gained the hill: they were seconded by the armed Arcadians, commanded by Cleanor the Orchomenian. When the Enemy saw them come running on, they forsook their ground, and began to shift for them. selves, one one way, another another: The Grecians having gained the Hill, encamped there. Hitherto Xenophon, out of whose practice the best address against an enemy, that possesseth a Hill, over which our Army is to march, may be learned▪ In a broad-fronted Phalange it is hard to proceed, both because of the inequality of the ground, which will easily break the phalange, and disjoint all the parts thereof, and also for that the enemy's weapons thrown from the higher ground will not lightly miss so great a body, and great stones, and other mass, tumbled down, will bear down and make ruin of whatsoever cometh in the way, impossible to miss in such an extension of length, and thronging of the Army: to lead in one and a continued Hearse is no less dangerous. A few men, and those only in front, shall come to fight against a multitude of enemies, who will over-front, and charge them on all sides. Xenophons' Counsel than is to make diverse bodies, and to order them so severed in front and flank, that they may over-front the enemy, and not be parted asunder with the unevenness of the ascent, nor yet prove too fair a mark for the enemy's weapons. The Bodies are declared to be Companies each of 100 men; these so divided one from another in distance filewise, that the uttermost bodies on both sides might be able to overreach the points of the enemy's wings, and to make choice of the best Ascent toward the height of the hill. Further, the form of ordering the bodies is set down, They were stretched out in depth (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉:) Orthios lochoes is here taken for a Company ordered in one file; and it signifies as much as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a Company ordered one man singly after another: which phrase is used by b Xenoph. Cyrop. l. ●. 55. A. & l. 5. 130. D. Xenophon elsewhere: and in the same sense c Thucyd. l. 2. 155. ●. Thucydides useth the phrase of placing ships one in a direct line after another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which his scoliastes interpreteth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, having one after another. And d Polyb. l. 1. 27. ●. C. D. Polybius likewise of Ships hath the same phrase, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to be placed one after another; and in the same place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Yet this passage out of Xenophon, where he mentioneth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, hath a diverse signification from the common usage of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 amongst other Grecians. It agreeth, in that, they led their Companies stretched out in file; it differeth, in that Zenophons' files were placed in distance one from another, and had all an equal front in the manner of a e A broad-fronted Battle. Plagiophalange, where in the other examples they were joined; to the end to make an Orthiophalange, and in several bodies to follow one another. I deny not that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are otherwise taken in the wars of the Romans described by the Greciatis. So f Appian. in Ly●●cis 22. Scipio ordering his battle against Hannibal in the fight of Africa, is reported by Appian to have disposed his Army into Maniples, distributed into three kind of bodies, the Maniples to stand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, one directly after another. How they stood g Poly. l. 15. ●●●. ●. Polybius shows, describing the same battle; He saith, that Scipio ordered the Hastati and their ensigns first of all the rest, and in front, and gave intervals to their maniples; behind them the Principes, not against the intervals of the Hastati, as the Roman manner was, but behind them in a right line (because of the multitude of the Enemy's Elephants:) and last, the Triarij. On the wing of the left flank he ranged C. Lelius with the Italian Horse under him: on the right Massanissa, and all the Numidian Horse, which he commanded. The intervals of the first Ensigns (that is, of the Hastati) he filled with the bodies of light armed, commanding them first to undertake the fight; and in case they were not able to withstand the affront of the the enemy, or of the Elephants, he willed them to retire; some, that could prevent the rest with speed, through the direct intervals of the maniples to thereare of the army; other, that were in a manner surprised, to the flanks, near the Ensigns. This ordering of Maniples one directly after another, so termed and described by Polybius, Appian calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; which notwithstanding, if truly examined, cannot according to the Grecian practice come within the compass of that name. For the Grecians, as I said, drew their Companies severally each into a file; and laying four, or five, or six, or more of them together, made a body, the depth whereof much exceeded the length, or breadth, the front being of 4. 5. or 6. men in rank, the depth of 100, whereas the Romans, as appear by Polybius, kept their ordinary manner of embattelling, saving that they placed their principes not against the intervals of the Hastati, as their custom was, but directly behind the Maniples of the Hastati, to the end the Elephants of the Carthaginians might have an empty and void lane, as it were, to pass through their whole Army: As for the Roman Maniples they consisted of two parts joined together, which they called h Or●●. Ordines, and every Ordo contained 60 men, commanded by a Captain; so that the Maniple had in it 120 men, and two Captains or Centurions. These 120 men being digested into files, containing 10 men a piece (for that was the length of file, and the depth of the Maniple) make 12 files, which stood one by another ranged in front, not stretched one after another in depth. But because the Maniples of the Hastati principes, and the Triarij, stood directly one after another, therefore Appian called them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, either out of the ignorance of the manner of embattelling amongst the Romans, or else because the Grecians in their writings reduced the order of the Roman embattelling unto their own usage. So they called a Tribune of the Roman Army a Chiliarch, albeit a Chiliarch amongst the Grecians and a Tribune amongst the Romans differ very much, as I have noted upon the ninth Chapter of Aelian: the manner of embattailing of the Army of Acilius Glabrio a Roman Consul in the straits of Thermopyle, cometh nearer unto the Greekish form: g Appianin Syraces 97. C. Appian describeth it thus; Antiochus having fortified the straits of Thermopyle with a double wall, and drawn forth his army orderly for fight, to make good the place against Acilius; Acilius divided his troops into three parts, and giving one part to Cato, to●laccus ●laccus, the one to make his passage on the one side of the Hills, the other on the other, himself led the ordinary way against Antiochus; and framing of his owne● part 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (which manner of embattelling alone, saith Appian, serveth for straight ways) ●e pushed on and forced his Enemy to retire, gained his Campe. The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here mentioned, are no other than the h Hearse. Orthie-phalange, which Aelian hath set down in this Chapter, namely, having one Maniple (or if the straight permitted not a Maniple of 12 files to march entirely in front) one Ordo consisting of six files to advance, the rest following in the same ●inde, as the fashion is of the right induction, remembered by Aelian hereafter in his 36 Chapter. Now albeit that form come nearer to the Grecian form, yet it is not the same, the one filling the way with the Maniple or Ordo, as it fell our, in the same figure, that it stands in the field, the other changing the order of the field, drawing the Company out into one file, and joining other Companies with it in front, as many as the way would receive: So that the Grecian had too in depth of the body, the Roman but 10. We are not to pretermit, that albeit Acilius used this form to dislodge 〈…〉 from the H●ll, yet he trusted not to it alone, but dividing his 〈…〉 into three parts, he caused two of them to march up the hills on both sides, himself on the midst, to the end that one part might ●aine the height over 〈…〉 head, and so make him forsake his ground. Thus far of the use of these two 〈…〉 of Phalanges or battles: it remaineth to show, how one of them may be transsormed into another. The next proceeding Chapter teacheth, that out of doublings of Ranks, the Transformation of one into another. length of the battle ariseth, as the depth out of doubling of files. I have showed the manner of both in my notes upon the 8 and 29 Chapter. And this manner is easy in a single Company, or in a small Army: In great Bodies it hath no Doubling of files. great use, let the Example be of a Phalangarchy, which is the fourth part of a fourfold Phalange, and containeth 256 files. Double the files once you shall 128 files, and 32 men in depth, and but 3 foot distance in rank. The second doubling bringeth forth 64 files, and as many men in depth, but the distance betwixt rank and rank is but a foot and a half. Beyond this doubling you cannot proceed; for beside the confusion of places of officers, which are in number above i See Aelian c 7. 250 in a Phalangarchy, the intervals betwixt man and man, will not conveniently allow above two doublings: your open order betwixt man and man, wherein they stand at first, giveth but six foot: The first doubling takes away three foot from every internal, the second leaveth but a soot and half. And considering that when the battle is closed for fight, the nearest distance betwixt rank and rank ought to be no less than three foot, in regard of handling of weapons (as I have showed before out of Polybius.) The second doubling, albeit it yieldeth room from the bodies of Soldiers to In my notes upon the 11 chapt. stand in, yet it takes away the half of this distance, but the third doubling allowing but 3 quarters of a foot for each man to stand in, giveth not so much ground as his body will possess. So is it likewise of Ranks, which will not suffer above two doublings fit for use. Aelians' file is of ●6 men, double your ranks once, your file will contain no more than eight men, and every man shall have three foot distance from other in rank, double them twice, the file hath but four men, and every man's distance in rank is no more than a foot and half, which as it is allowable in close order, so admitteth it no third dou 〈…〉, wherein the space betwixt man and man cannot exceed three quarters of a foot. As therefore the second doubling of ranks in a Phalangarchy, albeit it extend the front of the battle, leaveth yet too small a depth to the Plagiophalange or broad-fronted battle, it containing no more than four men in depth: so the doubling of files twice fitteth not the Orthiophalange or Hearse, as having 64 in depth, and as many in length, which number neither holdeth proportion of the depth manifold to the length of the Orthiophalange or Hearse, nor yet by reason of the length hath conveniency to apply itself to straight ways; a thing that containeth the principal use of that manner of battle; which was the cause that antiquity used another course. If the march were to be made out of a Plagiophalange or broad-fronted battle, they framed a Hearse, by putting forth out of the right or left wing, first one a A body of four files. Tetratchy, or other body, which might march whole according to the largeness of the ways and after it followed from the same wing, the rest of the Army in the same kind. If chose a Plagiophalange or broad-fronted battle were to be framed out of an Orthiophalange or a Hearse, they caused the body which had the vaunt, to stand firm, and the rest following to sleeve up by it on the right or left hand, till they all came to an even front: b Xenoph. Cyrep. l. 2. 55. A. Xenophon showeth the manner in a Company, whose words are these in English; Then he (Cyrus the elder) beheld another b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Captain leading his Company from the river side to dinner, one soldier following another in a c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. single file, who when he thought ●it commanded the second, and third, and fourth file to sleeve up, and make an even front with the first; the fileleaders being new in front, he commanded the d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. half files to double the front, so that new the Decadarches or leaders of half files stood in front. Again, when it seemed good he commanded the e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here signifieth a file: in the ascent of Cyrus, and in the Greek History it signifieth a Company of 100 men. The File-leader commanded the whole file of 24. The Decadarch the half rearefile. The two Pempedarches 5 men a piece; one the 5 that followed after the first 6 in front; the other the 5 that were next the rea●e. quarter files to double the front: so the Pempedarches or leaders of the quarter of files led up, and the files marched on, being divided into four parts. When they were come unto the Tent door, he commanded the first file to single out again, and to enter in, and the second to follow it single in the rear, and so the third and fourth, till all were within the Tent. To clear these words of Xenophon, It is to be understood, that the Company or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here mentioned, consisted of 100 men, and was divided into four files or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, each file containing twenty four men. The file had five Officers, the file leader, the Decadarch, two Pempedarches, and the bringer up. At the head of the file stood the file-leader, and behind him directly five men; next after them stood the first Pempedarch and five men that followed him▪ in the midst of the file (that is, after the Pempedarch and his five) was placed the Decadarch (who ●ed the hinder most half file, and after him five men more? Lastly, the second Pempedarch and five more after him, the last of which was the bringer up. Now when Xenophon saith, that the whole Company followed by one or file wise, he meaneth that the four files were cast into one file, and followed one another in a right line, and by that means had 100 in depth, and but one in front. To bring it therefore to convenient length from this depth, the Captain commanded the first file leader to make Alte, or to stand, and the second file The bringer up was the last of all. leader with his file to advance, and to sleeve up on the left hand and to front with the first file leader, and so both files to stand even fronted in open order. The like he commanded the third and fourth file to do; so that the four files being laid one to another, and fronting equally, the front or length of the body had four men, the depth 24. Then, because he held this depth disproporcionable to the length, in so small a body; he again enlarged the front by doubling, commanding the half files to double their front. The Decadarches hereupon marched up to the front, and ranked with the file leaders, and the half files following them, ranked with the front-halfe files man to man. Now was the front eight in length, the flank or depth twelve. To enlarge again the front, and to make the length exceed the depth, he commanded the quarter-files to double the front: hereupon the Pempedarches advanced marching up with their quarter files after them, till they fronted with the file leaders and Decadarches, and each man of the quarter files ranked with the rest, so that the front came to be of 16 men in length, the flank six men in depth, and each man in rank had a foot and half distance, in file six foot. And thus the Company from one file, as it were from an Orthiophalange or Hearse, was form into a long body somewhat resembling a Plagiophalange or broad-fronted battle. To reduce it again to an Orthiophalange or Hearse, the Captain at the entry into the Tent (where the whole Company was lodged together) first directed the first file to march out, namely by the file leader with his five, than the first Pempedarch with his five, after him the Decadarch with his five, lastly, the second Pempedarch with his five; which drawing out of the Officers one after another in depth, with the parts of the file Commanded by them, immediately brought the file to the just▪ depth of 24. This being done, the second file followed the first in like order, and the third the second, & last of all came the fourth: and this was the manner of changing one form into another: and albeit the example be but of a Company, yet is the reason all one in a Phalange or battle; for as a company is compacted of many files, so is a phalange of diverse companies; and as one file, in the example before, was led after another filewise, so is, or may, one company or other body be led after another, making thereby an Orthiophalange or Hearse: and as one file advanced to front with another, to the intent to alter the form of the Orthiophalange, so must the bodies or companies sleeve up one by another to make a plagiophalange or broad-fronted battle, yet want there not Examples in the Greek History of turning the Orthiophalange or Hearse into a plagiophalange or broad fronted battle, and by consequence the plagiophalange into an Orthiophalange. Cherisophus in the return of the 10000 Grecians, that followed Cyrus the younger into Persia, had the leading of the Vanguard all the way. a Xenoph. de exp. l. 4. 334. A. He in his march in Armenia perceiving the Chalybes, Taochians and Phasians had taken certain mountains, over which the Grecians were to pass, made alte some 30 furlongs before he came to the Enemy, lest encountering with the enemy, he should fight with his army being led in a wing or Orthiophalange: He commanded therefore the Captains that followed him with their companies, every one after another to b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. sleeve up their companies by his, to the intent to cast the army into a plagiophalange or broad fronted battle. When thereare Commanders were come up, he called a counsel to advise of the best course in proceeding. Here is the order of the Grecians march expressed to be in a Hearse or Orthiophalange, which consisted of many companies one following another; and likewise the manner of transfiguring the Hearse into a broad fronted phalange, viz. the Captains one after another sleeving up their companies by Cherisophus his company on the left hand, and making an equal front with him. And yet this example containeth no more, than the sleeving up of the Companies upon one flank. Cherisophus first made a Stand with his company, having the vant; the following Captains sleeved up their companies on his left hand, as the files did one after another in the other example. c Arr. l. 2. 3●. C. D. Alexander used another kind of sleeving a little before he fought the battle of Issos'; For, caufing the vanguard first to stand, he commanded the rest of the foot to march up to the front of the vanguard on either flank. The words lie thus in Arrian. Alexander having by midnight gained the straits of Cilicia, setting out a straight watch upon the rocks, rested, and refreshed his army till morning: b● daybreak he descended from the straits in the ordinary way, and as long as the passage was narrow, he led in a d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. wing; afterwards the mountains opening a greater distance, he enlarged his wing into a phalange by little and little still sleeving up the armed, one body after another to the front; on the right hand toward the mountains, on the left hand toward the Sea. The Horse all this while marched after the foot▪ but coming to ground of larger capacity, they were ordered on the wings. This manner of working to make a phalange out of Hearse, was by drawing the following companies up on both flanks, on the right toward the mountains, on the left toward the sea; so that it differeth from the other form wherein the Companies were sleeved but upon one hand. A third way of making a Plagiophalange of a Hearse, I find in e Polyb l. 1●. 632. B. Polybius, Machanidas the Lacedaemonian Tyrant (saith he) being to fight with Philopaemea the Achaean General, who had fashioned his army into a broad fronted phalange, made semblance at first, as though he meant in a f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hearse to charge the right wing of the Enemy's battle; but approaching nearer at a convenient distance, he broke off the hinder part of the Hearse, and facing it to the right hand marched out, and led it out in length, and joined it in equal front with his right wing, thereby equalling the left wing of the Achaeans. In this manner of transforming the Hearse into broad fronted phalange, the companies or bodies follow not one another, to sleeve up to the front, but half the Plagiophalange is broken off at once (the rear half) and facing to the right or left hand, is led up and joined in an even front with the other half, not unlike to our usagein exercise, when we command our middle men with their half files to face to the right or left hand, and marching out to double the front of our battle. Thus much may suffice for the names, use and reduction of one of these two Phalanges to another: The third Phalange mentioned in this Chapter followeth. 7 The Phalange Loxe.] There are two kinds of Loxes, or uneven fronted Phalanges: The front of the one is figured in a continued right line stretched out bias-wise thus: The other hath as it were two fronts, form out of two several parts of the Phalange; the one advancing against the Enemy to begin the fight, the other staying behind, and keeping the first ground, being ordered without the flank of the first, that upon occasion it may likewise advance, and join, or else retire from the Enemy, and give back; the figure shows the shape of it: the last hath been used by great Generals as a form of advantage in fight. The first only to win a passage, as I take it, over a river, or such like (where the broad-fronted Phalange could not pass) and to bring the Army to a ground, where it might be ordered in better form for fight. I will give one Example (for I read not many) of the first; g Arr. ●. 1. 14. ●. Alexander having conveied his army over Hellespont, and entered into Phrygia, came as far as the river Granicus. Three Lieutenants of Darius with 20000. Horse, and well nigh as many foot, had embattelled themselves on the other side of the river to hinder his passage: The river was full of depths and slallowes somewhat dangerous to enter, and the banks on the further side high, rough, and steepy; beside, the Enemy was ready with horse cast into a long or broad-fronted phalange, and with seconds of foot to beat him back, that should offer to climb the banks. Alexander being resolved to pass over, first ordered his troops in a broad-fronted phalange▪ The right wing he commanded himself, and gave the command of the left to Parmenio; then putting the Scout-horse with the Paeonians into the river, and after them a Phalangarchy of foot led by Amyntas the son of Arrabius, and then Ptolemy the son of Philip, who commanded the troop of Socrates, which troop had the Vaunt of all the horse that day, himself with the right wing entered the river (the Trumpets sounding, and the Army giving a shout) extending still his battle bias-wise against the Stream (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) to the end the Persians might not fall upon him, as he led in a wing, but himself, as much as was possible, might come to join with them, having the front of his phalange extended in length. The Persians cast h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Darts from the high ground against the troops of Amyntas and of Socrates, as they approached to the further bank, and some of them, where the ground was more even, descended to the brink of the river; so there was thrusting and sholdering of Horsemen, some to ascend out of the river, some to hinder the ascent. The Persians let fly many a dart, the Macedonians fought with spears: The first Macedonians that came to hands with the Persians, were cut a pieces fight valiantly, save only those that retired unto Alexander, who was now near advanced with the right wing: He himself first of all charged the Persians, where the principal strength of the whole body of their horse and the Generals of the field stood; about him was a strong fight, and in the mean time one troop after another passed easily over the river. This passage of the History is long, and therefore I forbear to recite the rest, only I add, that after a long fight the Persians were forced to fly, and the victory remained with Alexander. And this, that I have recited, may serve to show the use of this kind of Loxephalange, which was practised by Alexander to no other end, then to gain the passage of the river; for in this form he would never have fought, nor is there any precedent for it out of his battles ranged upon even ground, where he might have chosen the form he liked best; but here he was to get over a river, the enemy held the banks on the other side with 20000. Horse ordered in a broad phalange; the river was full of shallowes and depths, and thereby hardly passable; the banks on the other side steep and broken, and hard to ascend: Parmenio dissuaded him to lead in a wing or hearse, and himself had no great fancy to adventure in that form. In a broad-fronted phalange he could not, which must needs have been broken by the unequal footing in the bottom of the river? What did he then? he thought best to choose a passable ford, and through it to put over the right wing of his Army slope-wise toward the further bank, whither when they came, they should proceed against the stream; that the front being still extended, and the rest coming up and joining, he might front toward and charge the Enemy phalange-wise. And that this was his meaning is plain by a Polyen l. § 16. Polyen, who rehearsing the same Stratagem, saith, that Alexander led his Army in that form along the further bank to the end to over-front the Enemy's Horsebattaile: So that this kind of Loxe or uneven-fronted Phalange is no form to fight in, as I conceive, but hath been sometimes taken up, as a means to attain to a ground fit for a better form; as Alexander changed it as soon as he came to the banks of the river on the other side. The other (as I said) great Generals have used, and by it have gained great victories. I will add an example or two, whereby the use of it may more clearly appear: Epaminondas the Theban in a field against the Lacedæmonians, gained a famous victory by this form: b Diod. Sic. l. 1●. 486. C. Diadorus Siculus writeth thus, The Baeotians also being ready to fight, the battles on both sides were fashioned in this order: Amongst the Lacedæmonians the Chieftains of the race of Hercules had the wings (viz. Cleombrotus the King, and Archidamus who was the The Lacedæmonians had by Lycurgus' Law two Kings at once. son of Agesilaus, the other King:) On the Baeotian side Epaminondas using a peculiar and choice kind of embattailing, obtained a renowned victory by his martial skill: For, selecting the best men out of all his troops, he opposed them against one of the Enemy's wings, himself resolving in his own person to try the fortune of the day with them. Against the other wing he set the weakest, commanding them c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. to fight retiring, and to give ground by little and little, when the Enemy came on to charge; framing therefore an uneven fronted Phalange, he determined to hazard the fight d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. with that wing, which consisted of his chosen Soldiers: The Trumpets sounded, and the Armies gave a shout, and the Lacedæmonians figuring a half Moon thrust out both their wings of purpose to environ the Baeotians, who with one of their wings retired, with the other ran forth to join with the Enemy: after joining, the Victory hung a good while doubtful through the valour of both parties, notwithstanding Epaminondas by the manhood of his people, and the e The Baeotian● were 50 deep, the Lacedæmonians 1●. Xenoph. bist. gr●●. l. 6 596. ● thickness of his battle having the better, many of the Lacedæmonians fallen; for they were not able to endure the weight of the resolution of those chosen men, yet so long as Cleombrotus lived, and had many to f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. join Targets for his defence, and ready to dye before him, the sway of victory was uncertain: But after he had cast himself into all kind of dangers, and yet could not force the Enemy to retire, fight heroically he was borne to ground with many wounds, and so ended his days: There arose a flocking and concourse about his body, and multitudes of dead men were heaped one upon another. That wing, being now without a Commander, was hardly laid to by Epaminondas and first with plain force somewhat disordered. The Lacedæmonians on the other side, bravely hazarding for their King; recovered his dead body, but could not attain to the victory: as also the selected band, albeit provoked by the virtue and exhortation of Epaminondas, it used extraordinary valour, yet with much ado did it force the battle of the Lacedæmonians, who first giving back, somewhat disordered themselves; at last many falling, and no man being to command them, the whole army took itself to flight. Epaminondas his soldiers followed the chase, slew many, made themselves Masters of the field, and carried away a notable and famous victory. Their honour was the more, because they fought with the most valiant men of all the Grecians, and overcame them being many more in number then themselves, contrary to all men's expectation; but of all other Epaminondas was the man that merited most praise, who by his own valour and martial skill, won a battle against those Generals of Greece, which to that day were held invincible. This Testimony of the Loxephalange is somewhat long, but the worthiness of the circumstances will, I hope, bear me out to recite it, wherein the form agreeable to Aelian is first to be noted, as advancing one wing against the Enemy, and holding off the other; albeit it go a little further than Aelian prescribeth, in that the wing kept off, stood not still, waiting time to come forward, but when the Enemy came up, joined with him, giving ground, of purpose to distract his phalange, and on that side to busy him with a slow fight, lest happily he might give upon the adverse flank of Epaminondas and succour his own party that already was in fight. It showeth beside, the advantage of Military skill; for the Lacedæmonians, Masters of Arms at that day in Greece, having fashioned a half Moon, and imagining in that form to enclose the small number of the Baeotians, and to charge them on every side, Epaminondas with his Loxe Phalange so plied the front of their wings, that the rest of the half Moon, being never able to strike stroke, became unprofitable: It shows further what kind of battle is fittest to encounter the half moon: Lastly, it hath the reason and use of the Loxe phalange; that is, to charge one of the Enemy's wings with the best and strongest part of our forces, and at the same instant to annoy him with the other wing, thereby to embarre him from giving aid to his people that were in fight. g Diod. l. 17 592 E Alexander used this form at Gangamela, beginning the fight and victory with his right wing, and after with his victorious troops succouring his left wing, that was in danger to be routed by the Persians. The like form with the like success was used by h Diod. l. 19 686. Antigonus against Eumenes; it is a battle worth the rehearsing, but I have been long in the Example of Epaminondas, and therefore refer the Reader to the quotation. i Diod Sic. l. 19 716. Demetrius framed the like battle against Ptolemy and Seleucus, albeit he were frustrated of his hopes in the event by the foresight of Ptolemy, who opposed his choicest troops against that wing of Demetrius, which was first to undertake the charge. Hitherto of these three forms of Phalanges, see the figures, in which albeit the two first be portraited without intervals, yet you must in the broad-fronted Phalange understand the three intervals usual in the Macedonian fourfold Phalange: and in the hearse the spaces betwixt the rear of the bodies that lead, and of the front of those that follow. Parembole, Protaxis, Epitaxis, Prostaxis, Entaxis, and Hypotaxis. CHAP. XXXI. (1) PArembole, or insertion, is, when Soldiers being placed in a body, we take some of the hindmost, and order them within the distances of the first, drawing them up in an equal front. (2) Protaxis, or forefronting, is, when we place the lightarmed before the front of the Armed, and make them forestanders, as the fileleaders are: (3) When we order the light armed behind, it is called Epitaxis, as it were an after-placing. (4) Prostaxis, or adjoining, is, when to both flanks of the battle, or to one flank, some of the hindmost are added, the front of them which are added lying even with the front of the battle. This addition is called Prostaxis. (5) Entaxis or insition, is, when it seemeth good to set the light Armed within the spaces of the Phalange, man to man. (6) Hypotaxis or double-winging, is, when a man bestoweth the light armed on the wings of the phalange, so that the whole figure resembleth a threefold gate or door. Cap. 31. Hypotaxis, or double-winging Entaxis, or insertion Protaxis, or forefronting NOTES. THis Chapter showeth the enlarging of a Phalange or battle, by diverse placings partly of the armed, partly of the lightarmed. It is not hard to be understood; the rather because most of the alterations here mentioned are spoken of heretofore either in Aelian, or in my notes: Six forms are here set down, two by changing the place of some of the Armed, the other four by changing the place of the lightarmed, the armed are altered by b Doubling the front by middle men. Parembole or c Adjoining. Prostaxis, the light armed by d Forefronting. Protaxis, e Placing after. Epitaxis, f Placing between. Entaxis, and g Placing on the wings. Hypotaxis; what the signification of each is shall be showed in the notes following. 1. Parembole.] This must always be of armed, which are taken from the rear of the Armed, and inserted betwixt the files of the front: of this kind is the doubling of the front by middle men with their half files, whereof Aelian hath spoken in the 29 Chapter, see the figure there. 2. Protaxis or fore-fronting.] I have showed before in the notes upon the seventh Chapter, that the lightarmed were diversely placed in the front, in the rear, on the wings, within the battle; when they are placed before, it is called Protaxis, see the figure here: h Diod. Sic. l. 19 717. ●. Ptolemy and Seleucus being to fight against Demetrius, who had many Elephants, placed the light armed before, to the intent to wound the Elephants and turn them away from their Phalange: so Alexander, so Darius, at the battle of Issos', placed darters and slingers before the fronts of their phalange: they serve greatly to annoy the Enemy being so placed, especially being not charged with horse or pikes; if they be charged with either, they are to retire into the intervals of their own battle of pikes: See Onosander cited by me in my notes upon the 7 Chapter of this Book. 3. Epitaxis.] Ordering of the lightarmed behind was the usual manner of the Macedonian Embattelling, from whence they drew them at pleasure to any place of service: see the 7 Chapter. 4. Prostaxis] it is, when armed are taken from behind and laid to one or both flanks of the battle fronting even with the front thereof, which is a doubling of ranks, as is before showed, done when the hinder half files divide themselves, march out and front with the fileleaders, or else march out entirely without division. Entaxis] Incision is always of the light armed into the spaces of the armed. It is all one with pareutaxis, another Greek word used in the same sense. 6. Hypotaxis.] Placing of the light armed on the wings was much used in ancient time, as the manner is also at this day: but Aelian would have them so placed, that the eminency of them should make a hollow front in the battle: Patritius taketh Hypotaxis to be the placing of the light armed in the rear, which seemeth to be a mistaking, both because the placing of them in the rear is in this Chapter called Epitaxis, and also because there being four manners of ordering the lightarmed, one in the front, another in the rear, the third within the body of the Phalange man to man, the fourth in the wings: if this ordering should be understood to be behind the Phalange, there would be two kinds of placing of the light armed in the rear, and none of ordering them in the flanks: Besides, when Aelian saith, they are placed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, under the wings of the battle, he sufficiently expresseth himself, the flanks of the battle on both sides being the uttermost parts of the wings. The Use, and advantage of these exercises of Arms. CHAP. XXXIV. THese precepts of turning about of faces, of wheeling, and double wheeling of the battle, and of reducing it to the first posture, are of great use in (1) sudden approaches of the Enemy, whether he show himself on the right or left hand, or in the rear of our march. The like may be said of Countermarches, of which the Macedonians are held to be the inventors of the Macedonian, the Lacedæmonians of the Lacedaemonian, from whom the Appellations are accordingly drawn. The Histories witness, that Philip (who much enlarged the Macedonian Kingdom, and over-came the Grecians in a battle at Cheronea, and made himself General of Grecia) and likewise his Son Alexander, who in short time conquered all Asia, made small account of the Macedonian countermarch, unless necessity forced it; and that by use of the Lacedaemonian, they both became victorious over their enemies. For the Macedonian countermarch, the Enemy falling upon the rear, is cause of great disorder, in as much as the hindermost marching up to the front, and making show of running away, it more encourageth and emboldeneth the Enemy to fall on, for fear and pursuit of the Enemy is ordinarily incident to this Countermarch: but the Lacedaemonian countermarch is of contrary effect; for when the Enemy shows himself in the rear, the fileleaders with their followers bravely advancing, and opposing themselves, it striketh no small fear and terror into their minds. NOTES. ALL the four motions of a battle; Facing, Countermarching, Doubling, and Wheeling, are before handled: In this Chapter Aelian briefly rehearseth the use of them, especially in 1. Sudden approaches of the Enemy.] If the Enemy come suddenly upon us, he must direct himself either against our front, or our rear, or our flanks. If a Against the front. against our front, we need no other motion then that whereby we may strengthen our front, which is usually done by doubling of ranks; we march for the most part in a hearse, in which form there cannot come many hands to fight: and that is the reason why it is accounted the weakest form to join with the Enemy. b Doubling of ranks. Doubling of ranks helpeth that defect, and bringeth as many hands to fight, as the proportion of forces will allow: If against the c Against the rear. rear, and time straight you not, and your battle be in open order, you have the use of d Countermarch. countermarch, which bringeth the best hands to fight; for the Fileleaders are esteemed the flower of the Army: your battle being in order or close order, you are to e Wheeling. wheel it about to your right or left Cap. 32. The action of wheeling Cap. 32. The manner of wheeling The first posture Closing of files Closing of ranks forward The Front Cap. 33 Os Cloinge Closing to the midst The front after closing the right action Closing to the left ●and Closing to the right ●and The Front before closing The Front of the battle before closing hand, and so to oppose the front against the Enemy. But in both these motions the caution of Aelian is, that the Enemy surprise you not whilst you are in the action of countermarch or wheeling, lest taking his advantage, he charge you being in disorder. Therefore if he come so near, that you have no liberty to countermarch or wheel, your only refuge is to a Facing. face about to the right or left hand, for so he shall not be able to give upon your back: If the enemy appear upon any flank, countermarch of the Front will not avail, much less doubling against the flank of ranks, or files, but you must either wheel your Front to the flank, or if you have not time enough so to do, you are to face your battle to that hand: The use of these motions hath been handled in their several Chapters more at large. Of the Signs of Direction which are to be givin to the Army, and of their several kinds. CHAP. XXXV. (1) WE are to acquaint our Forces both Foot and Horse, perfectly with the (2) voice, and perfectly with (3) visible signs, that whatsoever is fitting, may be executed and done, as occasion shall require. (4) Some things also are to be denounced by the Trumpet: for so all directions will be fully accomplished, and sort to a desired effect. (5) The signs therefore which are delivered by voice, are most evident and clear, if they have no impediment. (6) But the most certain and least tumultuous signs are such as are presented to the eye▪ if they be not obscured. The voice sometime cannot be heard by reason of the clashing of armour, or trampling or neighing of Horses, or tumult of carriage, or noise and confused sound of the multitude. The visible signs also become many ways uncertain, by thickness of air, by dust, by rain, or snow, or sunshine, or else through ground that is uneven or full of trees, or of turnings. And sometimes it will not be easy to find out signs for all uses, occasions eftsoons presenting new matter, to which a man is not accustomed: yet can it not so fall out, that either by voice, or by signal, we should not give sure and certain direction. NOTES. 1 THe ordinary motions in a Phalange are all represented by Aelian. Now cometh he to speak of Signs, which direct, and are means of effecting all these motions, and without which the Army is no Army, but remains a body ungovernable, and may aptly be resembled to a Ship that hath no rudder: For as a Ship in a tempest is driven by all winds, tossed by waves, thrown every way upon rocks, upon sands, upon dangerous shores, that is not guided by the Master, who standeth and moveth at the helm; So an Army not directed by signs, and forecast of the General, is carried away through ignorance and violence of affection, sometimes of anger, sometimes offeare, sometimes of revenge, and other unbridled desires, and breaketh or else falleth into confusion through disorder, working little against the enemy, may rather giving him means of a certain victory. The ship is like the Army▪ the General like the Master, the words of Direction like the Rudder, guiding all and every motion of the Army: For the Army being a body of many heads▪ whereof every one hath a several sense, hangeth together not by the natural coherence and knitting of one member to another, but by artificial joining of man to man, file to file, body to body, whereby it is gathered together into one Mass, and figured into many members and joints, and ruled not by the reason and judgement of itself, but by the reason and understanding of the General. So that no man is to demand why this or that is commanded, but is to execute it alone for this Cause, because it is commanded: The General then being to Command, and direct the actions of the whole Army, aught to find out means to speak and discourse with them all at once, in such a language, as it were, that all may understand at once. For the occurrence of war being oftentimes sudden, and once slipped by, irrecoverable, require sudden means of speedy direction, that nothing fall out so unlooked for, but the Army may have notice how to prevent and avoid, or else to turn it to their most advantage; the rather because in war, safety and life come in question, in loss of which, no pardon of negligence can be admitted. And seeing there are two principal senses of advertisement, the ear the one, the other the eye; the ear to hear all manner of sounds, the eye to discern all manner of colours and shapes, it hath been the witty inventions so ancient Generals, to inform their Armies by the one, and by the other; by the eye when there was no use of the ear; by the ear when the eye could not be informed: The true observation and use of these signs avail much in war. a Veget. l. 3. c. 5. Vegetius saith, that nothing profiteth more to victory, then to obey the admonition of signs. Former experience hath taught, that the neglect or error of signs, hath brought in great inconveniences, and quite overthrown the enterprises in hand. b Polyb. l. 9 555. ●. Polybius remembreth it in Aratus the elder, a General of the Achaeans, Cratus, saith he, the General of the Achaeans, seeking to get the Cy●ethian City by a plot, agreed with those of his party within the City, upon a certain time to come by night to the river that runneth by Cynethe, there refreshing and staying his Army a while, and that those within taking their time, should send about midday out of the gate secretly one of their companions, to stand in a cloak by a hill appointed, which was not far from the City, to give advertisement to Aratus to march on▪ and that the rest about that time should lay hands upon the Polemarches, (that used to guard the gates) while they reposed themselves and slept: And that this done, the Acheans should with all speed hasten to the gates, out of their Ambush. These things concluded, and the time approaching, Aratus came accordingly, and hiding himself by the river, awaited the signal: About the fifth hour, one of the City an owner of sheep, that bore extraordinary fine wool, & were usually feeding about the City, came out of the City gate in a cloak, desirous to speak with the shepherd about some private business of his own, and standing upon the same hill, looked round about for the shepherd. Aratus and his folk imagining this to be the expected signal, ran in all haste toward the City; but because nothing was ready within, the gates were quickly shut, and not only Aratus miss of his purpose, but the Citizens also that conspired with him▪ fell into great misfortunes, being taken with the manner, and presently brought forth and put to death. This may be an example of error and misprision of the sign▪ Of the neglect, and likewise of the like error and misprision, there is a notable example in a Caesar de bell. Gall. l. 7. 156. Caesar's Commentaries in the siege of Alexia, Where Caesar having won the Enemy's camp, lying upon a hill near the Town, sounded a retreat to his army that was in fight: the Ensigns of the tenth legion made a stand, but the Soldiers of the other legions not hearing the sound of the trumpet, by reason of a valley, beyond which they were; were yet held back by the Tribunes and Legates, as Caesar had given direction. Notwithstanding, being puffed up with the hope of a speedy victory, and with the fight of the Enemy, and their happy battles of former times, thinking nothing so hard that it might not be achieved by their valour, they made no end of their chase, till they came near to the Wall, and Gates of the Town; and some of them entering at a gate, othersome climbing up the wall, imagined they had gotten possession of the town. In the mean time the Enemy's forces, who were busy in fortifying without on the other side of the town, being acquainted herewith by message, sent their horse before, and followed after themselves, and in great numbers charged the Romans: The fight was hard, the enemy trusting to the advantage of the place and to their number, the Romans to their valour, when on the sudden were seen on the open side of the Romans the Heduan Horse who served in Caesar's Army, and were by him sent on the right hand to get up the hill another way: they by likeness of their armour put Caesar's soldiers in a great fear. And although it might easily ●e discerned, that their left shoulder was unarmed, which was the sign of such as were friends, yet the Romans conceived them to be enemies, and to use that device only to overreach and entrap them. Being oppressed on all hands, and 46 b Three were 60 Centurions in a Roman Legion. Centurions slain, they were beaten from their ground with the loss of few less than 700 men. Caesar's Soldiers here offended in both kinds in the neglect of their General's Command, which he gave by sign, and in mistaking the sign, which was usual for the Heduans to be known by. Caesar's judgement of these two faults appeareth in his speech, which he made to his Army presently upon the loss; in which he reprehended their rashness, in that they would needs take upon them to judge how far they were to proceed, and neither be held in with the sign of retreat that was given, ●or yet be commanded by the Tribunes and Legates. He showed of what force the disadvantage of ground was, and what his opinion was before this time at Auaricum, where surprising the Enemy without a General and Horse, he let an assured victory slip out of his hand, because he would not hazard, no not a small loss in fight upon inequality of ground. As much as he admired their brave minds and resolution, whom neither the fortifications of the Enemy's Camp, nor the height of the Mountain, nor the wall of the Town could hold back; so much he reprehended their presumption and arrogancy, in that about the victory and issue of things, they preferred their own conceits before the opinion of their General: For his part he required aswell modesty and continency in a Soldier, as valour and magnanimity. So Caesar insinuating that obedience and heedfulness were two principal virtues in a Soldier; by the one to be ready at all commands, by the other to execute with discretion what was commanded: by want of heedfulness they perceived not the sign of retreat which was proposed unto them, and mistook the mark of the Heduans, whom they esteemed for their foes; by want of obedience to their Officers, they incurred the danger and loss which they sustained: diligent care therefore is to be had of signs, by which the mind of the General in all directions is declared, and as it were set before the eyes of the whole Army. The Inventors of the Signs of War were many. The Ensign was invented by the Egyptians, as I have showed in my notes upon the 9 chap. of this Book, where also the reason of the invention is given. a ●lin natural. ●ist. l. 7. c. ● 7. The order of an Army, the giving of the sign, the watch, the watchword was invented by Palamedes, the trumpet by Tirrhenus the Son of Hercules. To give signs to an Army pertaineth, as I have showed, to him that is the Governor thereof, that is, to the General. The manner how signs were by him given, appeareth in b Onosander ●. 25▪ Onosander, I will recite his words: Let all signs, quoth he, (he meaning by voice) and c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. by-signes be delivered to the Officers of the Army; in as much as for a General to go up and down and proclaim the sign to all, is the part of an unwise and unexperienced Man, and both time is lost in denouncing it, and it is often a cause of tumult, whilst every man asketh what the sign is. Besides, one addeth something to the General's words, another diminish●th them through ignorance. d Leo ●. 20. §. ●●6. Leo hath almost the same words, at least the same sense, and as I take it, he borroweth them from Onosander. e Onosand. c. 25. Onosander addeth, It behoveth him to give the word to his highest Commanders, who are to deliver it over to the next to themselves, and they to their next inferior Officers, till it come to the last; for so shall every one speedily, decently, and quietly know what is commanded. And this was the manner of the Grecians, as may appear by Thucydides, who describing the usage of the Lacedæmonians in giving the word and signs, of direction, hath thus, And presently the Lacedæmonians Polemarches. Lochagi. Penteco●●ers. Enomotarchs'. Xenoph. Cyrop. l. 8. 203. ●. ordered themselves in battle, Agis the King commanding, as their law is; for when the King leadeth, all things are under his command, and he giveth direction to the Polemarches, they to the Lochagij, who deliver it to the Pentecosters, and they to the Enomotarches, from whom the Soldiers of the Enomoties have it. This was then the manner of the Grecians. How the Romans did deliver ou● their word you may find in the sixth Book of f Polyb. l. 6. 479▪ & Lipsius add ●olyb. ●. 5. dial▪ 9 Veget. l. 3. ●. 5. Polybius. But because it pertaineth not to Aelian, who intreateth of the Grecian discipline alone, I remit the Reader to my marginal quotation. The sign was then delivered from the superior Officers to the inferior, and from them to the Soldier▪ the kinds of signs that were delivered are reckoned up in this Chapter, being in number two; for they were presented either to the ear or to the eye▪ to the ear, as all sounds, whether man's voice or trumpets, or other instruments of war, which were presented for direction or motion of the Army. To the eye, as all mute signs (so they are called which have no sound) which were set up to the view of the Soldier for direction likewise: Both of these kinds were either ordinary or extraordinary; ordinary, which had daily use in the Army, as the Trumpet, Ensigns, and such like, as served for ordinary direction. Extraordinary, which were brought in as occasion was offered of Sig 〈…〉 Vocalia. Semiv●calia Muta. new command: beside, some were delivered openly, as the vocal, semivocall and mute signs, which by proclamation, sound of instruments, or representation were set forth to the whole army at once; some privily, as the word, and such like, which passed secretly from one to another, and were received privately in the ear. This variety was invented, that in case one kind failed, or would not serve, another might, as I have noted before out of Suidas upon the ninth Chapter, and as Aelian teacheth in this Chapter. The ends of signs are two, one to order and direct our own forces, the other to distinguish them from the Enemy. Because I have before spoken of the diversity of vocal and mute signs, it Sig●● Vocalia. shall not be amiss here to show the use of them both by examples. And this is first to be noted, that the Grecians in governing their troops, as much as they could, retained the use of the voice. In public directions they used the voice of the Crier; I have before noted it upon the 9 Chapt. If the command required secrecy, the General gave it to his chief Commanders secretly by word: Of this kind was the sign delivered to discern enemy from his own soldiers in a battle to be fought. a Xenoph. d'exp. l. 1. 284. ●. Xenophon writeth, that at such time as Cyrus the younger and Artaxerxes were to join battle, Cyrus sitting on horseback a pretty distance from the Grecian troops, heard a murmuring noise running along through their whole battle, and ask Xenophon (who was then present with him) what noise it might be, and what it meant, Xenophon told him, that the Word was now given the second time: He wondering who had revealed the Word to the Enemy, desired to know what the new word was; Xenophon answered, it was jupiter the Saviour and victory; which Cyrus hearing, I accept it, saith he, and let it be so. The murmur here mentioned arose out of the delivering of the sign of the battle, which being delivered to the inferior Officers by Clearchus, the chief Commander of the Grecians, and the Officers communicating it to the Soldiers, and the Soldiers one to another, went through the whole body of the phalange with a soft and still noise of them, that whispered it in the ears of their companions. Xenophon hath here set down, that the word was jupiter the saviour and victory; In d Xenoph. d● expel▪ l. ●. 386. ●. another place he hath, jupiter the Saviour and Hercules the guide, for the sign. To know who was an enemy who a friend, the soldiers meeting one another demanded the sign; if they delivered the word given by the General, they held them for friends, if otherwise, for enemies: e Polyen▪ l. ●▪ Polyen telleth of one Acues an Arcadian General, who commanded his Soldiers to kill him, whosoever he were that should ask the word: so that he made the voice of the enemy serve for the word to his own Soldiers. This sign was changed in every battle, lest, if still the same signs were used, the Enemy might happily come to the knowledge of them, and so be taken for friend, under colour whereof much treason might be wrought: not much unlike the sign given in a battle to be fought, is the watchword by night, which was usually delivered to the first Officers of the Army, and by them derived to the rest, and so brought down to the Soldiers, and was no less observed in a City, then in the Camp; in both which the same form of watching was held, save that in a Camp there were Sentinels per due, as we term them at this day (the Grecians called them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) who stood and watched without the trench of the camp; whereas the Cities for the most part had Sentinels watching only upon the walls or marketplace, or other pieces of strength giving to, and receiving the word from the rounders. And as the signs of battle varied upon occasion, as the last example spesified, so the watchwords were often changed, for fear they might come to the notice of the enemy; for the Enemy having the Watchword, might nourish spies in our Camp or City, and have certain intelligence of all, that passeth there, as being taken for friends, because they carried the mark and tokens of friends; and they were changed not only at the relief of the watch, which time is the usual moment of varying the word, but oftentimes after the same night, for fear that a Sentinel might be snatched up without the Camp by an enemy, or else because of treason within, in revealing the word to the enemy; oftentimes also they gave a d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. double word, one to the sentinel, another to the round; and ● Polyb. l 9 5●6. sometimes added a d 〈…〉 ●. 25. For the double sign and by-signe, ● Aen●. ●. 24, 25. & Casaub. in notis ad Aene ●. 4. etc. 24, 25. mute sign, to the word, which kind they called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as it were a by-signe,: and these are all the secret signs by word, which I find in the Grecian practice. For the other words, as the exhortation of the General to the Army, and the words of training delivered by the Crier to the Soldiers, (for every Company had a Crier, because his voice was stronger and louder than the Captains,) they neither are secret, and seem rather to be in the nature of Commands, than Signs. The single word of battle and watch, I find to be called by no other name then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, if it were a double word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, if a mute sign were joined to the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. The voice then of a man was used for a sign either when secrecy was required, or else where the Crier might be heard in discharging his duty by proclamation, because it was weak and could not extend to the hearing of this whole Army, and many things required for public and quick direction, Instruments of sound were brought in. Vegetius saith very well, Because a Semivocalia. multitude cannot be governed by voice alone in the tumults of fight, and because many things are to be commanded and done, according to necessity, the ancient use of all Nations found out, how the whole Army by signs might with speed have notice of and follow that, which the General judged profitable for it. To help therefore the weakness of the voice, Instruments of sound were brought in, which were of three sorts amongst the Grecians, the Trumpet, the Flute, and the Harp. The a See my notes upon the 9 Chapter. Flute was used by the Lacedæmonians the Harp by the Cretans. (even to the joining of battle) all other Grecians used the Trumpet. b Diod. Sic. l. 13. 3●3. And yet in the battle during the time of fight, and in retreats, the Lacedæmonians also used the trumpet. I have noted it before upon the 9 Chapter, where I have also touched in what occasions and actions the trumpet was the sign. Now will I give some Precedents of the particulars thece remembered. And first the Trumpet gave the sign of removing the Camp: which appeareth by this precpt of c Leo. 11 § 27. Leo; When you will remove your Camp without tumult, you are to given commandment over night. And again, the same day in which you remove, you are in the morning by day light to signify the remove by sound of the Trumpet three times, and then remove, and the Leaders and the armed are to go out first, than the wagons, if any be, and then other things which are carried for the use of the Army. Thus Leo, for the remove by day. By night, the Army of the Grecians that fought with Artaxerxes (as d Xenophon de exp. l. a. 275. Xenophon reporteth) removed after this sort. After the death of Cyrus, the Grecians that followed Cyrus, being in distress, and pinched with want of all things, not knowing what course to take, and having a message from Arieus (a chief Persian Commander under Cyrus while he lived) to come and join with him, that they might return together to jonia, from whence they first began to march, Clearchus the Principal Commander of Grecians being determined to do as Arieus counselled, and yet loath the enemy should know of his departure, gave these directions to the Army, This must de your course, saith he, we must go every man to his lodging, and sup with such provision as he hath, and when the Horn giveth the sign to rest, truss up your baggage, at the second sign lay it upon the carriage beasts, at the third every man follow his Leader. The Captains and Colonels hearing this, did as they were commanded. This practice of Clearchus differeth not much from Leos precept; for he used three sounds of the trumpet, and so Leo doth command: Clearchus yet further showeth what was be done at every sign, which Leo pretermitteth, perhaps as a thing commonly known: Besides, Clearchus used all these signs for another end, then for which they were first instituted. The Grecians at evening discharged their workmen from their work by sound of trumpet, and that was called the sign of rest: then they divided the night into four parts, which were called four watches, because rheir Sentinels were four times relieved in a night, and at every relief the Trumpet sounded. Now the sounds of the Trumpet by night, Clearchus converted into signs for marching according to Leoes prescription, and removed his Camp, the enemy not perceiving it. Hence it appeareth then that the Camp was removed by the sound of the Trumpet: And yet I find that Alexander brought in an alteration about this sign of removing: For a Q. Curtius l. 5. 107. Curtius remembreth that Alexander at the first used it, but perceiving afterwards, that this sign could hardly be discerned by the whole Army, by reason of the noise and stirring of the multitude, thought it better to stick down a Pole, and upon the top of it to hang a coloured cloth, to give his Army notice, that he meant to remove, and ever after held himself to that sign. The Trumpet likewise was the b Xenop. l. 3. 308. sign of fight: And when all the Trumpets of the Army sounded, it was called c Diod Sic. 673. 760. 372. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, (in Latin Classium;) and the whole Army hearing this sign, began to advance, and sung the d Xenoph l. 1. d'exp. 265 Diod. Sic. l. 13. 372. Paean, and gave a shout, and presently joined with the enemy. The Greek histories every where give testimony hereof. But we are to note that this sounding of trumpets all together, was before the Army came to join with the enemy, and that the end of it was to strike a terror into the enemy, and to encourage and stir up the minds of their own people to fight; for in the time of fight, they used another manner according to this precept of e Leo●. 12. §. 6●. 107. Leo, I would not advise you to sound with many Trumpets, during the time of conflict, it being a thing both hurtful, and bringing with it tumult and confusion: for thereby no Commander can be heard. But if the place be found plain and even, the Trumpet of the middle battle will be sufficient for all the other battles: if it be uneven, or the wind, as it often happeneth, boisterous, or the noise of waters hinder the clearness of the sound, it will not be inconvenient for a Trumpet to speak in every battle so that three may be sounded in the whole Army. For the more that stillness is observed, the less shall the youger sort of Soldiers be disturbed, or the beasts affrighted, and more terrible shall the battle seem to the enemy, and directions be better heard and put in execution. The Trumps were therefore the signs of fight, first all sounding together when the Army went to charge, and afterward one or three at the most during the time of fight. And as the sign of fight was given by the Trumpet, so was the sign of retreat. This also is manifest by the stratagem of Pammenes. Polyen relateth that he c f Polyen. in ●●●● m●ne l. 5. §. 4. deceived his enemies by using a contrary course in sounding the Trumpet, than the common manner was, commanding his Soldiers when he sounded the retreat, they should go to charge; when he sounded a charge, they should retreat: in doing whereof, he greatly annoyed his enemies. The example of g Diod. ●ic. 15. 475. Agesilaus cited by me in my notes upon the 9 Chapter showeth, that the trumpet was used for retreats: and the History of Callicratidas reported by Diodor. Scic. in his 15 Book; Suidas nameth this kind of sound given by the trumpet, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as it were h Suidas i● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. a calling back, or a command to retire. The Trumpet finally was used as a sign for the Army to stand, or to go forward as the business required. Albeit I must confess, there were other usual signs besides the trumpet in this case: a Leo ●. 7. §. 31. Leo saith, In exercise of Horse, when you are to move the Body, you are to give sign either with the voice alone, or with the Trumpet, or else with the bowing down of a Baneroll, and so to move them. And if you would have them to make alte, you are to do it either with he voice, saying stand, or with the Trumpet or with the noise of a Targetbeaten upon with a sword. The like he speaketh of the exercise of foot in the same Chap and after in the 9 Ch. he saith, you shall command the Soldiers to stand, by knowing exactly the sound of the Trumpet, & again to move by the sound of the trumpet. So that although other signs were given for marching & retreat, yet the most common sign was by the Trumpet. b Semivocalia. Now we are to understand, that all signs given by sound to the ear (except by the voice) are called signa semivocalia, because albeit their sound be louder and stronger for the most part than the voice is, yet they are not articulated, as is the sound of the voice. Hitherto of signs that were given to the ear by the sound. Now are we to speak briefly of mute signs, or those that were set up, as it were, a mark for the eye. Mute sign swear of two kinds: for either they were simple, and used by themselves, as an object of the eye alone, or else they were mixed, and joined Mute signs. to signs of sound, and so communicated both to the eye and to the ear. Of the second for were those whereof I have spoken a little before, and they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, namely when a mute si ne is added to a vocal: as when to the Word in the night is joined some special gesture of the body, as holding down or nodding of the head, lifting up the hand, putting off the hat, heaving up the skirt of the garment, etc. concerning which see c Onosand. c. 26. Onosander and d Aeneas c. 24. Of the first kind were signs presented to the eye alone, which extended very largely, and served where neither voice not trumpet could be heard by reason of the remorenesse of the place; these were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, signs properly, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 likewise, because it was agreed by the parties, who gave and took them, that they should have such and such signification. The words be different, but the meaning and effect is all one; for as no sign can be, but there must be a giver and a taker of the sign, so ●● that respect the signs called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by reason of the communication betwixt the giver and taker of the sign, may aptly also be termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. And albeit I noted before that the sign of the battle and the watchword was called by no other name but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, yet it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taken often for a mute sign also: Many occasions were of giving these signs, and they were sometimes shown by day sometimes by night, and in the day time they were sometime proposed in the battle, sometime in other places, where they might be perceived. e Arr. ● 1. 6. D. Arrian historieth of Alexander the Great, that at his being in the Country of the Taulantians, his enemies Clitus and Glaucias, had with man● horse, darters, and slingers, and not a few armed men, taken the Mountains and high places, by which he was to pass in returning. The place was straight and woody, shut up on the one side with a river, on the other side with an exceeding high mountain, the sides whereof were very steep, so that the Army could not march with more than four armed in front. Alexander marshaled his troops to 120 in depth, and ordering 200 horse on each wing, he commanded silence, and heed to be taken to his directions: And first he willed the armed to advance their pikes, then upon a e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sign given to let them fall, and charge, then to turn them close knit to the right hand, then to the left, and sometime he moved the battle quickly forward, and sometime he moved it to the one wing, sometime to the other. And so fashioning it into diverse shapes in short time, and at last casting it into a wedge, as it were, he led it against the Enemy; who stood wondering at the speediness and good order of the diverse motions; and now perceiving the Army to be led against them, abode not the charge, but left the hill, which he held, and fled. Here are mentioned seven several motions of the phalange, which we have in practice at this day: 1 Advancing of Pikes, 2 charging of them, 3 first to the right hand, 4 then to the left hand, 5 moving of the battle forward, 6 moving it to the right wing, and then 7 to the left. And all these motions were directed by a sign; what this sign was, may be doubted, because it is not expressed whether it was by voice, trumpet, or a mute sign. For my part I would not take it to have been by voice; for how could the voice be heard in so great an Army as Alexander had (which according to f Diodor. Sec. l. 17. 566. Diodorus Siculus consisted of 30000 foot and 3000 horse) and was stretched out in depth, and had but four armed in front: nor yet would I imagine it to have been given by trumpet; because, though perhaps the trumpet might be heard of all the Army, by reason of the Echo rebounding from the Mountain and river, yet could it not fitly and clearly distinguish the sound that should direct these seven several motions: I have before declared in what case the trumpet was employed. Let me with leave therefore think, that it was a mute sign presented to the eye; as for the purpose a Coat, or other garment fastened to the end of a long staff, the colour whereof being eminent, and the staff being lifted aloft might be perceived by the whole Army. The sign then advanced to the full height, might signify advancing of Pikes, which was the first motion. Being abased and held level before the front, charging to the front, which was the second motion; held out level to the right flank charging to the right hand, to the left flank, charging to the left hand; which were the third and fourth motions of Alexander: moving forward in front, it might be a sign for the battle to follow, which was the fifth. Moving to the right hand, for the battle to march to the right, which was the sixth: to the left, for the battle to move to the left, which was the seventh; which motion might more easily be performed, in case the ensigns of the particular Companies took their direction from the main sign, and so framed themselves to the same motions, and the Soldiers to the motions of their Ensigns: This I say is my conjecture, wherein notwithstanding I prejudice no man's opinion, but leave every man to his own conceit and sense. g Xenoph. hist. great. l. 6. 587. C. Xenophon relateth a notable example of Iphicrates the Athenian, who being chosen Admiral by the City, as soon as he began to take the Sea with his Navy, both at once sailed, and also prepared all things necessary for Sea-fight: for he left at home the greater sails, as one that sailed forth to fight, and seldom used the greater masts, were the wind never so fair, but hasting forward with the oar, he both made the bodies of his men strong and healthy, and the Navy gained a speedier way: and oftentimes where he meant to dine, there would he draw his whole Navy from the shore in h A single file. a wing? and turning them about, and addressing their prowess to the land, give a sign for the ships to hasten with all celerity to the land, every one as it could. It was a great reward and victory for those that came first to land, to water, and take all thing they needed, as also to dine, and a great punishment to the sluggards to want those commodities, and beside to put to sea again, when the sign was given: for the first did all things at ease, and as they list, the last were straightened with haste, and must do as they could. When, by chance he dined in the enemy's Country, he set out Sentinels some upon land as behoved, other upon ships rearing up the Masts, that from them they might take a view of all things: for these being placed in a higher station, might easily discern and see further, than the other standing upon even ground: wheresoever he supped and slept, he suffered no fires to be made in the Camp by night, but held light before the Camp, that no man might have access to it without discovery. Oftentimes in fair weather, he no sooner supped, but put to sea again, and in case there were a fresh gale, sailed forward▪ and the sailors in the mean time gave themselves to rest: when haste was needful he relieved the sailors by turns, and in the day time upon a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Xenoph. hist grec. l. 6. 587. C. signs led sometimes in a wing, some times in a phalange. That these were mute signs from the Admiral ship (besides that, the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 importeth so much for the most part) no man I think acquainted with sea-service will make question, considering that both voice and b Leo c. 19 §. 40. trumpet easily give place to the whistling of winds and roaring of tempests, and raging of waves of the Sea. To say nothing of the distance of one ship from another, nor of the tumult and cry of Mariners, or sound of oars (for in those times sea-fights were altogether in Galleys driven with oars) which make them uncapable of direction by any other kind of sign. And for these mute signs to be given by sea, I mean, of what kind they should be, and to what end, and in what manner delivered, I think good to cite the words of the Emperor Leo, which sound thus: c Leo c. 19 §. 42. Let there be, saith he, in your Galley d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. a sign standing in some eminent place, either an ensign, or some banerall, or some such like, wherewith after you have signified what is to be done, your direction may strait be understood and executed, whether you would have your Navy to go to charge, or retire from the Enemy, or to countermarch to encompass the enemy, or to hasten to relieve some of your own party distressed, or slack or quicken their advancing, or lay or avoid an ambush, or such like: that they seeing the signs ●rom your ship, may receive direction what is to be done. And a little after he declareth the manner and usage of these signs, saying; Let the sign e Le● c. 19 §. 42. be shown either standing upright, or inclining to the right or left hand, or lifted aloft, or let fall low, or be taken clean away, or transported to another place, or changing by making the head of it appear in diverse forms by adding other shapes of colours unto it, as was used by the Ancients. For their manner was in the day of battle to rear up a red coloured sign, which they called f Diod. Sic. l. 13. 372. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and it was nothing else but a piece of red cloth exalted upon a long staff, and such like; but it may be more safely delivered by your own hand. I thought good to cite these passages of Leo, the rather to give light to the place last before recited out of Zenophon. For out of this precept of Leo the practice of Iphicrates his motions may more perspicuously appear. Now that these red coloured signs, and signs of other colours also were used in fights on land, g Toly●. l. 2. 151 D Polybius showeth in the battle between Antigonus the Macedonian King, and Cleomenes the King of Sparta. Antigonus' Army consisted of diverse nations, Macedonians, Agrians, Galatians, Achaeans, Baeotians, Epirotes, Acarnans, Illyrians. Cleomenes his enemy had taken and fortified all the straight passages which led into the territory of the Lacedæmonians (for thither did Antigonus bend his invasion) and so disposed his forces that Antigonus could not pass without fight: Hereupon Antigonus resolved to fight; and because his fight was to be ordered in and against diverse places, and at diverse times, as his advantage fell out, he gave diverse signs to his different people, when to give on: h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. The sign to the Illyrians was, then to charge up Cap. 30. The Coelembolos, or hollow-fronted wedge The right Induction The front Cap. 36. The Coelembolos The left wing The Phalange set against the left wing of the Coelembolos The front The forbearing Phglange The right wing The Phalange set against the right wing of the Coelembolos Cap▪ 36. The Fileleaders A Deduction to the left hand A right induction The Front A Deduction to the right hand The File leaders the hill, when they saw a white linen clothe held up from the place about Olympas, to the Megalopolitans and horse, when they saw the King lift up a purple garment. a Caesar ●. ●. de be●. civil 323. Caesar commanded his Soldiers not to ●ight without his direction, saying. he would give a sign with an ensign, when he would have them begin. And albeit the colour of red was used for the most part in Signals, yet was not the party that gave the sign precisely tied to any colour: it was enough if the sign might give notice of the General's intent to them, whom it concerned: the first b Diod. Sic. ●. 20. 759. Ptolowie gave a sign to his Navy to begin the fight by hoisting up a gui●● Target in his Admiral galley, c Vegec. l. 3. ●. ●. other with holding up or shaking their garment, or their hand, or with wearing some unusual mark upon a horse, upon Arms, upon vestures, or such like. This is to be noted for a general rule, that when you find in history a sign was given at a great distance, and it is not expressed what sign it was, you must understand that it was a mute sign presented to the eye, because the sense of hearing is feeble, and not able to discern far off. Hitherto of mute signs given by day. In the night, when all was covered with darkness, and the use of sight taken away, the usual manner was to give a sign by flame of fire, which manner of signal might be descried in the night, being the darkness never so great: d Appian in Hispanicis 306. ●. Scipio Africanus the younger, having enclosed Numintia round about with a trench and rampire, commanded that if the Enemy fell out upon any part of his fortification, a red piece of cloth should be held out by day upon a long staff, a flaming fire by night, that himself or his chief officers might come to succour. The like shall you find in Caesar's Commentaries and Q. Curtius and in other Historiographers both See vegec. ●. 3. ●. ●● Greek and Latin. These were the signs used in the battle, and in the Camp: without the Camp were set Sentinels both horse and foot to forewarn and give adverrisement to the General of the Enemy's approach. To f Ae●●●●●. SIXPENCES these oftentimes the General gave a sign amongst themselves, and they by signs signified what was done abroad▪ For the manner of placing these Sentinels, see Aeneas. The signs themselves were such as might be discerned by the eye, and of that kind and form whereof I have made mention already. Of Marching, and of the diverse kind of battles fit for a march. And first of the right induction, of the Caelembolos, and of the Triphalange to be opposed against it. CHAP. XXXVI. (1) BEing now to speak of marching, I will first give to understand that some kind of march is a (2) right-induction, othersome a (3) deduction on the right or left hand, and that in a single, or double, or treble, or quadruplesided battle: In a single, when one Enemy is feared, in a double, when two in a treble, when three in a quadruple, when the Enemy purposeth to give on all sides. Therefore the March is undertaken sometimes in a single, sometimes in a double, or in a threefold, or in a fourfold phalange. (4) A right induction is, when one body of the same kind followeth another; as if a Xenagy lead, the rest follow Xenage-wise; or if a Tetrarchy lead, the rest follow according to that form. It is so called when the march stretcheth itself forth into a wing, having the depth many times exceeding the length. Against it is opposed the caelembolos or hollow-wedge, which is framed when the Antistomus diphalange disjoineth the leading wings, closing the rear in form of the letter V, as the figure after doth teach, in which the front is dissevered, and the rear joined and knit together: for the right induction pointing at the midst of the Enemy's battle, the Caelembolos quickly opening before, serveth both to frustrate the charge of the front of the induction, and to clasp in and circumvent the flanks thereof. Furthermore a Triphalange is to be set against the Caelembolos, one Phalange fight against one wing of the Caelembolos, the second against the other, and the middle or third phalange forbearing, and expecting a time fit to charge. NOTES. THe Marching of an Army is a principal head of war. Aelian toucheth it no further, then to show the order and shapes of battles fit for a March: and were it possible, that all grounds were alike open, and without impediments, as namely without trees, ditches, hedge-rowes ragged ways, valleys, hills, brooks, and such like, the best form of your marching should be to proceed with your whole phalange in a square battle, which form is teady for all attempts of the enemy, and is the beginning and source of other forms, and with no great difficulty will take & be changed into any shape you desire. a Leo● 9 ●. 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34. Leo showeth the inconueniency of the Hearse or induction in marching thorough Champain and large plains, first in that the Enemy with a broad-fronted battle may enfold and encompass the front, and so easily rout it then, because if the Enemy charge the flank it will quickly be broken, as being without depth: further, if he fall upon the rear, it is in the like danger of encompassing, as was the front: lastly neither can the front give succour and assistance to the rear, in case it be overpressed by the Enemy, nor yet the rear to the front, they being so far distance one from another. And he concludeth that the form of a square or broad-fronted battle, is fit for a march in all occasions, being easily to be ordered, and without danger. But seeing it is not possible, as b Polib. ●. ●7. 766. B Polybius saith, or else very hard to find out places of 20 furlong, or more, where in none of the impediments above recited shall be, the forms of marching must necessarily be accommodated to the ground and ways through which your forces are to pass: what forms they be, the following Chapters will show. 2. Some kind of March is a right Induction.) The expectation of the enemy's approach is oftentimes a cause of varying th● kinds of march: if he always appeared in front, there should need no other proceeding then with the fileleaders in front: because he seeks his advantage, and in the March sometimes attacheth the rear, sometimes one flank, sometimes another, the Grecians to provide for all attempts, so ordered their March, that wheresoever they feared the enemies giving on, there they opposed the fileleaders, as the best men of the Army, and most able to receive the affront: yet for the most part the March was undertaken in a right induction, that is; without inverting the ordinary kind of file-leading in front, which also is our manner of marching at this day. But yet sometimes in a 3. Deduction on the right or left hand.] There is but one kind of right induction, viz. a march, that hath the fileleaders in the front. Of Deductions there are 2 kinds: one to the right, the other to the left hand. And because the fileleaders march on the right or left hand flank, not in front; therefore the one is called a right hand deduction; the other a left hand deduction. So that not the body which continueth or beginneth the march, but the place of the fileleaders in the march, makes the difference betwixt Induction and Deduction. What the Use of Deduction is, we shall see in the next Chapter. 4. A right Induction is.] Aelian describeth the right Induction by the marching of several bodies of one kind one after another: as if a a A Xenagy and a Syntagma, are all one: It consisteth of 16 files, 16 men to the file. Xenagy lead, all the rest of the forces are to be separated into Xenagies, and singly one after another to follow the first leading Xenagy: so of other bodies lesser or greater. Notwithstanding in a right Induction, we must take this caution withal, that the fileleaders proceed in the front; for otherwise if they be placed in the flank, it is now no induction, but a deduction, howsoever the several bodies of a kind follow one another. This is that manner of marching which is called, marching in a wing, of which I have spoken sufficiently in my notes upon the 30 Chapter. There are other kind of inductive marches set forth in the Greek History, which are not altogether of the form which Aelian describeth: for where Aelian would have Xenagies to follow one another with the fileleaders in front, his meaning is, that the whole 16 files of the Xenagie should be laid together all the fileleaders being laid in an even front. Now you have examples where whole Companies march in one file; so that all the fileleaders have not the front, but rest included in the inward parts of the file, and yet many of these files joined together make an induction. a Xenoph. Cyr●p, l. 2. 56. Xenophon reporteth, that when Cyrus the elder was mustering and exercising his Army in the field, there came unto him a messenger from Cyaxares the King of the: Medes, being Cyrus his uncle, signifying, that an Ambassador was arrived from the Indies, in which regard, said he, the King would have you to come to him with all speed, and I bring you from Cyaxares one of his richest garments: For he desireth in regard the Indians are to see you, that your presence may be adorned with as fair and sumptuous apparel as may be. Cyrus' receiving this message, commanded the first b A Taxiarch was a Captain of 100 men. Taxiarchi to stand in front, having his Company ordered behind him in c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. one file, and himself holding the right corner file of the battle, and willed him to deliver that Command to the second Taxiarch, and so the word to pass to the rest: They quickly obeyed, and put the Command in execution; and so it came to pass in short space, that the Front had in it 300, (for so many the Taxiarches were) the depth of the battle 100 After they stood in this order, he commanded them to follow, as he led, and straightway he led them running: but because he perceived that the way was too straight to march with so many in Front, he willed the first d This was a body of 1000 men, and they were now ordered to in Front, the depth 100 Chiliarchy to follow in the same order in which it then was, and the second in the Rear thereof, and so the rest: and he sent two Sergeants to the turnings of the way, to give direction to such as were not fully instructed in the business. When they were come to Cyaxares gate, he willed the first Taxiarch to order his Company 12 deep, and the e The file was 24, and the Dodecadarches commanded the hinder half files. Dodecadarches to stand in Front all along the palace; and he willed to signify so much to the next Taxiarch; and so the rest one to another through the whole Army. They did as they were commanded: and he went in to Cyaxares. Here have you first a Company drawn into file, and so standing; then 299 Companies fashioned into files, and laid flanke-wise to the first, and so marching as long as the ground would permit: The ground afterward being capable of no more than 10 in front, the Chiliarchy of the right hand was drawn forth to lead the march, which consisted of 10 Companies, the Body being 10 in front, and 100 in depth: The rest of all the Chiliarchies followed the Rear one of another in the same order: coming to a place where Alte was to be made, the first Taxiarch drew out his Company by 12, placing the first file leader in front with the first 12 of the file, and sleeving up the Dodecadarch of the same file to Front with the file leader, and the hindermost 12 of them that followed him to rank with the former half file; the like was done by the 3 other files, so that each Taxis had 8 in Front, and 12 in depth, and there being 30000 men in that Army, the whole Army comprehended 300 Taxis, the half files of 12 a piece, amount to the number of 2400: so many men in number also making the Front of the Army. And for the leading of the first Chiliarchy in the strait way, and the rest following in the like form, it was an induction, which notwithstanding differeth from Aelians' induction. Aelians' Chiliarchy in the induction requireth the file leaders in front, this dispersed them in the whole body, Aelians' Chiliarchy would have had but 16 in depth, this had 100 For marching in like manner with the Captains before, and the single files of a Company cast into one file after them, I find another example in a Xenoph Cyrop. ●5. 103. B. Xenophon. The elder Cyrus being to invade Assyria by night, directeth his Army thus; Let us leave with the carriage beasts and wagons, such as are fittest for that service, and let Cobrias be their Leader, because he is both skilful in the ways, and otherwise sufficient for any affair of Command: And let us set forward with the best and most able horse and foot, carrying with us victual for three days: for the lighter, and with the less cumber we shall appoint out selves, with so much the more pleasure the after passing days shall we dine, sup, and sleep. Now let the march be ordered in this manner: First, you Chrysanthas, lead the b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. armed foot with all their Captains in Front, as long as the way is even and broad; and let every Company be ordered in c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. depth soldier after soldier file-wise; for the closer we put ourselves together, the sooner and safer shall we end our march. The cause why I would have the Armed go before, is in regard they are the heaviest of the Army; and when the heaviest go before, the light must ●●eds follow a● ease. But when the lightest lead, especially in the night, it is no marvel if the Army be severed and distracted, the light easily slipping away, and hastening in the Vaunt. Next unto these, let Artabazus lead the Targeteers and Archers of the Persians, and Andramias the Median, the Median footmen next, then let Embas follow with the Armenian foot, and Artuchas after him with the Hyrcanians, and next Thambradas with the Sacan foot, than Damatas with the Cadusian●, and let all these march with the Captains in front, and on the right flank of their d Plesium is a hollow square battle. Plesium the Targeteers (or Peltasts) the Archers on their left; for so shall they better second one another. After these let the whole baggage march, the Commanders whereof must be careful to have all things ready before they sleep, and early in the morning to be at the appointed place with their furniture, and decently to march forward. After the baggage let Madatas the Persian lead the Persian Horse with their Captains in front, and let the Captain's order their Companies in a file, as the foot Captains did: Next after these Rambaces the Median, in the same sort the Horse which he commandeth: Then you Tygraves your horse: Then the other Horse Captains every one the Horse with which they serve me. And as the Cadusians came last to my service, let them close up the rear of the Army: Thus Xenophon. The passage is somewhat long, but I thought good to recite it, because it containeth the order of night marches usual of old time. First, the armed foot march every Nation after other, as long as the ground would give leave, in a square battle framed of Company laid to Company, every Company drawn out into a file, the Targeteers on the one flank, the Archers on the other: then the carriage: last of all the Horse. The reason is added why the slowest have the Vaunt, namely, lest in the night, when all things (saith the same Xenophon) are to be understood and done by direction to the ear, and not to the eye, the Horsemen or light armed (who are nimble & quick, the Horsemen by reason of the Horse that carry them; the light armed, because they are troubled with no weight of Arms) leading, they might happily with their speed outgo, and leave the heavy armed behind, who being burdened with the heaviness of their Arms, can march but slowly. But my principal end was to show, that the fileleaders in an induction●, are not always placed in Front; I will add one example out of a Xen. de exp. l. ● 284. ●. Xenophon more to the same purpose; When the Grecians that followed Cyrus the younger into Persia, returned toward their Country, they came as far●e as the river Phiscus; they found there a bridge, and not far off a great City called Opis, at which the base brother of Cyrus and Artaxerxes, leading from Susa and Ecbatana a mighty Army with him, to give aid to the King, met the Grecians; and causing his own Army to make alte, he took unto of the Grecians as they passed by. Clearchus led his Army b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 in Front, and in his march oftentimes made alte. As long as the Vaunt of the Army stayed, so long the Rear must likewise stay. So that the Grecians were of opinion they had a great Army; and the Persian was abashed at the sight of such a multitude. Whether this march were Aelia●s right Induction, a man would doubt, because it is not expressed by Xenophon particularly how the bodies of the Phalange did march: only he saith, that Clearchus led 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in binos saith the Latin translation: I interpret it 2 in Front. For two in depth it could not be, because Xenophon speaketh of a stand made oftentimes by the Vaunt which caused the Rear to stay. And had the Army been but 2 in depth, it had bean all Vaunt, the 10000 Grecians being ordered into two ranks and no more, each of them being 5000 men: besides that, the Persian wondered at the multitude which passed by him in flank; which flank, if it had consisted of no more than two, his wonder would soon have ended. But Clearchus used Art to make his number seem greater, and being but 2 in Front, they must needs be 5000 in file; to which 5000 giving 6 foot a piece for their open order, the ground will contain 30000 foot in depth, which amount to six miles of ours. The usage of the Lacedæmonians was to march sometimes Five foot make a pace, 30000 foot are 6 miles, 1000 paces making a mile. with 2 in Front, if the way were strait. So did Dercyllidas in Asia the less, when entering into a City, his whole Army followed him peaceably 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 two in Front. So ᵇ Archidamus the son of Agesilaus, advancing against the Arcadians by a cart way that led to Cromnum, ordered his Army 2 in front, as than his march fell out. When they approached one to another, Archidamus his army being in a wing by reason of the straightness of the way, the Archadians in a broad-fronted phalange, with targets close faced together, the Lacedæmonians could not endure the charge of the Arcadians, and forthwith both Archidamus was wounded through the thigh, and they slain that fought before him. He saith that Archidamus marched two in front wing-wise by reason of the straightness of the way. In that he saith wing-wise, he showeth the army was drawn out in depth, which is proper to an induction; and when he maketh the way the cause, he giveth a reason, why it so marched. But to return to that I first propounded, the inductions hitherto specified in the former examples seem to differ from Aelians' right-induction, as neither having all the fileleaders in front, nor yet single bodies of the same kind one to follow another, the companies being each drawn into one file, and then two, or three, or four, or more of these files laid together, according to the largeness of the way, and the rest of the army following in the manner afore expressed. 5. Against it is opposed the Caelembolos.] The Caelembolos is a wedge hollow in front, and to be opposed against the right induction, saith Aelian. I have noted before that it hath been the manner of all famous Generals to fit the embattailing of their armies to the form which the enemy useth at the time of joining: and therefore it much concerneth the a Onosand ●. 16. Commander of an army to be skilful in all forms, which are of true use, and to know the advantage that one carrieth against another. The right induction is, and always hath been the ordinary form to march in. To order your troops in an advantageous form against it, the Caelembolos was invented: It is called by the greeks a hollow wedge, because it is not filled up in the midst, but includeth a void space bias-wise in front betwixt the points of both wings, and joineth itself together in the rear. So that to one that shall view it behind it seems a plain wedge, and yet in propriety of speech it cannot be called a Wedge; for a Wedge hath three sides and three points, and beareth the true form of a triangle; and with the former point it chargeth the enemy, as hath been shown in the horseman's wedge. This hath but one point and two sides, neither doth it charge the enemy with the point, but receiving the front of his battle into the empty space, striketh upon both the flanks thereof with the wings, it hath opened, and so seeketh to distress it; the Caelembolos having this advantage, that it fighteth with the best men, viz. the fileleaders ordered in the inside of the wings thereof, not against the file-leader of the right induction, but against the weaker sort, who are ordinarily placed in the flanks thereof. The Latin names are more fit and significant to express the form. By some it is called a b Forceps Veges. l. 3. c. 18. 19 pair of tongues, by othersome a c A. Gellius l. 10. ●. 9 ●orfex. pair of shears, both appellations serving to set forth the right form of the Caelembolos: for the one and the other open their foremost parts to a pretty distance, and the hinder parts, which are pinned and fastened together, end in a narrow point, as doth the Caelembolos. And they were so far from terming it a wedge, that they held it the best form to receive and frustrate the charge of the true wedge, as may be seen in d Vege●. l. 10. c. 18 Vegetius. 6. Which is framed when.] The fashioning of the Caelembolos springeth out the Diphalange Antistomus. What that Diphalange is, we shall see in the 40 chapter of this book. Thus much I may beforehand signify, that the fileleaders ought to be placed within the hollow flanks of the Caelembolos, as it were a lining to the insides; and the Diphalange Antistomus being once framed (which is to have the fileleaders in the midst from the one end of the battle to the other) there needeth no further labour, then to dispatch the front in the midst (leaving the fileleaders on both sides) and to fasten and join together the rear, to the end that the front of the right induction may enter into the hollowness, but yet be mashed, as it were in a net, and neither able to pass through the rear of the Caelembolos, being close shut, nor yet to give offence to those that fight in the front of the Caelembolos, having no man whom they may charge in the void space; nor yet daring to break the form of their battle after joining. For it is a good observation of e Vege● l 3. 8 89. Xenoph. Cyrop. Vegetius, that in fight the manner of your embattailing is not to be changed, nor any number of Soldiers to be transported to other places than they have: For hereof tumult and confusion will straight arise, and the enemy will easily take advantage of such as are not ready or fallout to be disordered. I have said that the Latins and Grecians differ in the name of this battle, howbeit they agree both about the form, which may here appear by Aelian, who resembleth it to the letter V, neither can there a better resemblance be made; for as the letter V consisteth of two lines which are open in the top, close in the bottom, so doth this form of battle of two sides, which in front are void, open, and dissevered, in the rear joined and closed fast together. If you will therefore frame this battle, you must first make a square, the fileleaders being all in front; then must you wheel the wings of your battle into the midst, and so your fileleaders shall be in the midst; lastly, you are to open the front of your battle, leaving half the fileleaders in the inside of one flank, and half in the inside of the other, keeping the rear close knit together: and for the opening, it ought to be somewhat more than will receive into the void space the front of the right induction, which being once let in, the inward two flanks of the wedge where the fileleaders are, aught to face to both hands, and to charge the outward flanks of the right induction, and so circumvent them. 7. Furthermore, a Triphalange.] A Triphalange in this place of Aelian is, when a square body or phalange is from front to rear divided into three parts. The figure shows the manner. The Triphalange hath as much advantage against the Caelembolos, as the Caelembolos had against the right induction. The Caelembolos compelled the right induction to fight with the worst men, and avoided the affront of the fileleaders, which were the best. The Triphalange having the fileleaders in front, opposeth two several fronts: against the two wings of the Caelembolos, where there are no fileleaders (for they are always disposed for the inside) and both avoideth the advantage the Caelembolos sought, and maketh the Caelembolos fight with the worst men, in as much as one of the Phalanges chargeth the front of one wing of the Caelembolos, the fileleaders whereof are in flank within the hollowness, the other chargeth the other. Now it hath this advantage beside, that it spareth reserves for all occasions, by off-holding the third Phalange. If the Caelembolos be beaten by the two opposing Phalanges, all is lost, and no hope left of winning the field, no other forces being to second it, where notwithstanding the Caelembolos having gotten the better, may be kerbed, and the victory arrested by this reserve, and by the remnant of the other two Phalanges broken. Words of direction in the right induction. 1 The right-corner Xenagy march out So is it of all other bodies, if they begin the march. 2 The rest follow in Xenagies Direction for the Caelembolos. 1. Wheel the wings of your battle into the midst of your body— So shall the file-leader be in the midst; but we must note that the two middlemost leaders must be centors for the other to wheel about. 2. Open your front to the right and left hand, keeping your Rear close. For the Triphalange. 1 The two wings face to the right and left hand, the middle remaining as it was. 2 Match out to the distance required: That is, to be able to meet in a right line the two fronts of the wings of the Caelembolos. 3 Stand, When they come to the place required. 4 Face as you were 5 Advance and charge. Of Paragoge or deduction. CHAP. XXXVII. (1) PArogoge or deduction is when the Phalange proceedeth in (2) a wing, not by (3) file, but by rank, having the commanders or fileleaders either on the right-hand, which is called a right hand deduction, or on the left hand, which is a lefthand deduction. For the Phalange marcheth in a (4) double, treble, or quadruple front, according to the place or part it is suspected the enemy will give on. And both the paragogies beginning the fight in flank, do (5) make the length doubt to the depth. This form of fight was devised to teach a Soldier to receive heedfully the charge of the enemy, not only in front but also in flank. NOTES. (1) DEduction is when the Phalange.] Induction is spoken of, Deduction followeth, which is the second kind of march. For these are no Cap. 37. A four fronted Phalange against all allemptes of the Enemy The Front of the rear The Front of the right flank The Front of the left flank The Front of the Narch other kinds than Induction and Deduction: the one with the fileleaders in front, the other with the fileleaders in flank. Neither doth the greatness or smallness of the body make any difference herein; be the body never so great (as is the Phalange) or so small (as one Company) yet must the fileleaders either lead, or else be in flank of the march. The rear in necessity may well be made good by the bringers up. Deduction is the mother of many forms of battles usual in marches: from it come the Caelembolos, whereof we spoke before; from it are the Antistomus, the Peristomus, the Homoiostomus, the Heterostomus, of which hereafter. 2 When the Phalange proceedeth in a wing.] Suidas hath, that Paragoge or deduction is said to be when the phalange marcheth with the fileleaders on the right or left hand; if on the left, it is said to be a lefthand deduction; if on the right, a right-hand deduction. He maketh no mention of a wing as Aelian doth; for it may so fall out, that the body may be such as hath the depth and breadth all one, as a Xenagy which hath sixteen in breadth, and sixteen in depth: some bodies also, as the Taxis and Tetrarchies have the depth less than the breadth, the first holding sixteen in depth & no more than eight in breadth, the last four in breadth and sixteen in depth, so that they march not in a wing. But because marches for the most part are undertaken in a wing, it is the cause why Aelian saith that deductions proceed in a wing, the depth whereof manifoldly exceedeth the length, and they proceed. 3. Not by file but by rank.] That is, the fileleaders being wheeled to the flank, after they have settled themselves to march, proceed on their journey as they stand in the flank, only facing that way the march is intended, and return not to lead in the front of the battle, as they did at first. To lead by file is, when the fileleaders proceed, and have their files following at their back. To lead by rank is, when that which was the flank at first, becometh the front, and beginneth the march, and the rest follow accordingly flanke-wise: yet this is to be noted, that albeit the front of the battle be changed in the deduction, yet remain the files, files as they were before, and are not altered into ranks. Aelian himself giveth testimony hereto, affirming that the Phalange proceedeth not by file, but by rank, whereas if the files held not their first name after wheeling to the right or left flank, the march forward (the fileleaders being in the flank) should be by file and not by rank. 4. For the phalange marcheth in a double, treble, or quadruple side.] A doublesided 〈…〉 is that, which hath the fileleaders on both the flanks, the rest back to back within, when the enemy giveth on. For otherwise, when they march forward, all their faces are set one way, that is toward the place whether the march is intended. A treble-sided battle is, when three sides of the battle are to be charged, whether the front and both the flanks, or both the flanks and the rear, or the rear, one of the flanks, and the front, and the fileleaders are ordered on all the three sides. A quadruple battle is, when the fileleaders are placed in front in the rear and in both the flanks. An example of the quadruple battle will show the use and framing of the rest: for as the rest oppose one, two, or three sides against the enemy, so the quadruple fortifieth and strengtheneth all the four sides, by placing the fileleaders in them. Of ordering the fileleaders upon one flank, deduction may be be an example; upon both flanks, the Antistomus phalange upon front and rear, the Amphistomus, on all four sides, the Plesium, of all which occasion will be given to speak hereafter. Now I may signify that the Plesium is a square hollow battle, the length whereof much exceedeth the depth, having the armed foot placed on all the four sides, the lightarmed thrown into the midst. The Grecians that followed Cyrus the younger into Persia against King Artaxerxes, after their Colonels were taken prisoners and put to death by the subtlety and perjury of Tissaphernes, being but 10000 and to retreat thorough open and plain grounds, in which they were like to be charged by an infinite number of horse and foot, by the advice of Xenophon, cast themselves into this form; his words are in effect these, We Xenoph. de exp. 13. 304. E. shall, it may be march in more safety, if we order ourselves into a Plesium of armed foot, and give the carriage and disarmed multitude a place of security within the hollowness of the battle. If therefore it be now resolved aforehand, who shall command in the front of the Plesium, and take charge of Vaunt, who on the flanks, and who in the rear, we shall not need to take advice at the approach of the enemy, but put in execution that which is resolved before. And a little after: And mine opinion is, that Cherisophus is the fittest Commander for the Vaunt, because he is a Lacedaemonian; and let two of the ●ldest Colonels take care of the Flanks; the youngest, namely myself and Timasion, will look to the rear. This was Xenophons' counsel, and in this form they marched, and being charged afterward with both Persian Horse and foot, they defended themselves against all efforts of the Enemy. The quadruple battle therefore was used, when the enemy was expected to give on all sides; and he that can frame it, can easily cast his troops into the other two forms; yet will not every receiving the enemy in flank prove a Deduction; for in case of necessity and sudden approaches of the enemy, you shall be driven to Facing, wherein you only turn the faces of soldiers to the flank without any deduction. See the figure of this battle expressed in the picture. 5. Do make the length double to the depth.] I suspect this place to be corrupted in the text of Aelian, the rather because before in the description of a Deduction, he saith that Deductions proceed in a wing, wherein the depth a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. manifoldly exceedeth the length of the battle, as the last foregoing chapter doth show. Besides the example, which is given in the text is not of double proportion, but of treble and more, ten comprehending three, three times and more. Of the Phalange Antistomus. CHAP. XXXVIII. (1) THe Phalange Amphistomus (for it is so called, because it hath two fronts, and that part of the battle that is set and advanced against the enemy, is called a front:) seeing then in this form the middlemost are ordered back to back, and those in the front and rear make head against the enemy, the one being Commanders in front, the other in rear, therefore it is called Amphistomus. It is of great use against an enemy strong in Horse and able to give a hot and dangerous charge, and principally practised against Cap. 38 The Phalange Amphistomus those Barbarians that inhabit about the river Ister, whom they also call Amphippi, because they change their Horse in fight. The Horse battle to encounter this form hath a tetragonall shape, being for the purpose divided into two broad squares (they are called broad squares, that have the front twice as much as the depth) and those squares are opposed severally against the flanks of the foot-battaile. NOTES. (1) THere are many kinds of battles, which being useful for a march, are described partly in the former two chapters, partly in this and in the chapters following, whereof some are for ease of the march (as the induction) some for fight. Those which are for fight, are either offensive, or else defensive. Of the offensive kind is the Caelembolos before mentioned, of the defensive the Triphalange to be opposed against the Caelembolos, and both the deductions, which are represented in the two last Chapters: and in this chapter is described another of the defensive forms, that is to say the Phalange Autistomus; in which although the march be not continued (for it is always taken up in a stand, to resist a charge of the enemy) yet it is a remedy defensive against the sudden attempts of the enemy which is about to charge your rear. 2. The Phalange Amphistomus.] The title of this chapter is litigious, and there is a controversy amongst the learned, which of two names the chapter should bear. Gaza, Gesner, and Arcierus, would have it inscribed Antitistomus; Robortellus, Amphistomus: I have in the translation followed the opinion of Robortellus; my reason was, because of these words in Aelian, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, they in the beginnings (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) charge the enemy: which word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, I have not read applied to the flanks, and therefore took it for front and rear, because the one, namely the front is as it were the beginning of the battle, the other, viz. the rear, is the end. In which sense if you take the word, the description must needs agree with the Amphistomus, which (the enemy charging both front and rear) with the fileleaders and their half files as they stand, receive those that charge the front, with the brnigers-up, and the other half files facing about to the right or left hand, those which charge the rear. But since, upon better consideration, I think there is a fault in the text; and where it is written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, it should be corrected and written (as I take it) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. For that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signify the flanks of the battle. a jul. Pellux. l. ●. c. 10. julius Pollux testifieth in these words; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. The forepart of those that fight, is called the front, the ranks, and the face; the outward parts on each side (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) the flanks, the wings, the right and the left; the midst the navel; Arr. l. 5. ●09. F. the depth, the parget, or wall. The like doth b Leo c. 7. §. 58. 59 etc. 14. §. 8. ●9. 70. 87. 89.. Leo in many places: and as far as I can read, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the plural number is generally taken for the flanks; albeit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the singular number I deny not to be used for the rear sometimes: as in c Xenoph. Cyrop. 178. E. Agathias pa. 39 l. 19 who also calleth the front-point of a wedge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Xenophon, who describing a fight betwixt the Corcyreians and Lacedæmonians, hath thus; Mnasippus (the Lacedaemonian General) embattailing his army put the enemy, that was near the gates to flight, and followed the cha●●. They being come near the walls, turned again, and threw and cast darts from the mountains: other running out of the other gates in good numbers fell upon the b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. rear of the Lacedæmonians, who being ordered but c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 8 deep, and thinking the d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. rear of the Phalange to be but weak, endeavoured to retire and fall off. The enemy no sooner saw them give ground, but presently fell on more eagerly, imagining they fled: neither did they turn their faces any more, and they who stood next unto them soughe with all speed to save themselves by flight. Mnasippus could give no aid to his distressed soldiers by reason he was hardly laid to by the Corcireans, that came to hands with him; and his number by little and little decreased: at last the enemy in great numbers pressed them sore that stood about Mnasippus, who were now reduced to a very few. And the armed foot of the City seeing what was done abroad, issued out, and after they had slain Mnasippus, they followed the chase all of them together. Thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Diodor. sic. li. 19 693. Xenophon. And thus you may see 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the singular number taken for the rear of the Phalange, howsover▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the plural, signifieth the flanks. The Antistomus Phalange therefore differing from the Amphistomus in this only, because the last maintains fight in front and rear, the first in both flanks, and Aelian in this Chapter describing the battle which maintains the fight 1184. C. Suidas useth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the right wing, now the wing stretcheth in front, from the middle section to the point of the battle Aelian. c. 7. in the flanks, it seemeth that the inscription ought to be of the Phalange Antistomus, and that the text ought to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. It may after a sort appear by Aelian himself in the next Chapter, where making a difference betwixt these two battles, he saith plainly, that the Antistomus fighteth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Read then in the text, Those in the flanks make head against the enemy, in stead of these words: Those in front and rear, and all the rest will agree to the Phalange Antistomus. 3. It is of great use] The use of this battle is principally against horse, as Aelian giveth to understand; because they are quick and speedy, and can suddenly turn, divide themselves, and charge where they list. And the flanks of the battle being the weakest part (for your best men are placed in the front and rear) it is needful to find out some means to defend them, which is to instruct your Soldiers how to receive the charge by turning their faces to the flanks. In front you are always ready; because faces and weapons are bend that way. Effect the like in the flanks, and you shall be able to resist any charge of the enemy. For foot, the danger is not so great, because your men shall be able to face every way, as readily as the enemy; give them only exercise, and acqaint them with that manner of fight. 4. And principally practised against the Barbarians.] That it was much used amongst the Grecians I find not in there history: yet is there no doubt, but the use may be great in it as well as in the Amphistomus. But I take the reason, why it was seldom put in practice, to be, because the flanks of pikes in the Grecian battle were for the most part, guarded with horse and lightarmed. The front and rear having no such defence, were commonly attached by the enemy, seeking all advantage to distress them; and in case the horse and lightarmed be absent, the flanks are the fairest mark of the enemy; which can by no other means be secured, but by facing that way where he giveth on; which may be evidently seen by the fight Cyrus the elder had against Croesus, which example you shall see set out in my notes upon the 46. Chap. page 79. 5. Those are broad squares] That which I here translate a broad square, is in the Greek Heteromekes; of which form I have spoken in notes upon the 30. Chapter. Cap. 39 The Phalange Antistomus Front Words of direction for the Phalange Antistomus (for that form is described in this Chapter.) 1. Half ranks, face to the right and left hands. 2. Charge your Pikes. To restore to the first Posture. 1. Advance your Pikes. 2. Face as you were. (1) Of the Phalange antistomus. CHAP. XXXIX. (1) THe Phalange Antistomus is like to the Amphistomus, the form being a little altered; so that it accustometh the Soldier to resist the several kinds of incursions of horse. All that hath been spoken of the former Phalange both for foot and horse, agreeth with this figure also. Herein they differ, that the (2) Amphistomus receiveth the charge in front and rear, the Antistomus in flank: but as well in the one as the other, they fight with long pikes, as do the Alans, and Sauromatans': and the one half of the soldiers in the files have their faces bend forward, the other half backward, so that they stand back to back. This form hath two fronts, the one before where the-file leaders, the other behind, where the bringers up stand; And being also divided into a (3) Diphalange, it maketh the forefront with one, the after-front with the other Phalange. NOTES. (1) AS the title of the former Chapter was mistaken, so is the title of this Chapter. The other should have been of the Antistomus (as I have before showed) this of the Amphistomus. That it should be of the Amphistomus, the very words following in this Chapter will prove, which are these: The one half, saith he, of the armed soldiers in the files have their faces bend forward, the other half backward; so that they stand back to back: and the battle hath two frontes, one before, where the fileleaders, the other behind, where the bringers up stand. He describeth the two fronts by the fileleaders and bringers up, whose proper places are the front and rear, & not the flanks; and further addeth, that half the armed soldiers have their faces bend forward, (and change not) the other half turned about backward; whereas in the Antistomus all the soldiers move, and half face to one flank, half to the other, and none to the front or rear: beside he saith, that half the armed in the files stand back to back, whereas in the Antistomus half the armed in the ranks stand back to back, not those of the files. (2) Now that the Amphistomus receiveth the charge of the enemy in the front and rear a Leo cap. 7. § 80. & cap. 12. §. 29. Leo also declareth. The manner whereof appeareth in b Appian Puni●●● pag. 9 Appian; who recounteth that Asdrubal the Carthaginian sought to entrap Scipio, giving Mago his general of the horse commandement to charge. Scipio his army in front, whiles himself charged it in the rear. But Scipio turning the rear of his battle against Asdrubal, and opposing the front of it against Mago; overthrew them both, and slew 5000 Carthaginians, and took 1800 prisoners. To make the manner of fight in this form more plain, I thought fit to insert an history or two out of Polybius and Arrian, as examples to illustrate that meaning of Aelian. In Polybius this is the history. The Gauls in great multitudes under the conduct of Concolitanus and Aneroestus their Kings, transcending the Alps, and passing through Polyb. lib. 2. 115. A Lombardy, and falling upon a part of Hetrucia, had gathered rich spoils out of that terretory, and being now upon return to their country, they were pursued by one of the Roman Consuls L. Aemelius and his army, not with intent to fight with them (for he held it not safe) but to observe fit times and places to distress them, or else to keep them from further spoil. At the same time C. Attilius the other Consul having embarked his legions in Sardinia, and setting sail for Italy arrived at Pisa, and holding his way toward Rome marched directly in the way in which the enemy was coming. The Celts being now about Telamonius, a promontory of Hetrucia, their foragers fell into the hands of the Vantcurrers of Attilius, and were taken prisoners; They informed the Consul of all that happened, and signified the presence of both armies; telling that the Gauls were at hand, and that L. Aemilius followed them close in their rear. Attilius partly marvelling at the strangeness of the news, and parley being full of good hope, because the Gauls seemed to be surprised and hemmed in betwixt two armies, commanded the Tribunes to order his legions in a broad-front, and so to lead on leisurely, as long as the ground would give leave: himself in good time discovering a hill which hung over the way, in which the Gauls were to pass, took with him the horse, and sought with all speed to seize upon the top of it, and to begin the medley; conceiting thereby to have the honour and title of the whole service ascribed to him: the Gauls were at first ignorant of Attilius approaching, but conjectured only that it might be Aemylius had led his horse about in the night to seize uponuseful places: they sent therefore their horse and lightarmed to beat the Romans from the hill: but soon understanding by some captives that Attilius was there, they presently embattled, ordering their army b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. into two fronts, the one before, the other behind; for they knew that one army was following, and they expected as well by the news they heard, as by that which they saw fall out at that time, that the other would meet them upon their march: Aemylius herd that the legions of Attilius were arrived at Pisa, but could not imagine they were come so near; but after that by the fight about the hill, he perceived certainly they were at hand, he sent out his horse to second those that fought for the hill, himself ordering his battles after the Roman wont fashion, led on against the eenmy. The Celts embattled those that are called Gesates, and dwelled in the Alps, against Aemylius, who they imagined would charge the rear, and next to them the Insubrians. In the front they set the Taurtscans and Bo●ans (inhabiting beyond the river Po) turning their faces a contrary way to the former, and opposed to the access of Caius Attilius, the wanes and wagons they placed without both wings, and sent their prey gained to a hill thereby, appointing a sufficient guard to keep it. So the Amphistomus Phalange, which the Celtes cast themselves into, was not only fearful to the eye, but also fitly ordered for fight. The Insubrians and Boyans came forth to fight wearing bretches & a kind of loose and light coats; but the Gesates out of a vain glory and rashness cast them away, and stood naked, saving that they had their arms alone, in the front of the battle, imagining they were by that means fitter for action, by reason of the bushes of the place, which would catch hold of any garment, and be a hindrance to the use of arms. The first fight was about the hill in the sight of all, by reason that the multitude of so many horse-menout of both armies were mingled together in fight; wherein it happened Attilius to be slain (while too venturously he offered himself to danger) and his head to be presented to the Kings of the Celts, but yet the Roman horsemen bravely fight, became masters of the place, and of the enemy: After this the foot joining, the accident was rare and marvellous not only to them which were present, but also to all those, who can by reading represent before their eyes the truth of that which was done. For first the fight being attached by 3 armies, it must needs be that the very sight and manner of the conflict appeared strange and without example; secondly, who would not doubt either now or then, whether the Celts manner of embattailing were more dangerous, the enemy charging them in two places at once; or the best and aptest for victory, as opposing against both the enemies at once, and withal securing themselves from encompassing and invasion of the rear: and which is of most importance, no hope being left of safety, if they should chance to be foiled. For that is the property and profit of the Amphistomus battle; it made the Romans more confident, to have the enemy enclosed on all sides; and yet the bravery and noise and tumult of the Celts gave them cause of astonishment; For there was an innumerable multitude of Trumpets and Shawms, to which the whole army together adding the Paean, the cry was so great, that not only the trumpets and army, but the places round about with their rebounding echoes seemed of themselves to speak. Furthermore, the sight and motion of the naked men that stood in the front, being in flower of their age, and excelling in tallness of stature, was fearful. Now all the Gauls that had the front were adorned with bracelets and chains of gold; which the Romans eyeing, were partly astonished, partly being filled with rich hopes, were incited much the rather to join battle; but when the darters running out of the Roman army according to their custom, threw many and forcible darts at the Celtes, the Celtes of the rear found good use of their coats and breeches; but those that fought naked in the front, this accident happening contrary to their expectation, were troubled out of measure and wonderfully perplexed: for the Gaulish target being not of sufficiency to cover a man's body, the greater and nakeder their bodies were, the more were they subject to wounds, and the less the weapons miss the mark. At the last, being not able to save themselves from the lightarmed, who plied them a far off, nor from the multitude of darts that fell amongst them, and being troubled and confused with their present state, some of them out of a rage and brutishness ran vainly upon the enemy, and willingly offered themselves to slaughter, other retiring leisurely to their friends, and showing manifest tokens of fear, disordered them behind. Thus the Roman lightarmed allayed the pride of the Gesates. But the multitude of the Insubrians, Boyans, and Tauriscans, after the Romans had received their lightarmed into their battle, and advanced the cohorts, (of armed) to join hand to hand, maintained a stout fight, and albeit they received many wounds, yet fainted they not in minds, being only inferior both generally and particularly in the kind of arms they bore. For both their targets in defence, and their swords in offence, had a great difference; by reason the Gaulois sword is only fit to strike withal. But when the Roman horse from the hill hasted down in wing, and stoutly came to handy strokes with them, the footmen of the Celtes were cut in pieces in the places where they fought, and the horse took themselves to flight: There died therefore of the Celtes 30000, and 10000 were take prisoners, amongst whom was Concolitan one of the Kings, the other K. Aneroestus, flying to a certain place with a few, killed himself and his friends that were about him. This example hath Polibyus of the Amphistomus Phalange; wherein he both showeth the form, and the use of it, namely, that it hath a front both ways to receive the enemies charge before and in the rear. a Arian lib. 5. 112. A Arrian hath another example in the battle between Alexander the Great and Porus a king of India; his words are to this effect; Alexander was now come within the reach of missive weapons, when he sent his Archers on horseback against the left wing of the Indians, to molest the enemy on that side, both with multitude of arrows, and with incursion of the horse: and himself also having with him the troops of Companies, spurring on against the same wing, using all celerity to fall upon them (who were yet out of order and in a wing) before they could reduce themselves into a Phalange. In the mean time the Indians knitting together their whole power of horse, made head against Alexander with all speed, giving their horse a full career. Then Caenus, as was commanded, showed himself at their backs. The Indians seeing this, were forced to order their horse in an Amphistomus, opposing one part (the most and strongest) to Alexander, the other to Caenus and his troops; which thing troubled the array and minds of the Indians. And Alexander, taking hold of the opportunity, charged those which were opposed to him in the instant, while the other were facing about to Caenus. The Indians endured not the charge, but fled to the Elephants, as to a castle that was friend. Hitherto Arrian. In these two examples is lively set forth the nature and fashion of the Amphstomus phalange. And albeit both the parties that used it were beaten, yet the cause rested not in the form, but in the valour of them that fought against it, if the Romans in one example, of Alexander in the other; Alexander himself using this very form in the battle of a Arian lib. 3. 60 C Gaugamela, obtained the famous victory against Darius, which is described by Arrian in his third book, as did b App. in punicis Pag. 9 also Scipio against Asdrubal in Spain: so then by that which hath been said, the difference between the Antistomus and Amphistomus phalange may easily appear; which albeit they either of them fight against the enemy in two places of the Phalange at once, and are like over to another in that respect, yet they differ in the places of the fight, the one receiving the charge in both the flanks, other in front and rear. They are both defensive & statary, and if move with you either of them during the charge of the enemy, you presently break the form, and lay the back of the soldiers open to be annoyed, especially if the enemy overtop you in number: otherwise it will be no inconuenienceto divide the battle, and to fight apart with both; For that the Antistomus may be divided, Aelian teacheth in the next Chapter: for the Amphistomus, he saith the like in this Chapter in these words. 3 And also being divided into a Diphalange.] A Diphilange is when a Phalange is divided into two; and being in one body, it is called a Phalange, in two bodies a Diphilange. About the Diphilange Amphistomus there is variance amongst the writers of this Art. Aelian would have it to be framed of a Phalange Amphistomus disjoined, and in the midst divided into two parts: so that the forefront is made with one of the hinder front with the other Phalange. The Treatise of Military Appellations, annexed to the end of Suidas saith, that that is a Diphilange Amphistomus, which hath the fileleaders on the outsides of both the flanks in a deduction, and the bringers up within. I take Aelian to be in the right; for if the Amphistomus Phalange must have the front and rear opposed to the enemy, what reason is there why the Amphistomus Diphalangy should not be of the same nature, considering Cap. 40. A Diphalange Antistomus The Horsmans' Wedge Front that the Diphalangy Antistomus hath the leaders, in the flanks, as the Phalange Antistomus hath: which appeareth not only in the next Chapter, but also in diverse other places of this Book: neither do I read any where, that the Antistomus hath to do with the front and rear, nor the Amphistomus with the flanks. The words of direction in the Amphistomus. The hinder 1 Half files, face about to the right or left hand. 2 Charge the Pikes both ways in front and rear. To restore to the first Posture. The hindermost 1 Advance your Pikes. 2 Half files, face as you were. Of the Diphalange Antistomus. CHAP. XXXX. A Diphalange Antistomus, is that which hath the fileleaders placed not in a deduction outwardly, but inwardly face to face one against another, and the reare-Commanders without, one half in right, the other half in a left deduction. This form is used against Horse, which give on and charge wedge-wise: for the wedge shooting forth in a point, and having the Commanders following in the flanks, and endeavouring to dissever and break the Front of the foot, the Leaders of the foot foreseeing their purpose, place themselves in the midst, with intent either to repulse them, or else to give them a thorough passage without loss. For the wedge flieth upon the foot in hope to charge the multitude in the midst; and the foot Commanders conceiving well the fury of that form, leave a little space betwixt the 2 fronts, and stand like walls on both sides, and jointly facing toward the midst, give them a fruitless and empty passage. This form of Horse battle is called by the Tactics a wedge, which was invented by Philip King of Macedony, who placed his best men before, that by them the weaker sort might be held in & enabled to the charge. As we see in a Spear or sword, the point whereof quickly piercing, makes way for, and letteth in the middle blunt iron. NOTES. A Diphalange Antistomus.] This Diphalange is thus defined by Suidas; Suidus, in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Diphalange Antistomus is that, which hath the fileleaders placed in the midst, and the bringers up ordered without on both flanks in deductions: which words differ a little in speech, in sense are all one with Aelians. They both agree that the fileleaders should be placed within the midst of the battle face to face in deductions, the bringers up on the flanks without. In the text, and in fashioning of the battle, there is no difficulty. The fileleaders must be placed in the midst within, the bringers up on the flanks without; and the battle being first closed, must be suddenly opened upon the charge of the Horse in the midst, and the fileleaders dividing themselves half on one side, half on the other, and facing to the middle space with their whole files push at the Horse with their Pikes, as they pass thorough. It is called a Diphalange, because the phalange is parted in two; as the battle opposed against the Caelembolos is named a Triphalange, because it consisteth of three parts several, and in the ninth Chapter the whole Macedonian phalange is named a Tetraphalangarchy, because the body is divided into four several parts: and it is named a Diphalange Antistomus, because as the Phalange Antistomus receiveth the Horse without in the flanks, and so repulseth them so this altering that form, only by placing the fileleaders in depth within, and opening upon the sudden receive the Horse in the opened void space, either to be overthrown by their Pikes, or else to give them a passage without danger to themselves. This is one of the defensive battles whereof I spoke before. It is put in practice saith Aelian When the Horse charge Wedge-wise.] What a Wedge is, and of what force amongst the Horse-battailes, I have noted upon the 18 Chapter. Against it Aelian opposeth this form of foot. But is there no other use of it? Yes. For both the Caelembolos and Peristomus are as it were daughters, and proceed out of the loins of this form, both having their fileleaders in deductions within the body, and both opening, the first the front, the other the whole body, when they go to charge; and yet the Diphalange Antistomus is defensive, the other two offensive forms. I will accordingly as I have begun, illustrate the manner of the Dephalange Antistomus with an example or two. a Xenophon de expied. lib. 1. 270. D Xenophon describing the fight that was between Artaxerxes the king of Persia and Cyrus the younger, telleth of Tissaphernes (one of the four Generals of Artaxerxes his army, that he fled not in the first joining of the armies, but broke thorough the Grecian Peltasts (targetires) that stood embattled by the river. Breaking through, he slew no man: for the Grecians opening their battle, struck and threw darts at his horsemen, as they passed through. Episthenes the Amphipolita, nwho held the estimation of an understanding soldier, was then commander of the Peltasts. Tissaphernes therefore withdrawing himself as one that had the worst, returned no more to fight, but going to the Grecian Camp, met the King there. So Xenophon. Out of which passage we may perceive the use of this manner of embattailing. Tissaphernes chose of out the Grecians to charge the Peltasts the weakest kind of soldiers to make resistance against the horse, by reason they were furnished with small targets only and darts. Then he chargeth with his horse in a full Carrere: to avoid the fury of the horse, they opened and gave him a free passage, but not without strokes, and darts sent at his horse; and so made his charge more hurtful to himself then unto them: I cannot say the fileleaders were here in the midst, as Aelian requireth, because the charge was sudden and unexpected. In premeditated defences, there is no doubt, but it is the better way to place the fileleaders in the midst, considering they are accounted the strength of the battle, and in all conveniences are first brought to fight, especially being armed men, and able to offend the horse with their Pikes; This opening then availed against the giving on of horse ordered in a narrow front: for that was the manner of ordering the Persian horse; and it may serve for any horsebattaile if it be wide enough to receive the horse within the front. Of ancient time sythed Chariots were in request, to which the foot whether light or armed could make small resistance; they had two long staffs appointed with sharp iron fastened to the beam of the chariot bearing out before, and scythes standing out on all sides to cut asunder whatsoever came in the way: the horse were armed and hardly to be wounded, as you may see in the figure of the 22 Chapter. The reamedy then against them was to open the battle in front and rear, to the end to let them pass through, which opening was after the manner set down in this Chapter. a Died sic. lib. 17. 592. Arrian. lib. 3. 6●. D Curt. l 4. 141. 149. Alexander at Gaugamela being to fight with Darius, who had many of this kind of chariots, and fearing the danger they might bring to his army, commanded his Phalange of foot, that when the Chariots approached they should knit themselves shoulder to shoulder, and beat their pikes upon their targets, that the horse being affrighted with the noise, might turn, and run the contrary way. But if by such means they would not be repressed, than he willed them to open and make wide distances, thorough which they might hold on their course without danger to his people. This was the provision of Alexander against the Chariots: The event follows. After the trumpets had given the sign of battle, the armies charged one another casting forth great cries: And first the sythed Chariots flying out amain, gave much amazement and terror to the Macedonians. For Mazaeus one of the Generals of Darius his horse, to the end to make the falling on of the horse more terrible, came thundering with his troops of horse in the rear of the chariots: But when the Phalange joined target to target, and every man beat his target according to the King's direction, there arose a great noise; by reason whereof many of the chariots, the horses being affrighted, turned back, and with unresistable violence rushed upon their own people: other falling upon the Macedonians, who made large distances, those which entered were partly overwhelmed with darts, partly passed queit through; some being carried with the violence of their course, and working mightily with their sharp scythes, brought with them many and sundry kinds of death: for the force of their scythes had such power to destroy, that from many it cut off the arms, and targets and all, the necks of not a few were carved, heads falling to the ground the eyes yet seeing, the countenance not altered; of some the it tore out the sides, and put them to a speedy death. Hitherto of the history of Diodorus. But where he noteththe harms, that came from the sythed chariots, I take it they might have been avoided, if the distances had been wide enough, because I find in Xenophon in the battle betwixt Artaxerxes and Cyrus mentioned by me before, that many of the chariots of the Persians ran through the Phalange of the Grecians without hurt to any man. To return then to the use of this form, it hath heretofore, and may at this day be put in practice against horse; and not only against horse ordered in a wedge, but also giving on in a square, if it be so they charge by troops, and the opening be wide enough, and sudden to receive the front of the horse, For against a gross of horse, they cannot have time to open wide enough; and if they open too timely, they leave liberty to the horse to charge either of the parts opened, as themselves shall please; and by dividing themselves, they diminish their own strength. Words of direction for the Diphalange Antistomus. 1 Wheel the wings into the midst of the battle This is done if the middlemost 2 fileleaders stand firm, & the rest with their files wheel till they meet, and then stand: them face to the front; and when the Horse charge, open the midst suddenly, and facing one against another, charge your Pikes against the Horse. 2 Face to the Front. 3 Open your battle. 4 Face to the midst. 5 Charge your Pikes. Restoring to the first Posture. 1 Advance your Pikes. 2 Close your battle. 3 Face to the right and left hand. 4 Wheel the midst of the battle to the wings. 5 Face as you were at first and stand. Of the Peristomus Diphalange. CHAP. XXXXI. THE Phalange of the Diphalange Peristomus proceed by deduction in a wing, the oblique deduction on the right hand, having the fileleaders without: the left hand oblique deduction, having the reare-comamnders within. The figure showeth the intent of them that fight so ordered: For the battle going to charge, having been at first Tetragonall, divideth itself into two oblique wings, the right and the left, of purpose to enclose the adverse square battle; and they fearing to be enclosed, transform themselves into two marching Phalanges, directing one against the right, the other against the left wing: therefore is it called Peristomus, as having the front bend against the enemy both ways. NOTES. (1) ABout the inscription of this Chapter also there is a controversy amongst the Interpreters; some would have it of the Peristomus diphalange, some of the Amphistomus Diphalange, and of the Peristomus. Why any man should imagine that the Amphistomus Diphalange is here described, I Cap. 41 The square deured in two and set against the Peristomus two wings The Diphalange Peristomus The uneven front of the Peristomus The right wing of the Peristomus The left wing of the Peristomus conceive not, unless he should seem to make Aelian contrary to himself. For the Amphistomus Diphalange hath nothing to do with the flanks, as appeareth by Aelian in the 34 Chapter. This Diphalange fighteth altogether in flank, as the description declareth. The Phalanges of the Diphalange Peristomus.] What a wing is, and what deduction I have showed before. The meaning is, that the Phalanges Peristomus are both of them led obliquely (with the fileleaders in flank) and in two deep bodies; whereof the one hath in purpose to charge the right flank, the other the left flank of the adverse square battle. 2 The oblique deduction on the right hand.] Albeit both these Phalanges are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 called oblique, yet we may not imagine, that these Loxe-phalanges are the same that is described in the 30 Chapter. For in that one of the Phalange forbear the fight, the other advanceth to join with the enemy; in this both fight at once, and have their advantage by charging the flanks of the enemy. That began the fight in front & had there the fileleaders, this in both flanks; this seeks to encompass, that to avoid encompassing itself, as I have showed in my notes upon the same Chapter. 3 The oblique deduction on the right-hand, having the fileleaders without.] I must imagine, till further information, that here is a fault in the text: my reason is this; all deductions are made to oppose the fileleaders against the enemy in fight. So is the right-hand deduction used, when it is suspected the enemy will charge the right-hand flank: the lefthand Deduction, when it is suspected he will charge the left; so in wheelings we turn the front against the enemy, so in countermarches. Now this form being invented to encompass the enemy, and to fight upon his flanks, I would think the fileleaders ought to be placed on the inward flanks of the Diphalange; as it is in the Caelembolos; for were the bringers up to be within, they should sustain all the weight of the fight, the battle being once divided, and the fileleaders standing without should idly look on, which is contrary to the military discipline of the Grecians, whose care was to use the fileleaders in fight as much as was possible. Neither is it thereupon to be concluded, that this Diphalange and the Diphalange Antistomus are all one. For although both have their fileleaders within, yet do they differ both in form and end. In form, because this moveth forward with both Phalanges, the other standeth still: this is oblique, the other in a straight line; that hath the front of the two phalanges even, this (as it falleth out in the motion) sometimes the one more forword, sometimes the other. In their ends, because this goeth to assault and to break the enemy's battle, the other standeth fast and seeks only to save itself; the one being offensive, the other defensive. So that, as I said before, the Caelembolos and this are both framed out of the Diphalange Antistomus, both having their fileleaders within the midst of the battle; and yet differ in that the Caelembolos is but one body hollowed within; this divided into two bodies. And they fearing to be enclosed.] The case of this square is almost all one with the square against which the Caelembolos is opposed: For both are in danger to be enclosed. Now as the other square was fain to cast itself into a Triphalange, and to oppose two of the phalanges against the two wings of the Caelembolos, reserving the third for all accidents; so this square divideth itself into two phalanges (but hath no third) setting the one against the right-hand battle of the Peristomus, the other against the left; for by this opposition they inhibit the enemy from attaching their flanks. Of this form I find not many precedents in the Greek history; I will receit only Arr. l. 5. 111. C. Diod. Sic. l. 609. one out of Arrian concerning Alexander, which if it hit not this form in every point, yet it hath fully the effect of that which is intended by Aelian: Alexander being to deliver battle to Porus a King of part of India, lying on the other side of the river Hydaspes, found his enemy's army to be thus embattled; He had placed his Elephants in the front 100 foot distant one from another; and he placed them there to give terror to Alexander's Horse, for he imagined that no enemy durst approach the spaces betwixt the Elephants, neither with Horse for fear of the Elephants, and much less with foot, because the armed on his side were there to receive them, and the Elephants would tread and trample them under their feet. Next he ordered the foot, not in an equal front with the beasts, but in a second front after them, so that the files came up almost to the spaces betwixt the Elephants; beside, he added foot upon the wings above the Elephans. On both the wings of the foot he ordered his Horse, and before them his Chariots. This was the embattailing of Porus. Alexander as soon as he saw the Indians stand in battle array, caused his Horse to make alte, that he might have his foot come up, who advanced still forward. And when the Phalange was come unto him running, he embattled it not presently, nor forthwith led it against the enemy, l●st he should deliver it weary and out of breath into the hands of the Barbarians, that were fresh; but circling and riding here and there in rounds with his Horse, he rested his foot, and gave them time to refresh themselves. And after he beheld the Indian manner of Embattailing, he thought it not good to give upon the midst (of the front) where the Elephants stood, and the Phalange was close ordered against the spaces of the Elephants, fearing the reasons that led Porus to embattle in that form. But, as he was stronger in horse, taking to him the most of his Horse, he sped to the left wing of the enemy, in purpose to give on there, and sent Coenus with Demetrius his troop and his own troop against the right wing; commanding him, that when the Barbarians seeing his troops, should turn their strength of Horse against him, Coenus should invade their backs. He gave the Phalange to Seleucus, Antigones and Tauron to lead; commanding them not to fall on, before they saw the enemy's foot and horse put into a bransle by his Horse. What the event of the fight was, I have before showed in my notes upon the Phalange Amphistomus, where I have cited the latter end of this history. Now may be seen by this example, that Alexander began the fight not in the front, but in the flanks; and the cause why he did it, was, because the front was exceeding strong by reason of the Elephants. And by this means defeating first the enemy's Horse, than his foot, he left the Elephants naked, and without defence against the darts and other missive weapons of the Macedonians, and gained a worthy victory against a strong enemy. Now albeit this example come not home in all points to the Peristomus (for Aelian limiteth it to foot against foot, this fight was betwixt Horse and Horse) yet is the reason of war alike in both. For as the fileleaders of the Peristomus give on upon the flank of the adverse square, which is the weakest part of it; so did the Horse of Alexander surmounting the Indians both in number and valour, give on upon the flanks of Porus his army which was weakest, and so began and ended the victory. It is called Peristomus, as having the front bend.] That is, being divided into half, the one Phalange marching obliquely, cometh up and chargeth one Cap. 42. The Battle called Plinthium The front The Diphalange Homoiostomus flank of the adverse battle, the other chargeth the other, and so hath the fronts against the enemies both ways. Words of direction in the Peristomus. 1 Wheel your front into the midst of the battle. 2 Face to the front. 3 One wing march out obliquely, and charge the right flank of the enemy, the other the left flank. Of the Diphalange homoiostomus, and of the Plinthium. CHAP. XLII. A Diphalange (1) Homoiostomus is so named, because a (2) whole file (that is 16 men) moving by itself; another file followeth it! and it is therefore called Homoiostomus, because they that follow, follow in a like figure. 3 This kind is opposed against the Plinthium; (4) Plinthium is a form of battle, that hath the sides equal both in figure and number. In figure, because the distances are every where equal. In number, because there are as many men in length as in depth. (5) In this fouresided battle are none in the four sides but armed, without archer or slinger to help: when therefore two Phalanges march together, and both have their leaders in a right-hand or lefthanded deduction▪ it is called a Diphalange Homoiostomus. NOTES. 1 HOmoiostomus is a Diphalange, the battles whereof have like fronts. To this form is incident, first that it be marching, then that it march in deductions; lastly, that the deductions be upon one and the self, and not upon contrary sides, viz. that the fileleaders of the Phalanges, be all of them either upon the right hand, or upon the left hand of their Phalanges. And therefore Suidas defineth it to be a Diphalange, which hath the leaders of either Phalange ordered in the same side of the march. Where he saith that the leaders are ordered on the same side in both Phalanges (which words are likewise in Aelian in the end of the Chapter) we must understand no● the leaders of the March, but the fileleaders, who are also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or leaders: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. For as Aelian saith elsewhere, the march in a Deduction proceedeth in wing not by file but by rank, so that the fileleaders are in the flanks not in the front of the march; and yet a man may truly term it the front of the battle, as long as it standeth and faceth against the enemy. 2 Because a whole file.] I am out of doubt that this place is corrupted: any man that marketh the coherence will easily be of mine opinion. The inscription is of a Diphalange, which consisteth of two phalanges. The cause why this form is called a Diphalange, Homoiostomus, is in these words assigned to be, because a whole file, that is, 16 men moving, another file followeth it: let one file follow another, what is that to two Phalanges? Every Phalange hath many files in it, as the a Aelian c. 7. seventh Chapter will teach us; nor will any man say that a file is a phalange, nor that the following of one file singly after the other will make a Diphalange: the truer cause is alleged in the words following: It is therefore called Homoiostomus, because they that follow, follow in the like figure: which words albeit they be general, yet being explained and particularised in the end of the Chapter, they show, that it is called a Diphalange Homoiostomus when two phalanges follow one another, either in a right, or a left hand deduction. And by that part of the text the nature of the Homoiostomus is sufficiently expressed. 3 This is opposed against the b A square battle of men and ground both. Plinthium.] How this form should be opposed against the Plinthium, I must confess I yet understand not, unless it be that being in a march, the Plinthium charge one of them on that side where the deduction, (that is in the front, for the flank is now become the front) (the file-leader facing to the enemy way) and that the other if it be the leading phalange retiring & whealing, the following file advancing and whealing) give upon the flank of the Plinthium, so that the Plinthium be charged both in front and in flank, which is no small advantage in fight; for otherwise if the Plinthium meet the Phalanges so following one another, and charge the front which leadeth (which indeed is not the front but the leading flank, in as much as the march proceedeth not by file but by rank, as Aelian hath) the deducton not only loseth the benefit of bringing the file leaders to fight, but is also subject to overwinging, and by that means in worse case than is the induction which hath the fileleaders in front. There are other uses of the Homoistomus, they are here specified by Aelian. For the the Deduction directing the front against the enemy that appeareth, or is like to appear on the flank of the deduction, the phalanges may fitly second one another, when either of them is charged; not unlike the two btatailons of La. Noües second Paradox. foot, which la Noüe holdeth sufficient to repulse the charge of horse in open field or Champeign. And if both the deductions be charged at once, they are at no greater inconvenience, then if they stood ranged in ordinary manner, being either of them 16 deep, and the fronts which are in the deduction ready to receive the affort of the enemy, and the rest of the ●immes disposed, as in the ordinary Phalange. 4 Plinthium is a form of battle.] This definition comprehendeth not all Plinthiums, for there is a kind of even-sided Plinthium (it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which hath the front & flanks of one length: and it is it which Aelian here defineth. There is also a kind of I linthium that is deeper in flank then the front is long, which of ancient time was called a Eustathius in Ho●●ri versu●…: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in greek, in enlishg a tower, the name of Plinthium is derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a brick, because as the brick is square, so is this battle, which is the reason I think, that it is often confounded Plesium, this being also a square battle, and the name deduced from the mould wherein bricks are fashioned, which mould is called in greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to form. The difference betwixt them according to Aelian is, that the Pliniheum is a perfect square equal both in length and depth, the Plesium a square longer in front then flank. 5 In this figure are none but armed in the foreside.] what then becomes of the lightarmed? they must be conveyed into the midst; and the Plinthium ought to be hollow within as well to receive them, as those of the army that are unfit for fight. Leo hath this precept: If the enemy be horse, you are to order the army into the square figure of a Plinthium, and cast into the (hollow) midst the carriage, beasts and carriage, and without them the armed, and furthest without the archers, that so you may dismarch in safety; yet this placing the archers without is contrary to Aelian, & to many experiences mentioned in the Greek history. a Polyen. 99 § 25● Timotheus the Athenian purposing to pass by the City Olynthus; and fearing the Olinthian horsemen, ordered his army into a broad-fronted Plinthium, casting the baggage and horse into the midst, and causing the wagons to be driven thronging and fastened together, the armed foot being without on all sides; so that the Olynthian horse could not come to distress them. Brsidas the Lacedaemonian being in Illyrium Polyen. 210. § 7. in Brasid●. forsaken of the Macedonians his allies, expecting to be set upon by Arrhybeus and the Illyrians, reduced his armed into a square, and taking the lightarmed into the midst, resolved to retire: the youngest he appointed to fall out if the enemy charged on any side; Himself with 300 chosen men took upon him to secure the rear, and to resist the enemy that should first come to charge. The Barbarians seeing him dismarch, followed with great shouts and cries, imagining he fled, and hoping to take him and cut his throat: but when the lightarmed fell out and met them, wheresoever they gave on and himself with his selected band received them, and contrary to their opinion stood firm, and repulsed the first charge, and ever as they forbore to charge held on his way: the most part of the Barbarians left the Grecians, and appointing a party to follow their rear, the rest pursued the Macedonians that fled, an killed as many as they lighted upon. The like form was used in Elephants by the captains of Eumenes and Peucestes against a surprise of Antigonus. Diodorus Siculus reporteth the history thus. b Diod. Sic. 〈◊〉 692. Antigonus being advertised, that all Eumenes his forces were come unto him but only his Elephants, and that the Elephants were expected out of their garrisons and were far off alone, and without aid of horse and foot, sent against them 2000 sp●are-men, being Medes, 300 Tarentines, and all his lightarmed foot; for he hoped that falling upon the Elephants alone, he might easily become master of them, and deprive his enemy of his greatest strength. Eumenes casting in his mind what might happen, dispatched away 1500 of his best horse, and 300 light armed foot. Antigonus' people appearing first; the commanders of the Elephants ordering the beasts into a Plinthium, marched forward, throwing the carriage into the midst, having 300 horse and no more to make head in the rear; the enemy falling on with all their might, and hotly charging, the horse being overlaid with number, were put to flight. The riders of Elephants at first made good resistance and stood to it, albeit they were wounded on all sides, and not able to hurt the enemy; and being now at the last cast, the forces of Eumenes unexpectedly showing themselves, snatched them out of all danger and distress▪ b Polyen. 99 § 2●. Agesilius used this form against the Thebans; the c Dioa. Sic. 694. lib. 19 Argiraspides against Antigonus: the history is this; Antigonus having the better against the horse of Eumenes, divided his horse into two parts, the one he took to himself and observed Eumenes, the other he gave to Python willing him to charge the the Argiraspides and silver targateers old soldiers of Alexander's deprived of the aid of the horse, but they casting themselves into a Plinthium retired safely to the river. Aelian remembreth nothing concerning the use of the Plinthium: But we may learn by the examples rehearsed▪ that it was then practised when the enemy was too strong and able to charge every way; and it is one of the foresided battles that is mentioned in the 36 & 37 Chap. and used principally against horse, but sometimes against horse and foot. Philip the father of Alexander the Great, being to take arms against the Illyrians who usurped Died. Sy●ll. lib. 16. pag. ●1. many Cities of his kingdom, levied 10000 foot, & 600 horse, and with them entered the enemy's country. Bardilis the Illirian King met him with as many foot, and 500 horse: when the armies came together, and with shouts joined battle, Philip hearing the right wing, and the best Macedonian soldiers, commanded the horse to fall on and charge the enemy in flank: himself giving upon the front, began a strong fight. The Illyrians ordering themselves into a Plinthium, valiantly abode the onset; and at the first the fight was equal, and so continued a good while by reason of the valour shown on both sides; afterward the horse plying hard the rear and flank, and Philip with his choice valiantly laying at the front, the multitude of the Illyrians were forced to fly. here the Plinthium resisted both horse and foot; I will add one example more of repulsing horse, the army being cast into a Plinthium. Marcus Antonius seeking to subdue Persia, and to revenge the loss which Croesus received Appian Parthicis 162. Plat. in Antony. by the Parthians, (for in that war Croesus himself was slain, and his army defeated) and having laid siege to a great City called Phreata, and finding not the success he looked for, determined to dis-march and lead his arm, out of the Country; having first ●ad●truce with the King of Persia, proceeding on his journey, he was set upon by the Parthians, but being repulsed, they retired that day. Antonius hereby resolved what to do: and strengthening his rear and flanks with many darters & slingers, he form h●s army into a Plinthium, and willed his horse ●o fall out and repulse the e●nmy, but not to follow the chase too far. The Parthians the next four days began to be more cool, and neither charged nor were charged, and making winter their pretence, were glad to retire ●o their houses. By this precedent, we may see, that the Parthians (who were mighty in horse) were fierce upon the Romans as long a they held their ordinary kind of march, but after they had ordered themselves into a Plinthium, so that the Parthians could not come up to them without much endangering themselves, they thought it best to let them quietly pass and go whither they would. And thus much of the Diphalange Homoiostomus and of the Plinthium. Words of direction in the Homoiostomus. 1 Wheel your battles (if they stand in even front) to the right or left hand. 2 March one battle after the other. To restore to the first Posture. 1 F●●e about to the right or left hand. 2 Wheel the battles to the right or left hand, according as the case requireth. 3 Face as you were at first. Cap. 43. The Diphalange Heterostomus The Fileleaders The bringers-up For the Plinthium. If there be 4 battles standing togethler in an even Front, this I would hold the fittest way to make a Plinthium. 1 Let the first battle stand firm, or march on; in going forward wheel to the right hand; in falling back use the Lacedaemonian countermarch. 2 The 3 countermarch the front with a countermarch, than wheel to the left hand, then march forward, and place itself behind the right hand flank of the first, that the Front of it may be in a right line with the said flank. 3 The 4 in going forward, countermarch the rear with a Macedon countermarch, than wheel your battle to the right hand, face abount; then wheel to the left hand; then march and apply itself to the point of the strst battle, as the third did to the right: then face about, and stand thus: 4 The 2 countermarch to the right or left hand: then march on till it be beyond the left point of the 4 battle: then face to the left hand; and march up to lay the right-hand-point even with the right point of the 1 battle, and face to the right hand, to make the rear of the Plinthium thus: The several bodies being brought into a Plinthium, must front every way as long as they make Alte. When they march in a Plinthium, they are all to face toward the head of their march: that is, the right and left flank battles are to face the one to the left, the other to the right hand: The rear battle is to face about to which hand it list, and so march on. The battles beside have every one their place of dignity: the first battle having the front, the 2 battle the rear, the 3 battle the right flank, the 4 the left flank. Of the Diphalange Heterostomus. CHAP. XLIII. (1) A Diphalange Heterostomus is that which proceedeth by deduction, having the leaders of the former Phalange in a right-handdeduction, and of the following Phalange in a lefthand Deduction, so that the battles march counterchangeably, one having the leaders in one flank, the other in the other. NOTES. 1 A Diphalange Heterostomus.] As the Homoiostomus consisted of two Phalanges, & both proceeded by deduction, so must this form. They differ in this only, that the first had all the fileleaders on one side, either on the right or left; this the fileleaders of one battle on the right, of the other on the left hand. For if the leading Phalange have the fileleaders on the right-hand, the following Phalange shall have them on the left: If the first have them on the left, the other shall have them on the right. See the figure. The use of this form is, when the enemy showeth himself on both flanks of our march, and of it the double sided battle, whereof Aelian spoke in the 36 and 37 Chapters, may be made by the sleeving up the latter to the former and joining rear to rear: and if the leading battle have the fileleaders in the right-flank, it is to make alte when the enemy cometh near, and the following battle to sleeve up by the rear of it, to make an even front with the leaders of the first. chose, if it have the fileleaders on the left hand▪ Besides, this arme hath further use, and you may frame of it a Diphalange Antistomus, by sleeving up the following battle on that side where the fileleaders of the leading battle march: for by such sleeving, the fileleaders of both I halanges shall be in the midst. Words of direction in the Heterostomus. There need few words of direction in this, only if the two ordinary battles stand in equal front, let the one wheel to the right, the other to the left hand, and so march the one before, the other after. Of the horse Rombe, and of the foot-halfe-moone to encounter it. CHAP. XLIIII. (1) THe battle framed in a form of a Rombe, was first invented by Ileon the Thessalian, and was called I'll after his name; and to this form he exercised and accustomed his Thessalians. It is of good use, because it hath a leader on every corner: in the front the Captain, in the rear the Livetennant, and on either side the flank-commanders. (2) The foot battle fittest to encounter this, is the (3) Menoides or Crescent; having both the wings stretched out, and within them the leaders, and being embowed in the midst to environ and wrap in the horsemen in their giving on: where upon the horsemen ply the foot a far off with flying weapons, after the manner of the Tarantines, seeking thereby to dissolve and disorder their circled frame of march. Tarentum is a City in Italy, the hosemen whereof are called Acrobolists, because in charging they first cast little Darters. darts, and after come to hands with the enemy. NOTES. 1 THe battle in form of a rhomb.] Of the rhomb is sufficiently spoken in Chap. 6. before; and in the notes upon the same Chapter: The manner of framing of it, and the diverse kinds thereof are there set down. The Thessalians Cap▪ 44 The half Moon or Menoides of foot The rhomb of Horse The Front used not all those kinds but only that which fileth, but ranks not, as Aelian testifieth in the 46 Chapter, which kind is there also described. It Aelian ● 46. was accounted a form of great violence, & in that form the Thessalians got all there reputation, being esteemed the the best horsemen of Greece. 2 The foot battle fittest to encounter this] The advantage that horsemen have against foot is great, which is the cause that footmen have sought to help themselves by diverse kind of embattailing to the end to supply by art, that which they want by force and strength. Of which manner of embattailing, many are set down in Aelian. If more than one troop charge at once, you have the Phalange Amphistomus, Antistomus, and the Plinthium to resist: If but one troop, the Diphalange Antistomus; All which kinds are before described by Aelian. In this Chapter is another kind described namely, the half moon. and there follow in other Chapters the plagiophalange, the Epicampios emprosthia, and the wedge: Of all which we are to discourse in order as they are remembered by our Authors. 3 Is the Menoeids or Cressant.] Against the rhomb of horse Aelian opposeth the Menoeides of foot, a name of battle borrowed from the shape of the moon. For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the moon, and the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (which is joined to make up the composition) signifieth a full shape or form. So the word importeth a shape or form of the moon: and yet this battle is not like all shapes of the moon, but like to the new moon when she hath two horns, and hath the shape of half a circle as it were: In which sense Isis the Egyptian goddess (which indeed was the moon, saith a Diod. Sie. l. g. p. ● Diodorus Siculus) was pictured with two horns from the show which she maketh being menoeides, that is, the new moon, so is a wall sometime called, because of the hollow form. As when the Rhodians having their wall shrewdly shaken by the engines of battery of Demetrius, reared an inward wall in shape of a Crescent, which with the compass, comprehended all the parts of the outward wall which were battered. The same b Diod. Sic. l. 20 p. 783. Ar●. 41. 22. C. Diodorus calleth it Menoeides: the like was done by the Halicarnasseans against Alexander the Great, and Arrian giveth it the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; a brick half moon; the cause of the invention of this form, is laid out by c Onosand. c. 21. p. 65. Onosander & d ● coc. 19 45. ● etc. 24. 184. Leo. Oftentimes saith Onosader, those that have great numbers of men in the field, are wont to figure them into a Crescent, supposing that in charging the enemy will be ready to join man to man, that is, to enter into the semicircle and fight with them that stand embowed; in doing whereof, they will be hemmed and wraped in, in the half Circle▪ the wings of the half Circle being to be drawn together round about them, and the whole brought into the form of a Circle. And Leo likewise: The figure bearing there semblance of half a Circle, seemeth to be safe & firm; for it encloseth the enemy that cometh against it in the hollowness of the Circle, by drawing out the wings into a Circle on both sides, and giveth more courage to fight against them. The causes then to take up this figure in fight are three; one the advantage of multitude of forces in the field, whereby the General is enabled to encompass; another, the ignorance of the enemy, that ventureth within the compass of the half moon; the third, the efficacy of the figure which serveth to entrap the enemy that is not heedful and wary in joining battle. It hath been used both against Horse and foot, and sometimes in Sea by one Navy against another, Aelian esteemeth it good against horse; no doubt when horse charge; and are resisted both in front, and plied also with flying weapons in flank, they find a greater ●n opposition and disadvantage, then when they are received in front alone. In square battles of foot the front lying even, the horse in charging abide only the danger before, whereas in the hollow fronted battles of foot, such as are this form, and the Epicampios emprosthia, they are endangered also in flank, yea in both flanks, & cannot enter the hollowness of the front without loss of many of their horse, the depth of the hollowness being as strong (in having the fileleaders in front, and the depth of the file the same) as a square battle to resist, and the wings plying and infesting them with all sorts of flying weapons: against foot it hath been used oftentimes, and it is the only form that the Turks by reason of his multitudes, useth both with horse and foot against Christians at this day. The Crescent may be framed not only before fight is begun, but also in the heat of fight: Before the fight, you have an example of the Lacedæmonians against Epaminondas, which I have cited at large in my notes upon the 30 Chap. c Leo c. 19 §. 41. Leo also setteh down the manner of casting a Navy into a Crescent before fight. During the fight, Aratus the elder framed a Crescent against the Lacedæmonians: Pausanias reciteth it in this manner; In the battle of d Pausanias in Arcadiais 471. the Lacedæmonians against the Mantineans, The Mantineans, saith he, had the right wing, all the rest of the Arcadians the left. The midst was ussigned to Aratus, and to the Sicyonians, and Achaeans. Agis King of Lacedaemon, and the Lacedæmonians strethed out their battle to invade the front of the enemy. Agis and his troops stood in the midst. Aratus after he had imparted his purpose to the Arcadians: fled himself, and with him that part of the army which he commanded, as if he feared the impression of the Lacedæmonians; in giving back he brought the army into the form of an half moon. The Lacedæmonians and Agis thinking they had the victory in their hands, pursued Aratus and his troops more eagerly. The wing followed the King, esteeming it no small conquest to have soiled Aratus. In the mean time they perceived not the Arcadians that were at their back: and the Lacedæmonians being encompassed round about, lost both many other of their army, and Agis also their King, the son of Endamidas was slain. Leo also in sea fight giveth his General counsel how to entrap his enemy with a show of flight; in giving back with fashioning an half moon: These be his words in effect; e Leo c. 20. §. 201. If a General be to retire before the enemy's Navy, let him retire, fashioning his Navy into a battle Menoeides, anasailing with his poops forward, and so seem to shun the enemy: For if he fly not, but retire fight, he shall have his ships ready to turn upon the enemy with their prowess bend against him. And if need require, he may retire with his poops toward the enemy: for the enemy shall not dare to enter into the hollowness for fear of being encompassed. So Leo. The Menoeides therefore may be framed during fight; but this caution is to be remembered, that in sudden transmutations of battles, you use not the service of raw soldiers, but of such as have experience, lest all be brought into confusion; and the enemy charge you while you are changing your form. Now as forms of advantage are to be sought against the enemy; so is it needful to advise what best opposition is to be made against such battles: in case the enemy use them. The Rombe of horse was of old time accounted a forcible figure against foot; the horse therein had the better. The Menoeides was invented to resist and overthrow the horse: The foot had been the better; what was then best for the horse? to abstain from charging (saith Aelian) and to ply the foot with missive weapons, to the end to force them to break their strong form of embattailing. So now they stand upon equal terms and the foot can with their shot annoy the horse, as well as the horse can annoy the foot. Aelian then showeth a means for the horse to avoid the danger of this manner of embattailing: for foot using this form against foot, he showeth no remedy. I will set down what I find: and here I need not to repeat the remedy, that b Diod. Syc. ●. 15. 486. Epaminondas used against the Lacedaemonian halfmoon: it is related at large in my Notes upon the 30 Chap. c Onosand. cap. 66. Leo. cap. 20. §. 184. Onosander giveth this advice: Divide your battle, saith he, into 3 parts: with the two outwardest charge the Enemy's wings: the third, that is ordered against the middle, and as it were, the bosom of the Crescent, advance it not, but let it stand firm; for either they that are placed in the midst of the Crescent, shall standidle; or else advancing in an even front, will throng one another and break their battle. For the two fronts fight in the wings and keeping their place, it is not possible for the half circle to come forward with an even front: when they are therefore confused and have broken their array, let the third battle that remained in the midst for seconds, charge them, as they disorderl, advance. If they still keep their place in the bottom of the hollowness, oppose the lightarmed and darters against them, who will exceedingly distress them with their missive weapons: likewise you may do well to frame a Loxephalange of your whole Army, and with your two Loxes, charge the wings, preventing so the circling and encompasing of the Menoeides. For the Enemy, being a long while hindered from coming to blows with his whole Army, shall be kept in play with a few, none fight but those only that are in the wings, which first of necessity must join, because of the oblique onset. It will not be a miss also, leisurely to retire with the Army sometimes, as though you were in fear; or else facing about to make your retreat orderly, as if you fled; and afterward turning sudd only to meet the Enemy that presseth upon you. For sometimes the Enemy being over-ioyed in the imagination of a true flight, doth follow unadvisedly, and make a disorderly pursuit; every man pressing to be foremost, upon whom you may return without danger, and again, chase them that follow you; who will be struckes with a fear in that you dare, contrary to their expectation, turn again & make head against them. Onosander giveth here three ways to resist the Menoeides: one by dividing your battle into a Triphalange, & opposing two phalanges against the two wings of the Crescent, forbearing and standing firm with the third till opportunity be to move (which is the battle that Aelian opposeth against the Caelembolos.) The second by using the Loxephalange against it, as did Epaminondas at the battle of Leustra against the Lacedaemonian half moon, as I have showed elsewhere, namely Chap. 30. §. 7. The third in making semblance of flying; for the half moon is a form, which in standing may well be kept whole, in moving will soon be broken and fall into disorder, as a Cicuta de l. c disciplimilitar. l. 2. 220. Cicuta an Italian writer noteth very well. If then you fain to fly, keeping your men in order, the Menoeides following you will break of itself, and so you have good opportunity to return, and in all likelihood to win the day against it, especially being in disorder. Leo giveth the same Leo. cap. 20. §. 201. advice to his General, only he speaketh of Sea matters, Onosander of Land service. Words of direction for the rhomb. For the forming of the Rhombes, see the 19 Chapter, and my Notes upon that Chapter, §. 6. For the Cressnnt. First order your body into a long square, Plagiophalanx. 1 The 2 fileleaders in the midst of the square, stand. 2 The next 2 on either hand, move forward one foot before the other two, their files moving withal, and holding their distance. 3 So the 4 next fileleaders each before other, on either side a foot. 4 Then two more on either side, advance before the rest that moved two foot a piece. 5 Then the 2 next on either side, 3 foot apiece. To restore to the first Posture: Face about. Move all at once (excepting the 2 middle files) and take your first ground. Of the Horsebattaile Heteromekes, and the Plagiophalange to be opposed against it. CHAP. XLV. 1 THE horsebattaile Heteromekes is that, which hath the depth double to the length. It is profitable in many respects. (2) For seeming to be but a few in so small a breadth, it deceiveth the Enemy, and easily breaketh his forces with the thickness & strength of the embattailing, and may without perceiving be led through straight and narrow passages. The (3) foot battle to encounter is called the Plagiophalange, or broad fronted battle. For being but slender in depth, it beareth forth and extendeth itself in length, so that albeit it be broken in the midst with the charge of Horse, yet is nothing broken but a little of the depth, and the fury of the Horse is carried not upon the multitude of foot, but straight and immediately into the open air and field. And for that cause is the length thereof much exceeding the depth. NOTES. 1 OF the 2. battle's Heteromekes and Plagiophalanx I have spoken before in my notes upon the thirtieth Chapter. The Heteromekes is a kind of Hearse, the Plagiophalange the broad fronted battle therein mentioned. 2 For seeming to be but a few.] Amongst all the stratagems used in War, it hath been accounted always a master piece of skill to deceive the Enemy with show of forces, that are in any Army: sometime with semblance of more men, than we have, to fear him, sometime with concealing our number, to provoke him rashly to fight, and adventure himself in battle. Of these two kinds we have an example in Caesar at the siege of Cap. 45. Plagiophalanx, or the broad fronted battle of foot Heteromekes or the Hearse of Horse The front Gergovia. Caesar himself writeth thus: When Caesar came into his lesser Camp Cesarde ●ell. gall. ● 7. ●63. A. ●●. 1. (he had two Camp●● at that siege) to take view of his works, he perceived that the hill, which was holden by the Enemy, was become empty of men, which hill a few days past, could hardly ●● seen for the multitude, that covered it. Marvelling thereat, he asked of the run aw●●yes the cause (of whom great numbers came flocking to him every day:) It appeared by ●ll their reports, which Caesar also understood by his own Scouts, that the ridge of the hill was almost even, but yet woody and narrow, by which there was access to ●he other part of the town. That the Enemy mightily feared that place; and were now of opinion, that seeing the Romans had gained one hill, if they should lose the other, they should seem well nigh enclosed round about with a trench, and shut up from issuing out, and from forage; that all were called out of the City by a The french Genorall. Vercin●etorix to fortify the place. Caesar having gotten this intelligence, sent at midnight d●●ers troops of horse thither, and commanded them to rid up and down in all places with greater tumult, than their manner was. Assoon as it was day, he willed a great number of carriage-horse and Mules to be brought out of the Camp, and their pads ●o be taken off from them, and that the Muleteers putting on headpieces, should ride a●out the hills in show, as if they were horsemen. To these he added a few Horse, who were to spread themselves abroad hereand there, to amaze the Gauls the more. He willed them to address themselves, and to draw to one and the same place, fetching a large compass about. These things were seen a far of out of Gergovia (for from thence the Camp might well be discerned) and yet in such distance ●t could not be certainly perceived, what the matter was. He sent a legion along the ridge of the same hill, and placed it (drawing it a little further A peaple in Narbon. forward) in the neither grounds below, and hid it in the woods. The Gauls here at increase● their suspicion, and all the forces appointed for the fortifications of their Camp were led thither. Caesar espying the Camp of the Enemy to be void of men, conueied Soldiers straggling, as it were, and not in troops, from the greater Camp unto the lesser, hiding those things by which they might be known, and covering their ensigns of War, lest happily they might be descried out of the Town; and gave instructions to the Legates, whom he had set over every Legion, what he would have done. After these directions he gave the signal: the Soldiers after the signal given, with all speed fell up to the Munition, and entering, made themselves masters of three Camps of the Enemy. And the speed of their surprise was such, that Theutomatus King of the Nitiobrigians, being suddenly surprised in his Tent, as he rested about noon, the upper part of his body being naked, had much ado to save himself upon his horse (which was also wounded in escaping) from the hands of the rif●●●g Soldiers. This example of Caesar containeth the two kinds before remembered of deceiving the Enemy. For he both made a greater show of horse men than he had, by setting Muleteers on horseback, and giving the 〈…〉 ●ieces, and also dissembled the number of them, who were in the lesser 〈…〉 which ga●e upon the Enemy's works, by conveying Soldiers 〈…〉 of the 〈…〉 Camp piece meal, as it were, and one after another 〈…〉 icy yielded victory to Caesar against the Gauls before: as you 〈…〉 in the fifth book of his Commentaries. And in this very kind, that Aelian speaketh of, that is, in making his front narrow and his Cesar de ●el. gall l. 5. prg. 748. B battle deep, and so dissembling his forces, Cleandridas the Lacedaemonian won a noble battle against the Thurians, as I have noted in the nine and twentieth Chapter of this book. Examples of the manner of these flights are every where to be found in Histories. 3 The foot battle to encounter it.] divers kinds of battles are fitter (as I conceive) to be opposed against this horsebattaile, than the Plagiophalange. And, I take it, it is not therefore here set dow●e as the best form to encounter, and repulse the horse, but rather to show, that, if you be not otherwise able to avoid them, you may in this ●orme sustain the lesser loss. For so much imports the reason of Aelian viz. that, if you be broken in the midst by the horse, yet is nothing bro●en, but a little of the depth, and the fury of the horse is carried into the open field, & not upon the rest of the foot. If your foot battle were flanked with a river, wood, trench, wall, or some such other strength, I would the● well hold with this reason. For than might the foot open (as in the Di●alange Antistomus) and suffer the horse to pass through, and to fall i●●o the river, or upon that strength, which you were flanked with all. B●t when the horse break through your foot, and pass into the open field, they have advantage to turn again upon your back, and freedom of a many charges, as they list to give upon you. The Plinthium, the half Moon, the Epicampios, or hollow-fronted battle described in the next following Chapter, and the wedge of foot, are to be preferred before the Plagiophalange. For all these kinds are invented to repulse horse, in what form soever they give on, and some of them, in case the horse be forward ●● charging, to overthrow and discomfit them. Of some of these we have spoken before, other some follow to be treated of. The Heteromekes horse battle, is not in our days much used, except it be in marching. The great Commanders of our time, rather in fight, order their horse into a Plagiophalange; which form they hold more fit for theuse of the weapons of our age. But the Plagiophalange of foot remembered by Aelian to encounter horse, aught to be very shallow in depth. For if it should be according to the old fashion, 16. in depth (which number the file of the Macedonians held) or according to our custom ●●. I see not how it is possible for a troop of horse to break it, or to pass through it into the open field, the depth of the battle being sufficient to sustain the ch 〈…〉 ge of any horse. How the Heteromekes, and how the Plagiophalange are framed, I have taught before in the thirtieth Chapter. Of another kind of rhomb for horsemen, and of the foot-battaile called Epicampios Emprosthia to encounter it. CHAP. XLVI. (1) ANother sort of Rhomboeides there is, whereof I need say no more, but that it fileth, and ranketh not. I have before showed the use thereof; and that Ileon the Thessalian was the inventor, and that ●asan Medea's husband put it in practice: the use thereof is great, it being directed and led in the four sides by the Captain, the Lieutenant, and the two flanke-commanders. It is commonly fashioned of Archers on horseback, as the Armenian, and Persian manner is. Against it is opposed the foot-battaile, called (2) Epicampios Emprosthia, Cap. 46. Epicampios Emprosthia The rhomb The front the hollow fronted battle because the circumduction of the front is like an embowing. The end of this form is to deceive and overreach the Archers on horseback, e●ther by wrapping them in the void space of the front, as they charge, and give on upon the spune, or else disordering them first with the wings, and breaking their fury, by overthrowing them finally with their ranks about the middle Ensigns. This kind of battle was devised to entrap and beguile. For opening the middle hollowness, it maketh show but of a few, that march in the wings, having notwithstanding thrice as many following and seconding in the rear. So that, if the wings be of power sufficient for the encounter, there needeth no more: if not, retiring easily on either side, they are to join themselves to the bulk of the battle. NOTES. (1) ANother sort of Rhomboeides there is.] The inscription of this Chapter seemeth not to be right; because the form of the Rhomboeides here mentioned, differeth not, but is the same, that was last spoken of. In the a Cap 4●. former he said it was invented by Ileon the Thessalian, and in use amongst the Thessalians, and called I'll of his name. In this he saith as much, adding only that jason, Medea's husband, who was also a Thessalian, put it most in practice. So that the Rhombes seem to be all one, and the inscription of the Chapter either corrupted or mistaken; and that it ought to be of the rhomb and the hollow-fronted battle to encounter it. I need say no more of this rhomb, the form of it, the manner of framing, and the difference of it from other Rhombes are sufficiently declared in other places before. Cap. 19 1 Advance your right and left wings, and let the midst of the battle stand firm. Under the name of the wings, I understand so many files as shall be thought enough to march out to make the hollow front: the bringers up of wings must rank with the fileleaders of the midst. 2 Face and charge into the hollowness of the front. To restore to the first Posture. 1 Wings, face about to the right or left hand. 2 March and join with the body in an even front. 3 Face as you were first. There is added by some translators of Aelian an Epicampios opisthia to the Epicampios emprosthia. This battle they would have to be signified in their words. This kind of battle was devised to entrap and beguile. But he that shall weigh the words following, shall see that Aelians meaning is to describe the Emprosthia more fully, even in the self same place. For he speaketh of the few that march in the wings, and of thrice as many that follow in the rear. Besides, he saith, that if the wings be not sufficient to repulse the enemy, they may retire and join to the bulk of the body. The wings are therefore led on first, and the ma●se of the body followeth, whereas in the Epicampios opisthia the wings are stretched out behind, and follow the body. And albeit there be in Aelian no words of the Opisthia, yet I may not deny that there is an Epicampio● Opisthia: a Suidas in Epicampes. Suidas proveth it plainly; He defineth the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, thus: It is called Epicampios when the battle advanceth against the enemy▪ and hath the wings drawn out in length on both sides behind. The use of the Opisthia is as it seemeth, to avoid the encircling or encompassing of an enemy, that hath a greater quantity of soldiers than we, and means to charge our rear. Alexander the Great, being far inferior to Darius in multitude of men, used this form at Arbela. b Diod. Sic. l. 17. 592. Arr. c. 3. 60. c. 3. Diodorus Siculus saith, that after he had ordered his battle against Darius in a right front, he framed an Epicampios behind each wing, to the end that the enemy with his multitude might not encompass the small number of the Macedonians. And this may suffice for both the forms of the Epicampios. Words of direction for the Epicampios Opisthia. 1 Advance your body, and let the wings stand firm. 2 The wings of one flank face outward to the right, the other to the left hand. Torustore, etc. 1 Wings face as you were. 2 March up, and front with the midst of the body. Of the foot-battaile called Cyrte, which is to be set against the Epicampios. CHAP. XLVII. (1) THE Battle to be opposed against the Epicampios is called Cyrte of the circumferent form. This also maketh semblance of small forces, by reason of the convexity of the figure. For all round things seem little in compass, and yet stretched out in length, and singled, they prove twice as much as they appeared to be. As is evident in Pillars which are round, and therefore in sight show the one half, and conceal the other. The greatest piece of skill in embattailing, is to make show of few men to the enemy, and in deed to bring twice as many to fight. Cap. 47. The Cyrte or convex halss Moon The Epicampios The front NOTES. 1 THE form of this battle, albelt it be a half Moon, and is called by Polybius Menoeides, yet is it in a manner contrary to the Menoeides described in the 44 Chapter of this Book. That turned the concavity or hallownesse backward toward the rear, and the two horns against the enemy, and sought to encompass, this turneth the convexe or outward part foremost, not the horns, and endeavoureth to avoid encompassing: For the Epicampios, if a man should enter into the hollowness thereof, claspeth him in, and is able to charge him in front, and on both flanks at one time. But the convexe half Moon avoiding that danger, meeteth the enemy with the bearing out of the half circle, and giveth the two wings of the Epicampios enough to do, being not to be annoyed with the depth of the hollowness, which remaineth a pretty distance more backward than the points of the wings. So that this form is fit to be opposed against the Epicampios, and looseth no advantage of embattailing: and it avoideth the peril of the hollow front by not entering, and yet maintaineth the fight against the two wings that are thru● out to encompass; being of sufficient strength to encounter the Epicampios, either of them not dissolving their form, or notwithstanding that the wings of the Epicampios retire, as Aelian prescribeth, when they are overpressed, or else the body of the hollowness advance to make an equal front with the wings, and so unite their force. Howbeit I have not read in the Greek history examples of this form set against the Epicampios, or used otherwise in fight; only I find in Polybius at the battle of Can that Hannibal practised it against the Romans, not trusting to the strength of the form, but rather with the show thereof, covering a further drift, to beguile and bring them into his snare. His words are in effect these: Hannibal, saith he, embattled his army thus; He placed on the left hand the Spanish and Celtish horse right over against the Roman horse: next to them of foot half the Lybian heavy armed; then the Spaniards and Celts, next them the other half of the Lybians. On the right wing he ordered the Numidian horse: After he had framed an even front of the whole Army, he advanced the middle Spaniards and Gauls, and cast them into a convexe half Moon, gathering up the depth therewith and making it thin, meaning to hide the Lybians with it, and disposing the Lybians behind them as seconds. And a little after he declareth the manner of fight. Then the heavy-armed foot succeeding the light armed, encountered together. The Spaniards therefore and gaul's a while bravely maintained their order and fight against the Romans; but being over-pressed, they turned their backs, and retired, dissolving the form of their half Moon. The Roman Cohorts courageously following easily broke asunder the battle of the Celts, which at first was ordered in a small depth; themselves transferring the thickness of their battle from the wings of the midst, where the fight was; for the midst and the wings fought not at the same time. The midst began the fight first, because the Celts ranged in a half Moon, bore much more forward the the wings, having not the hollowness but the prominent swelling of the half-Moone lying out toward the enemy. So the Romans following & running together to the midst, where the enemy gave ground, entered so far into the enemy's battle, that they had the heavy-armed Lybians on either of their flanks; of whom those of the right wing facing to the Target, charged them on the right; those of the left wing, facing to the pike, gave upon their left side, occasion itself showing what was fit to be done: so that it chanced as Hannibal had foreseen, that after the defeat of the Celts, the Romans pursuing the victory, should fall out to be enclosed in the midst of the Lybians. So Polybius of the prominent half moon or Cyrte, which Annibal used; to which of purpose he gave to make thinness, because it should be broken & beaten, and the enemy drawn into the snares as it were, and ambush of the seconds, that is, of the Lybian heavy armed. If it had had the due proportion of depth, it might have stood a longer time against the efforts of the enemy, and disputed the victory against the broad-fronted phalange; against which if it may be opposed, there is no question but it may be set against the Epicampios, because the broad-fronted phalange hath all her forces united together, the Epicampios fighteth only with her two wings, the midst of the battle being far from joining; unless a man be compelled to enter into the hollowness of the front, in which case both the front and the wings may annoy him. Words of direction for the Cyrte or convexe half Moon. First, order the body into a long square or Plagiophalange. 1 Then let the two fileleaders in the midst of the square march out with their files. 2 The next two on either hand moveright forward one foot short of the first, keeping distance in flank, as before. 3 So the next four, two o● each side: the two next one foot short of the last, the other two one foot short of them. 4 Then the next four, two on each side, each two foot short of other. 5 Then the four last, two on each side, each three foot short of the other. Of the Tetragonall Horsebattaile, and of the wedge of foot to be opposed against it. CHAP. XLVIII. (1) THe Tetragonall horsebattaile is square in figure, but not in number of men. For in squares the number is not always the same: and the General for his advantage may double the length to the depth. The Persians, Sicilians, and most of the 〈…〉 s do affect this form, and take it to be easy in framing, and better in use. (2) Against it is opposed the Phalange called Embolos, or Wedge of foot, all the side consisting of armed men. This kind is borrowed of the horseman's wedge. And yet in the wedge of horse one sufficeth to lead in front, where the foot-wedge must have three, one being unable to bear the sway of the encounter. (3) So Epaminondas the Theban fight with the Lacedæmonians at Mantinaea overthrew a mighty power of theirs by casting his army into a wedge. (4) It is fashioned when the Antistomus Diphalangy Cap. 48. The Horsbattaile square in figure, not in horse The foot wedge The front in marching joineth the front of the wings together, holding them behind like unto the letter A. NOTES. (1) THis Chapter containeth the description of two battles, one of horse, the other of foot to be opposed in fight one against another; namely the square of horse, and the wedge of foot. Of which the tetragonall horsebattaile, square in figure, or ground (for all is one) is described in my notes upon the 18. Chapter of Aelian, as also the wedge of horse, from which this wedge of foot (as Aelian saith) is derived. It will be therefore needless to repeat, what is there written about the forms and diversity of them; or to make comparison of their use and advantage. Against the rhomb of horse, if they come to charge foot, he hath set down two forms of foot to receive them; the Crescent and the hollow-fronted battle called Epicampios emprosthia: which upon this ●eason, because they are hollow in front both, and the rhomb shooteth forth and chargeth in a point, must of necessity by receiving that point into their hollowness, and plying it with their weapons on all sides, distress the rhomb both in front and flank, which is a dangerous kind of fight, and such a one as seldom may be tolerated or endured. (2) Against the square horse battle in figure or ground, he opposeth in this Chapter, the wedge of foot, which albeit it cannot with the like art wrap in and encompass the square, yet is it of force sufficient to break and dissever it, and so to disorder and deface it. For the square of horse having a large front and going with full speed to charge, falleth upon the narrow front of the wedge, which according to Aelian ought to contain no more than three men, and they knitting themselves close, their pikes pretended and being seconded with the rest of their companions behind pretending their pikes likewise, receive the charge with a firm stand, so that only the midst of the horse falling upon the point of their front; cannot reach to the flanks of the wings thereof (because the wedge from the first narrowing groweth backward into an increasing breadth) without breaking of their form, and altering of the front of their square, wherein they were ordered: which if they do, their repulse cannot but follow, because they fight out of order. Now that the form of the wedge in horse is able to endure the shot of the horse, that came against them in a square, appeareth by the 18. Chapter of this book, where it is said that Philip King of Macedon Alexander's father used this form alone, and that Alexander himself ordered his horse in the same manner, who were both victorious in all their fields. That it is as good for foot against horse besides the reasons before rehearsed may be evident by this, that the horse are in motion in the charge, and by that means are soon disordered, whereas the foot stand fast, and keep themselves secure to repulse the violence of the horse. 3. So Epaminondas the Theban] This battle is excellently described by a Xenoph. Hellen. ●. 7. p. 645. D. Xenophon in his seventh book of his history of the Grecians. His words sound thus: After Epaminondas had embattled his army, as he thought fit, he led not straight way against the enemy directly, but declined westward toward the Tegaean mountains lying right over against the enemy, which bred an opinion, that he had no will to fight that day. For after he came up to the mountain and had taken a view of his army, he cansed them to b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lay down their arms in the uppermost part of all, as if he meant to encamp; and by this means allayed the preparation of fight, which most of the enemies had conceived in mind, and likewise their care in maintaining their place and order in battle. After sleeving up to the front, his companies that marched in a wing, he fashioned his whole army into a strong wedge. Then commanding them to c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. take up their armies, he led on, and they followed. The enemy seeing him advance contrary to their expectation, had no leisure to be still, but some ran to their place in battle, some embattled themselves, some bridled their horse, some put on their cuirasses, all were like to men, that were like rather receive, then give a foil to the enemy. Epaminondas led on his army like a galley with the d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. That is, with the point of the wedge against the enemy. prow against the enemy, imagining that wheresoever he should break their array, he should thereby overthrow their whole army. For he resolved to bring the best and strongest part of his army to fight, casting the weakest behind in the rear, knowing that being defeated they would discourage their own side, and breed new courage in the enemy. The enemy ranged his horse like a phalange of armed foot in a great depth without joining foot with them. But Epaminondas made a strong wedge of his horse also allotting them e Lightarmed. foot which had no hearses, conceiving that cutting asunder the enemy's horse, he should easily overthrow their whole army. For you shall hardly find any, that will make good their ground, after they see them of their own side take themselves to their feet. And to the end, to with hold the Athenians from succouring those of the left wing next unto them, he placed both horse and foot right over against them upon the hills, to put them in fear of charging their rear, if they gave aid unto the enemy, so led he on to the charge, and was not deceived of his hopes. For having the better wheresoever he gave on, he put the whole army of his adversaries to flight. So Xenophon. Where you may note not only a square of horse defeated by a wedge of horse, but also a square battle of foot defeated by a wedge of foot. And to show more plainly, that the form of the wedge is forcible against abroad fronted Phalange, I will recite two examples more. The first is out of T. Liutus, who writeth of a battle fought betwixt the Romans and Celtiberians thus. The Celtiberians knowing that the Roman army having spoilt ● huius. their Country, would retire through a forest called Manlius his forest, ●id themselves in it of purpose, to the end to fall upon the Romans upon advantage and unlooked for. When the Roman army had entered the forest by daylight, the enemy rising out his ambush upon the sudden invaded them on both flanks. Which Flaccus (he was the Roman General) seeing, stilled the tumult by the Captains commanding every man to his place, and armies, and bringing the baggage and carriage beasts together, he constantly and without fear embattled his army partly by himself, partly by his Legates and by the Tribunes of the soldiers, as the time and place required. The enemy came on, and the skirmish was attached in the uttermost parts of the Roman Phalange, and at last the battles joined. The fight was hot in all parts, but fortune diverse: for the Legions behaved themselves bravely, and the auxiliary; in both wings as well. The mercinaries were hardly laid unto by the enemy (who bore the like arms; and was a better kind of soldier) & had much ado to make good their ground. The Celtiberians, when they saw they could not match the legions in the ordinary manner of fight, and Ensign against Ensign, cast themselves into a wedge, and so assailed the Romans: in which kind of fight they are so powerful, that they are scarcely to be resisted. Then the legions also branced, and the battle was almost broken. Which danger when Flaccus perceived, he road to the legionary horsemen And is there no help in you said he? This army will immediately be lost. When they cried out at all hands, they would gladly do whatsoever he commanded. Double the troops, said he, of both legions, and with all your might force your horse against this wedge of the enemy, wherewith they press us: you shall do it more violently, if you give on, drawing off the horses bridles, which the Roman horsemen have of ten done heretofore to their great commendation. They obeyed, and pulling off their horses bridles they passed & repassed through the enemy's wedge twice with great slaughter, everyone breaking his staff. The Celtiberians after the breaking and dispersing of their wedge, in which all their hope remained, began to be afraid, and almost quitting the sight, sought where they might best to save themselves. Hitherto Livy. In which passage a man may observe the violence of the wedge, which if it be rightly managed, is of wonderful power to break and dispart any square it shall fall upon. The other example or precedent, is out of a Agathias l. 2. Agathias, where he describeth the battle betwixt Narses (the Emperor justinian's Lieutenant, and Bucelinus General of the Frenchmen. He hath thus. Narses when he came to the place where the fight should be, ordered presently his army into a Phalange. The horse were ranged in the wings; Himself stood in the right wing, and next him Zandalas Captain of his followers, and with him all his mercenary and household servants, that were not unfit for the war, upon either side of him was Valerian and Artabanus, who were commanded to hide themselves a while in the thick of the wood, that was thereby: and when the enemy joined, to fall out suddenly and unlooked for upon them, and to put them into an amazement. The foot had all the space in the midst, and the fileleaders joined shoulder to shoulder being armed with cuirasses and other pieces of armour reaching down to the foot, and with casks: Behind them were other soldiers ordered even as far as to the open fields. The light armed and such as used flying weapons were cast in the rear, expecting a signal of employment. The midst was reserved for the Heruly, and remained empty, because they were not yet come up: Bucelinus advanced his battle, and all ran cheerfully against the Romans, not leisurely, and in good order, but rashly and tumultuously, as if with the very cry they would have rend asunder all that stood against them. The form of their battle was like a wedge; For it resembleth the letter Delta. And the front which shot out in a point, was covered and close, by reason it was hemmed in with Targets (you would have said they counterfeited Caput percium. a a Veget. l. 3. c. 1●. swine's head) but both the flanks on each side lying out by files in depth, and stretching backward byaswise, by little and little were parted and severed one from another, and bearing out still toward the rear end: at last in a great distance, so that the ground in the midst betwixt them was empty, and the backs of the soldiers that were in the wedge, appeared clean through the files uncovered. For their faces were turned chose one from another, to the end, they might bear them toward the enemy, and save themselves from blows, by casting their Targets before them, and secure their back by placing them opposite to the backs of their fellows. All things fellout according to Narses his wish, to whom both a fair opportunity was presented, and who had wisely before contrived what was to be done. For when the Barbarians running on furiously fell upon the Romans with a shout and outery giving upon the milder; they presently broke the front of those that stood in the void space, (for the Heruli were not yet come up) and the leaders of the point of the wedge cutting asunder all that stood in their way, even to the uttermost depth of the file, and yet making no great slaughter, were carried beyond the bringers up of Narses battle, and some of them continued their course further, thinking to take in the Roman Camp, Then Narses presently turning about and extending out his wings, and making (as the Tactics name is) an Epicampios emprosthia, commanded the archers on horseback to send their arrows by turns, upon the backs of the enemy, which they easily performed. For being on horseback higher than the Barbarian foot, they might at their pleasure strike them, as they advanced forward, being in a great breadth, and nothing to shadow them. Hitherto Agathias. It would be long to rehearse the rest of the battle which he exaggerateth rhetorically. I have recited so much, as both showeth the strength of the wedge, and withal the manner which was used by Narses, to overthrow it. For I find three kind of ways which have been practised to resist and defeat it. One by charging it with horse, before it enter the adverse battle, as Flaccus did against the Celtiberians. The second to frame the adverse battle empty in the midst (filling it with some soldiers notwithstanding for show) and when he entereth the space, to ply his rear with shot, and charge it throughly as Narses did. The third to oppose against it a hollow wedge (which Vegetius calleth forfex) and receiving and letting in the point of this wedge into the hollowness of the other to clasp it in, and charge it on all sides. Against the wedge saith Vegetius, is opposed the battle called forfex, a pair of shears: For it is framed of the best and valiantest soldiers to the similitude of the letter V. and it receiveth in, and embraceth the wedge, so that it cannot break through it. 4 It is fashioned when the Diphalange Antistomus.] This manner of framing a wedge is described by Aelian in the 36 Chapter: and yet that wedge set down there openeth in front, keepi 〈…〉 the rear shut, and is opposed against the right induction, and called Caelembolos; here the wedge is described that openeth the rear, keeping the front close, and is opposed against the square. But the manner of framing both standeth upon one reason: For the fileleaders being placed within the Caelembolos, the front of the battle is opened and the rear kept close: in the other, the fileleaders being without, the rear is opened, the front still maintained shut. Front. V Calembolos Front. Λ Embolos. Now the file leaders place is varied in either of them, because of the several effects which they work. The hollow fronted wedge Caelembolos seeketh to hold the enemy together, & so defeat him. The other to dispart and rout him, and so to gain the victory. And because the stress of the Caelembolos is within (for the flanks of the hollowness clasp in the enemy, and fight against his flanks) therefore are the file leaders the foremost that fight within; as likewise because the outsides of the wedge of this Chapter bear all the weight of the fight, therefore in it are the fileleaders without. For as in all other battles the fileleaders ought first to attach the enemy, so is it likewise in these two forms. But where Aelian saith, that this battle is made out of the Diphalange Antistomus, by joining the wings in front, and opening them behind, I take the Text to be corrupted. For the Diphalange Antistomus hath the fileleaders within, to resist the horse that charge them, as the 40 Chapter teacheth: this hath the fileleaders without to break the enemy's battle and dissever it. The Caelembolos indeed is framed out of the Diphalange Antistomus: But the wedge of this Chapter springeth out of the Phalange Antistomus, which hath the fileleaders without. And so I am of opinion, it ought to be read in the Text. And yet there is no question but another way of figuring the wedge may be practised, then to leave it hollow behind. In this Chapter it is called Embolos, and Aelian faith it is borrowed of the horse-wedge: Now that the horse-wedge is solid Cap. 49. The Peplegmene The Plesium The front 〈…〉 not hollow within, is plain by the 19 and 20 Chapters of this 〈…〉 will conclude this Chapter with the caution of Vegetius, which is this, that if you shill make a pair of tongs or a hallow wedge, you ought to have reserves in readiness behind the battle, wherewith you may frame your tongs or wedge. And yet this caution holdeth not always; For as a horse-wedge, so a foot-wedge may be framed without supernumeraries: as the 19 and 20 Chapters show. Of the foot-battaile called Plesium, and of the Winding or Sawefronted battle to encounter it. CHAP. XLIX. (1) THE battle Plesium hath the (2) length much exceeding the depth. And it is called Plesium when armed foot are placed on all sides, the archers and slingers being thrown into the midst. Against this kind of battle is set the winding-fronted battle, to the end that with the unequal figure it may train out those of the Plesium to cope with them; and by that means dissolve and disorder the thickness of the same. And the fileleaders of the winding-fronted battle observe the fileleaders of the Plesium, that if they still maintain their closeness and fight secret, they also encounter them in the like form. If the Plesium fileleaders sever themselves and spring out from their main force, than they likewise be ready to meet them man to man. NOTES. 1 THis Chapter containeth two foot-battailes, one to be opposed against the other; the first called the Plesium, or hollow-square; the second the winding-fronted-battaile or Peplegmene. Of which the first hath been used by all antiquity, especially by the Grecians, whensoever the enemies overtopped in number, and they feared to be charged on all sides. It is called Plesium of the figure which is square; but originally and more particularly of the mould wherein bricks are cast. a Etymology. magnum in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Because the battle hath the likeness of the mould; as being both square, and also hollow within, as I have noted before. Neither is this name given to a battle alone; b Plut in vita Alexandri. Plutarch saith, that the chariot wherein Alexander road, when he returned from the Indies quaffing and rioting, was framed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, in a square hollow form, and the Helepolis (an engine which c Plut. in vita Demetrij. Demetrius invented to batter the Rhodian City) was tetragonall, and had 48 cubits in every side of the Plesium. But in a battle, that is Plesium, saith Aelian, which 2 Hath the length manifoldly exceeding the depth.] The length of a battle, as I have showed heretofore, is that which runneth from the point of one wing to the other in front; the depth, that is measured from the front to the rear. In the Plesium then, according to Aelian, the length or breadth ought to be manifold to the depth. But it is not generally so; for oftentimes you shall read of Plesiums with d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 de exp. l. 3. 310. A. ●rr. ● 4. 31. ●. equal sides; and likewise that the Plesium is sometimes hollow within, sometimes solid and filled up within with men: of which last kind e Xenoph. d'exp. l. 1 264. A. Xenophon saith, many of the Barbarians framed their troops in the battle betwixt Artaxerxes and Cyrus. Of the first Aelian speaketh in this Chapter: for he would have the four sides to consist of armed, and the archers and slingers to be thrown into the hollowness within. He hath before in the 42 Chapter described the Plinthium to be a square battle in figure and number; this he would have to be a square with the front manifoldly longer than the flank. So that both battles agree in that they are square both in that they have armed on all sides, both in that they are hollow within; they differ only in the form of the square, which is longer in the Plesium, deeper in the Plinthium. Their affinity also appeareth in this also, that the Plinthium hath the name from a brick, the Plesium from the mould of a brick; yet are their names oftentimes confounded: For that which is called in one Author Plesium, is in another called Plinthium: as namely the battle of Antony in Persia, is by f Plut. in Antonio. Plutarch named Plesium, by g App. in Path. 162. Appian Plinthium. To show now the use of this battatle, it is of the kind of Defensives; and the Grecians, whensoever they feared to be charged in flank, front, and rear at once, or to be over-laid with number of enemies, had recourse unto this form. There is a notable example of it in h Thucyd. l. 7. 550. c. These two Generals had each of them half the Army under their command. Thucydides. The Athenians having besieged Syracuse in Cicill both by Sea and Land, and being overcome in two battles by Sea, thought to march by land to someone of their considerate Cities in the Island; and fearing to be round beset by the Syracusians in their way; Nicias one of the Athenian Generals put his part of the army in a Plesium, and so marched before: Demosthenes the other Athenian General, followed with the other part of the army in the same form. The armed took into the hollowness of their battles the carriage and unuseful multitude. When they came to the ford of theriver Anapis, they found the Syracusians and their allies embattled there, whom having beaten from the place, they passed o●er and continued heir march. The Syracusian horse still charged, and the lightarmed ceased not to ply them with mis●iue weapons; but yet they came not to handblowes, fearing to hazard against men desperately bend to sell their lives dearly. At last wearying them with many day's skirmish, and disordering their army, they forced them to yield. This History is at large set down by Thucydides. I have abridged it, lest it should take up too much room; and yet have expressed both the form in his words, and further the means, that the enemy used to break it, and to get the victory. This form was used by the i Xenoph. de exp. l. 3. 303. E. Grecians at their return out of Persia, after that Clearchus and the other Colonels were ensnared by Tissaphernes, and put to death: and again by Xenophon, when he retreated, after he had failed of the taking of Asidates prisoner, not far from Pergamus a City of Lydia. For the means to dissolve this battle, the principal is, not to charge at hand those that stand so embattled, but to ply them far off with missive weapons; which is manifest by the fight of the Syracusians against Nicias and the Athenians; and by that of the Persians, who so assailed Xenophon in his retreat last mentioned. Aelian setteth against it another form of battle which he termeth Peplegmene, the winding fronted battle, which is by some called the saw: what kind of battle the saw is, I see controverted. Some would have it consist of a constant front indented, and not changeable or alterable in any part, during the charge. If that be the saw, it cannot agree Cap. 50. The adverse battle The overwinging battle Cap. 50. The adverse battle The overfronting battle with Aelians' description, who would have the fileleaders of the Peplegmene to advance before their battle, and be still in motion, of purpose to train out the fileleaders of the Plesium to meet them, thereby to dissolve the form of their battle. And this is but a stratagem to prevail against the enemy. For, as a Leo ●. 2● §. ●●●● Leo saith, a good Generallought, as a good wrestler, to make show of one thing, and to put another in practice, to the end to deceive the enemy, and gain the victory; as is done in this manner of embattailing; but that the Saw is no constant or settled form of fight, as the rest are, which are described by Aelian in the Chapters going before, appeareth by Fiestus, whose words are these: Serra praeliari dicitur, cum assidue acciditur, recediturque, neque ullo consistitur tempore. The skirmish is said to be made in the form of a Saw, when they that use this for me continually give on and retire, and at no time stand still. But we must understand that the moving is not by mamples or by lightarmed, as b Lipsius' de mil. Rom. ●. ●. di●●●. p, 280. Lipsius interpreteth it, but by fileleaders of the armed, as Aelian teacheth, (with intent to train out the fileleaders of the Plesium, and so to disorder their battle:) the rest of the Peplegmene standing still in their form. Now then to make a Peplegmene or sawe-battaile, direction is to be given to the fileleaders alone to fall out confusedly against the adverse Plesium of the enemy, and to the rest in the files to stand still. Otherwise being not forewarned, the whole files will move and follow their leaders; which if they do, this form cannot be made, but the battle remaineth as a square as it did before the going to charge. The form of framing the battle called the Plesium, and the words of command are described in my notes upon the 42 Chapter. Of Hyperphalangesis, and Hyperkerasis, and of Attenuation. CHAP. L. (1) HYperphalangesis, or overfronting is, when both wings of the Phalange overreach the enemy's front. 2 Hyperkerasis, or overwinging, is when with one of our wings we overreach the front of the enemy. So that he that overfronteth, overwingth; but he that overwingeth, overfronteth not. For they that match not the enemy in multitude, may yet overwing him. 3 Attenuation is when the depth of the battle is gathered up, and in stead of 16, a smaller number is set. NOTES. IN this Chapter, being the last, that describeth forms of battles, are two kinds of battles set forth, which are (if I mistake not) of more efficacy, I am sure, such as have been more practised, than any of the other, that go before in this book; and they specially give advantage to them, that have advantage in numbers of men, and can frame a larger fronted Phalange then the enemy is able. And either of them opposeth a large front against the enemy, the one stretching it beyond the points of both their wings the other beyond the point one of their wings. The first kind is called Hyperphalangesis, over-fronting, the other Hyperkerasis, overwinging. Hyperphalangesis or over-fronting is, faith Aelian; 1 When both wings of the Phalange overreach the enemy's front.] To make it then Hyperphalangesis, the front must be much broader than the enemies, & extended beyond both their wings, of purpose to over reach & wrap them in, charging not only the front, but also the flanks on both sides at once; which is so dangerous a kind of fight, that he that is so assailed, can have no great hope of making resistance against his enemy; because the front being the place which is ordained for fight, and the pikes being bend and lying out from thence, if at the same time the flanks be also charged, the sides of the soldiers must needs lie open to wounds, no man being able to defend himself, and turn his weapons two ways at once. The over-fronting of a Xenoph. Cyrop. l. 7. 173. Croesus used against Cyrus, rehearsed by me in my notes upon the 46 Chapter, is an eminent example of Hyperphalangesis, whereby Croesus at one instant invaded the front and both flanks of the enemy's battle. The like maybe said of the battle of b Arr. l. 2. 3 5. E. & l. 3. 60. C. Darius at Issos' & Gaugamela, against Alexander; and of c Poly●. l. 11. SIXPENCES. B. Liu. l. ●●. 204. B. Hirt●us de bell. Afr. 385. Scipio against Asdrubal Gisgoes son in Spain; and of Lau●enus against Caesar in Africa. The manner of framing this form is diverse: ●or either you show all your forces at first, or else conceal some part; and showing all, you march in an even and whole front, and bowing afterward your wings, enclose the flanks of the enemy, or else in on embowed form at first (such as are the hollow▪ fronted battles) and so encompass your enemy, taking him into the hollowness, as you march forward. Of the first kind was the battle of Labienus against Caesar which I mentioned last, and those of Darius against Alexander. Of marching in an embowed form, that of Croesus against Cyrus: Of concealing your number, that of Cleandridas against the Thurian cited by 〈…〉 y notes upon the 29 Chapter of this book; and of Scipio against Asdrubal which is set down at large in the notes upon the 28 Chapter. 2 Hyperkerosis is when we overreach the enemy's front with one of our wings.] Ouerfronting See Diod. Sic of Philip against the Illyrians l. 16 pag. 512. is of both wings, overwinging but of one. So that albeit your number be smaller than the enemies, yet it you wrap in a part of his front, and one of his wings, you so overwing him. To show an example of overwinging you may find in Thucydides, that the Argives with their allies, being in the field against the ● acedemonians and their allies, the battles were ordered thus: The a Thucyd. l. 5. 350. D. See the like example in Xenoph. hist ●rek. l. ●. 515. E. 516. A. B. Lacedæmonians gave the point of the left wing to the Scirites, who only of the Lacedæmonians have always that place. Next to them they ordered the soldiers that came with Brasidas out of Th'ace: Next them the new ma●e Citizens by companies by their si●es, first the Heroeans, than the Menalians, Arcadians both. In the right wing were the Tegaeans, and a few of the Lacedemo i●●s in the point of that wing. The ●orse were ranged on both wings. Thus were the Lacedæmonians embattled: Their enemies thus; The Mantinaeans had the right wing, because the war was made in their Territory: by them stood the Arcadians their confederates. Then 1000 selected Argives, whom the City had long time trained up in military exercise; to whom joined the other Argives; and after them were ordered the Cleoneans, and the Orneatians their allies. The last were the Athenians, that had the left wing, and their own horse b● them. This was the preparation and embattailing of both parties. When they went to charge, the Argives and their allies marched forward with speed and great fury, the Lacedæmonians leisurely according to the sound of the fifes, placed within their battle, not for any religion sake, but to the end, that framing their motion to the sound of the instrument, they might not in the march break their order of embattailing, which great armies often do in advancing; to join with the enemy. When they were ready to join, King Agis bethought himself of this strata gem: It is the manner of all armies in the onset to stretch out their right wings, and with them to circumvent and encompass the left wings of their adversaries; because every soldier careful of his own sefety seeks to cover his unarmed side with the target of him that standeth next to his right hand, and imagineth that the setting of targets close▪ serves for the best defence against the enemy. The cause is this; the corner file-leader of the right wing desiring to withdraw as much as he can his naked side from the weapons of the enemy proceedeth to the right hand, and the rest follow him. And at that time the Mantineans a great deal overreached the Scirites with their wing. The Lacedæmonians and Tegeats much more the Athenians, by reason they o●ermatched the● in number. Agis therefore fearing the encompassing of his left wing, seeing that the front of the Mantineans was very broad, and far extended, gave a sign to the Scirites and Brasideans to stretch out their wing, and to equal the front of the Mantineans. And for the void space that should remain upon their advancing; he commanded two Polemarches or Colonels, Hipponoidas and Aristocles to lead therein two cohorts from the right wing, and fill up the void space, conceiving that he should, this notwithstanding, leave himself strength enough in the right wing, and that the wing opposed against the Mantineans should hereby be better enabled to the encounter. But it happened that Hipponoidas & Aristocles followed not these directions, whether the reason were in the suddenness of the command, or in the prevention of the enemies giving on: for which fault they were afterward banished Sparta, as men effeminate & cowards. When they came to hands, the right wing of the Mantineans put the Scirites and Brasideans to flight. And they and their allies, and the 1000 selected Argives falling into the empty space, that was not filled up, made a great slaughter of the Lacedæmonians; and encompassing them forced them to turn their backs in haste, and fly to their wagons, and slew also some of the elder sort of soldiers, that were left for guard there. Hitherto Thucydides. I prosecute not the remanen● of the battle, because it is somewhat long. That which I have recited is enough for my purpose, namely to show the manner of overwinging. Thus then apply it. The Mantineans had their right wing far extended beyond the point of the left wing of the Scirites and brasidaeans; who by marching out to the left hand sought to equal the front of their adversaries, but left the ground void, wherein they were first placed. This ground by Agis his commandment should have been filled by the Cohorts of Hipponoidas and Aristocles. It was not filled, so that in the charge the enemy had the advantage to enter it, and to circumvent on that side the Scirites and Brasideans, and put them to flight: which danger will be common to all that shall be so overwinged by their enemy. The danger then of over-fronting and overwinging being so great, let us see what remedies and preventions against either of them have been devised by antiquity. Against ●ner-fronting, they sought to secure the flanks of their battles, Remedies against over-fronting. sometimes by ordering their army in such a figure, as should be sufficient to sustain the charge of the enemy, wheresoever he gave on. Of which kind The Plesiu 〈…〉. is the Plesium or hollow-square spoken of in the last Chapter. This was practised by the Grecians at their return out of Persia; and oftentimes by other Grecians, as is every where to be found in their histories. And Alexander when he was to fight with Darius at Gaugamela (the country being Epicampios opisthia. ●sod. Sic. l. 17. 592 Ar●. l. 3. 60. C. E. Champagne, and Darius abounding in multitudes) defended himself with an Epicampios opisthia, or a rear hollow battle. I have showed the manner of it before in my notes upon the 46 Chapter. And sometimes again by foreseeing the danger and placing reserves in the rear, or some other secret place to charge the enemy in their flank, while they busy themselves against your flanks. This b Xenoph. Cyrop. 176. ●. Leo. 14. §. 8. was practised by Cyrus the elder against Croesns, as I have showed in my notes upon the 46 Chapter. Of c Poly●● l. 1●4. § 2 this kind also it is, when you lay an ambush to charge their rear, while they charge your flanks. The place will likewise help much to avoid encompassing. For if the battle be fought in a straight place by nature, where the enemy cannot draw out his Phalange in length, there is no danger of encompassing. So Alexander at Issos' in Cilic 〈…〉 was freed from encompassing, the place Arr. l. 2. 35, 36. being too narrow for Darius to bring all his forces into an equal front. The place may also be helped by art in case it be otherwise to open, and fit for the enemy, that aboundeth in number to encompasle us on every side. So d Caesar de bello gall l. 2. 36. & l. 3. 323. Caesar being to fight against multitudes of Gauls, drew a deep trench on both the flanks of his army to assure it from the charge of the enemy. The like did e Plut in Sylla & Appian in bell. inithrida●ico. Sylla against Archelau● the ●enerall of Mithridats in the battle Cheronea, and both o● them so securing their armies from circumvention, became by that means masters of the field and conquerors of their enemies. Of later time f Turkish history 297. §. 2. 10. Huniades the Hungarian King, being to fight against a huge army of the Turks, gained a noble victory against them by placing his army on the one side against a fen, and enclosing it on the other side with his wagons. And these preventio 〈…〉 have been devised against Hyperphalangesis, or over-fronting. Against overwinning, they thought it Remedies against overwinging. sufficient to strengthen and make safe the wing, that was like to be endangered by the enemy; so that all remedies against overfronting are good also against overwinging: but the remedies against overwinging are not sufficient to frustrate overfronting. Ouerwinging therefore hath been avoided sometimes by drawing out the endangered wing in length to equal the enemy's wing, that opposeth against it. This is done by doubling of ranks as g Aelian c. 29. fig. 5 Aelian teacheth in the 29 Chapter and as it was practised by h Poly ●. l. ●. in Clea●●rida. ●. 4. Leo ●. ●. ● 19 Cleandridas the Lacedaemonian against t●e Thurians. Wherein netwithstanding this caution is to be held, that you double not your ranks so, that you make the depth of your body to thin; for i Leo ●. 1●. § 108. in so doing your body will be as subject to breaking for want of depth as for want or length to overwing. Beside, it is done by facing to the hand, where the enemy's battle overwingeth, and marching out against it paralelly, till your wing equal the wing of the enemy: but so notwithstanding that the void space, from whence you drew your wing, be filled up, for fear the enemy give in to it, and distress you there, as may be seen by the precedent which in this Chapter I gave out of Thucydides of overwinging, and the example of the Colchans, who fearing to be overfronted by the Grecians upon a hill, upon which they stood embattled, led their wings to the right and left hand to match the front of the Grecians, leaving the midst of their battle empty, into which the Grecians conveying themselves easily put the Colchans to flight, as k Xenoph. ● exp. l. 4 341. F. Xenophon recordeth. l Leo ●. 12. §. 34. Ouerwinging is also prevented, if you hold reserves secretly in the rear of your battle to fly out upon the sudden against those forces of the enemy, that seek to overwing you. This remedy was used by a Caesar de bell 〈…〉 322. Caesar in the battle of Pharsaly, when Pompey having abundance of horsemen, sought to circumvent that wing of Caesar's battle, which lay to the open field, and was not guarded with a fence, as the other wing was. For to prevent the charge of these horse, Caesar bestowed certain cohorts, who were to hold themselves close in the rear of his legions; not facing as his legions did against the legions of Pompey, but facing into the field, from whence he suspected the enemy's horse would charge; so that when the horse charged, these cohorts suddenly falling out upon them, and putting them to flight, were the beginning of Caesar's victory. The place also often giveth assurance against overwinging, whether it be a river or the sea, or a mountain, or such like, to which you may apply the flank of your wing. For a river, you have the example of Clearchus in the battle betwixt Artaxerxes and Cyrus the younger, in which b Xenoph. de exped. 6. 1. 263. C. Clearchus ordered his troops of Grecians on the right wing close to the river Euphrates. And when Cyrus would have had him charge the midst of the Persian Phalange, because the King had placed himself there: (yet saith Xenophon) Clearchus seeing the King was far without the left wing of the Grecians (for the King so much exceeded in multitude, that the midst of his battle was a great way without the left wing of Cyrus) would not withdraw his right wing from the river, fearing to be encompassed on both sides. The like was done by Alexander the Great in the Country of the Geteses: this is the effect of the words of Arrian; c Arr. l. 1. 4. ●. When they (the Geteses) sand Alexander industriously advance his Phalarge by the river's side, lest the foot might happily be circumvented and encompassedly some ambus● of the Geteses, and his horse in the front, the Geteses for forsook also their City, which was not very well walled, setting many of their children and wives upon their horses backs, as the horses could carry, and retired into the wilderness a great way from the river. By the Sea you may avoid likewise overwinging, if you order one of the flanks of your Army close to the Sea side. This was put in ure by Alexander when he sought the battle against Darius at Issos' in Cilicia. Thus ha●● 〈…〉 The foot of the left wing were commanded by Craterus, but the whole left wing by 〈…〉 o, who was enjoined not to forsake the Sea, for fear of encompassing by the Barbarians: for by reason of their number they might easily encircle the Macedonians on all parts. A Mountain also that is sleep, will give good security to the 〈…〉 auke of a battle, 〈…〉. l. 11. 25● that may otherwise be encompassed. At the battle of Platea which was fought betwixt the Grecians and Mardonius, Xerxes his General; the Grecian Army consisting of 100000. the Persian of 500 thousand, the Grecians at the first encamped at the foot of the Mountain Cithaeron; but finding the place fitter for the multitude of the Persians, then for themselves, they removed their Camp, and chose a more commodious piece of ground to pursue the total victory. For there was on the right hand a high hill, on the l●●t, ran the river Asopus. The Camp was pitched in the middle space, which was fortified by the nature and safeness of the plot of ground. Therefore the straightness of the place much favoured the wise counsel of the Grecians, toward the obtaining of victory. For there was no room for the Persi●●s to extend their Phalange in any great proportion of length; so that many Myriad of the Barbarians came to be of no use. The Grecians therefore Myrias is 〈…〉. in confidence of the place, advanced their forces to fight, and ordering themselves according to the present occasion, led against the enemy. Mardonius being compelled to make a deep Phalange, ordered his battle in such sort, as he thought most convenient, and with cries set forward against the Grecians. This example albeit it be a remedy against Hyperphalangesis, or over-fronting, yet because it giveth a safeguard by a mountain to one of the wings, I take it to be proper enough to Hyperkerasis or overwinging. Besides that, as I before noted, all means that are used to avoid over-fronting, are good likewise for the avoiding of overwinging. 3 Attenuation is.] This is nothing else but doubling of ranks: whereof see the 29 Chapter. Of conveying the carriage of the Army. CHAP. XLV. THE leading of the carriage, if any thing else, is of great (1) importance, and (2) requireth a special Commander. It may be conveyed in 5 manners, (3) either before the army, or (4) behind, or on the (5) one flank, or the other, or in the (6) midst. Before, when you fear to be charged behind: behind, when you lead toward your enemy: when you fear to be charged in flank, on the contrary side. In the midst when a hollow battle is needful. NOTES. 1 IS of great importance.] The importange of disposing the carriage in a march is well set down by a Leo. c. 10. § 1, 2, 3, 4. Leo: You (saith he to his General) ought to have a special care of your baggage, and not to leave it at random, but to secure it in the place where it shall be; nor to lead it unadvisedly into the battle: For it oftentimes falleth out, that servants fit for the Soldier's use, and the soldier's children and kinsmen are amongst it: and if it remain not in safety, the minds of the soldiers are distracted with doubtfulness and care and fear of the spoil thereof: for every man of understanding endeavoureth to possess that which is the enemies, without loss of his own. This is the advice of Leo. A pregnant example hereof may be read in Diodorus Siculus his description of the last battle betwixt Antigonus and Eumenes; In which Antigonus having foiled Eumenes horse, sent his Median horsemen, and a sufficient number of Tarentines to invade the enemy's baggage; For he hoped (which was true) not to be descried by reason of the dust, and by possessing the baggage to become vanquisher of the enemy without travail. They that were sent riding about the wing of their adversary's unperceived, fell upon the baggage, which was distant from the battle about five furlongs. And finding by it a rabble of folk unfit for fight, and but a few left for guard thereof, putting them to flight quickly (that withstood) they made themselves masters of all the rest. Eumenes hearing that his baggage was lost, endeavoured notwithstanding to renew the fight, in hope by gaining the victory, not only to preserve his own baggage, but also to possess that of the enemy. But the Macedonians refused to strike stroke, alleging that their carriage was lost, and their children and wives, and many other bodies necessary were in the hands of the enemy. And sending privily Ambassadors to Antigonus they seized upon Eumenes, and delivered him up into Antigonus possession. Thus much for the importance of assuring the carriage. 2 Requireth a special Commander.] That the baggage ought to have a special Commander b Leo. c. 10. § 1●. Leo also affirmeth: c Vegetius. Vigetius addeth a guard to the baggage, and d Leo c. 4. § 53, 54 & c. 14. § 15. Leo a proper Ensign, saying; To every regiment there ought to be allotted a Wagon Master, and a proper Ensign as well to the horse as oxen, that they may be discerned to their owners by the colours of the Ensign. 3 Either before the Army.] The first of the five ways, by which the baggage is conveyed in a march, is to lead it before the Army; which manner is to be put in practice, when the enemy pursueth in the rear: For if when the enemy followeth, the baggage should be behind, he would soon have means to self upon and rifle it, than you could have to wheel about your army to succour it. For these five manners of conveying the carriage, Leo agreeth with Aelian in these words: Your carriage, saith he, aught e Leo. c. 10. § 19 to have a special Commander to order and govern it: and he is to lead it either before the Army, if you disonarch out of the enemy's Country; after the Army, if you invade the enemy's territory; on the one side or other, when you fear to be charged on the one or either of your flanks; within the phalange, when you have suspicion to be charged on all parts. So Leo agreeing with Aelian. 4 Orbehinde.] The baggage is to be always disposed of so, that the army may be betwixt it and the enemy. It ought to be before when the enemy is like to give on behind; behind, when he seeketh to affront you from before. And yet it sometimes falleth out, that all the baggage is not to be led behind the whole army, according to this precept of f Leo. c. 9 § 6. &. c. 12. §. 125. When the enemy is not feared. Leo. Cause every drung or regiment (saith he to his General) to accustom their own baggage to follow after their regiment with their own Ensigns, and not to mingle with other. For it is necessary, when the enemy is neither present nor expected in our own Country, to ma●ch either by Regiments or else by Forms; and not to gather your whole Army into one place, lest thet be easily starned with hunger, or the number be quickly ●●scoue ●● by the enemy's espicials, or be severed in forage. In another place speaking of marching thorough woddy and rough ways, he g Leo. c. 9 §. 6●. hath th●: In case you have horse or baggage, lead your baggage behind your Army, and after it the horse, and after them a few light armed targatiers, to be as it were bringers up of the march, for fear of unexpected incursions which oftentimes chance to be made by the enemy. h Leo. 17. § 60. In another thus: When you enter your enemy's Country, you shall cause your carriage to march in the rear; but when the enemy draweth near, you shall bestow it in the midst of the Army. i Leo. c. 10. § 18. And in any case you must have your carriage, and the Captives (if you have any) separated from the soldiers that are to fight, lest if the enemy fall on roundly, they be hindered that are to fight. For the distance that the carriage ought to hold behind the Army, the same Leo hath thus; If you think it convenient for the carriage to follow the Army, you are to order it a full bowe-shot from the Army, and let every part follow their own bodies in good array: giving it such breadth in the march, is the Army possesseth; lest that lying out beyond the breadth of the Army, they become unsuccourable. These are the precepts of Leo concerning the conveyance of the carriage in the rear. For the practice of it you have a precedent of h ●eno●h. Cyrop. ●. 168. A. B. Cyrus the elder, which is at large rehearsed by me in my notes upon the 7 Chapter of this Book: and another of l Arr●●●. 14 ●. Alexander the Great, when he led against the Persians at the river Granicus, and an infinite number of other examples are to be found in History every where. 5 Or on the one flank, or the other.] Aelians' precept for disposing of the ●●●● Leon●. ●. 14. § 1●. baggage on the flanks, is very good: For it ought as much as is possible, to be preserved from the touch of the enemy; neither can there be any better way to secure it, than your opposition, the Army betwixt it and the enemy; but so, notwithstanding that it have a guard about it at all times, to save it from the sudden invasion of your enemy's horse. If therefore the enemy appear on your left flank, your baggage is to be conveied on the right flank; If chose the enemy come on to charge your right flank, the baggage is to be removed to the left. And this holdeth, only when the enemy appeareth upon one flank, and not on both. But in case the enemy appear on both flanks at once, then is the safest place for it, (6) In the midst.] There are two manners of leading of the baggage in the midst, and that according to the nature and condition of the ground, where our army marcheth. If therefore the way be strait, Leo giveth this precept; Those that leads their army through straits, having with it either baggage or prey, aught to divide it into a diphalange, and to march wing-wise in a Leo c. 9 §. 46, 47. right induction. A right induction, that is, which is narrow in front, and hath the depth stretched out in length: And this is to be done especially when there is a prey in the hands of the army. And if they consist of foot, the passage will be the easier through rough and cumber some places. If horse, the are to alight and take the baggage and carriage into the midst. But in such times and places, you are to appoint some chosen men only for the defence of the prey, and to order them upon the four sides of the Diphalange, is the place will give leave, to the end to follow ●● and repulse those of the enemy that offer to charge or distract it. And the battle (or diphalange) so ordered for the preservation of the carriage or prey, be maintained wh●le and entire. For it is not possible for those of the Diphalangy, both to defend the prey 〈…〉 order, and to join with the enemy that chargeth, which is the cause thee there ●●ght to be extraordinary men to march without the four sides of the army; but especially you are to appoint the best of them to wait upon the rear▪ For so may at all times, tough and troublesome places be passed through with safety. This is Leo●s precept for straight & narrow passages: because in such you cannot form your army into a hollow square, wherein the baggage is to be couched, and to be descended on all sides. For if the ground be open enough to cast yourself into a square, he holdeth the form the safest to give security to your baggage. These be his words: Place all four carriage, servants, and baggage, and provision, in the midst of your Leo c. 9 §. 36. army. And in another place, speaking of a retreat to be made after an overthrow received, he writeth thus: You shall order your whole power into two Phalanges or battles, or into one square Plinthium; in the midst whereof you shall put Leo. c 14. §. 24. the carriage, beasts, and baggage, and without them the soldiers in order, and without them the archers, and so retire and depart in safety. Again he saith, In marches, the enemy approaching, it is necessary to have your carriage in the midst, lest being unguarded, it be spoilt and rifled. With Leo doth Xenophon agree. His Xenophed ●●p. ●●. ●●●. ●. words have this show▪ I will not wonder, if as fearful dogs are wont to follow and bite such as pass by, if they can, and to fly from such as follow them, so the enemy hang upon our rear. Therefore we shall perhaps march the safer, if making a Plesium of the armed, the carriage and unprofitable multitude be thrown into the midst for more security. And if it be now determined who shall command the front of the Plesium, and who the two wings, and who the rear, we shall not need to consult when the enemy approacheth, but execute that which is resolved upon. This is Xenophons' counsel for the march in open ground, when the enemy aboundeth in number of soldiers: which counsel was often put in practice, and the Grecians being but 10000 secured themselves against infinite multitudes of Persian horse that charged them on all sides, and also preserved, and led their carriage sat in despite of the enemy. The like was practised by Xenophon afterward in the last warlike action of the Grecians in their return out of Persia. He setteth down the history after this manner; Now was it time, Xenoph▪ d'exp. l. 3. 304. 6. viz. after they had assaulted a fort in vain, the enemy of the country gathering head) to think upon a fair retreat, and conue●ing the oxen and sheep they had taken, and likewise the slaves into a Plesium, they quickly dismarched, not so much esteeming their prey, as fearing in case they left it behind, their departure might seem a plain running away, and the enemy gather heart, the Grecian soldiers be discouraged. So now they departed fight as it were about the prey. The Soldiers with Xenophon being shrewdl annoyed wi●h bows & slings, cast themselves into a ring to the end to oppose their targets against the shot of the enemy, and with much ado passed the river Caicus, the one half of them being wounded. Agasias also the Stymphalian Captain was hurt whilst he maintained fight with the enemy, during the whole retreat. Yet they all returned safe to the Camp bringing with them about 200 slaves, and sheep enough for Sacrifice. Here Xenophons' soldiers figured themselves first into a Plesium couching their prey in the midst; afterward being overlayed with the enemies shot, they converted their Plesium into a Ring, in which form they tecovered their Came, notwithstanding the molestation and often charging of a great multitude of horse and foot, that were enemy and followed them. Of the form of Rings I find not many examples amongst the Grecians; the Romans used them often, when they found themselves encompassed by the enemy, as a ●e et l. ●. 6. 26. T. Lia. Cesar. ●. ●. ●●●eil. gal●. Hirtuis de bed. Alexand. 358. Vegetius hath; and may be seen in Cae●ars Commentaries. And let thus be said of the four manners of placing the carriage in a march. Of the words of Command, and certain observations about them. CHAP. LII. LAst of all, we will briefly repeat the words of direction; if we admonish first that they ought to be short, then that they ought to be without double signification. For the Soldiers, that in haste receive direction, had need to take heed of doubtful words, lest one do one thing, and another the contrary. As for the purpose; If I say turn your face, some, it may be, that hear me, will turn to the right, some to the left hand, and so no small confusion follow. Seeing therefore these words Turn your face import a general signification, and comprehend turning to the right or left hand; we ought in stead of saying turn your face to the pike, to pronounce it thus, To your pike turn your face; that is, we ought to set the particular before, and then infer the general; for so will all do alike together. Like reason is, if you say Turn about your face, or countermarch: for these are also general words, and therefore we should do well to set the particular before. As to the pike, turn your face about, or to the target, turn your face about. Likewise the Lacedaemonian Countermarch, not the countermarch Lacedaemonian: For if you place the word countermarch first, some of the Soldiers will happily fall to one kind, other to another kind of countermarch. For which cause words of double sense are to be avoided, and the special to be set before the general. NOTES. IF we admonish first that they ought to be short.] The ordering and motions of an army ought to be quickly performed, the rather because the transmutations of the body and the occasions of them are sudden for the most part. And therefore the means to work the transmutations commanded (these means are the words of direction) ought to suit to the nature of the motions themselves, and to be applied to celerity by shortness of speech. Short speech is better carried away, and sooner put in execution, than speech that is longer. Yet is not such a shortness to be affected, as will bring with it obscurity, according to the saying of the Poet; Brevis esse laboro— Obscurus fio. I labour to be short, and so become obscure. And therefore I take the practice of French Commanders, when they command Facing in these words; A droie, a gauche, to the right, to the left, without adding face, and likewise of the Netherlanders in imitation of the French Reehes am, slinks am, and of some English in these words; To the right, to the left, not pronouncing the motion which is to be made to the hand appointed. These I say, I take to be without the warrant of reason, and of all antiquity, from which Aelian draweth this rule. For the command of right and left alone showeth that the Commander would have a motion performed to the named hand, but leaveth uncertain what the motion should be, so that albeit some soldiers fall to a countermarch, some other to wheeling, or to doubling, or to facing, they are to be reputed blameless, and to have performed that which their direction willed them to do, because the command was of moving to the right or left hand only, not showing what motion should be made to either hand. Shortness therefore is required by Aelian, but such a Shortness as is not wrapped up in obscurity, and which may fully deliver the mind of the Commander to the soldiers, which he hath in exercise. And as the words ought to be short, so ought they to be, Without double signification.] Where they have a double signification, that is, may be diversely understood by them, who are under direction; some of the soldiers (as Aelian saith) will do one thing, some another, which must needs breed a confusion in the body exercised. For as uniformity of motion in every particular soldier preserveth the whole body, and every joint, or part, thereof entire, so the dissimilitude of motion in the particulars induceth a disjointing, as it were, & a disorder of the multitude of the whole battle in general. To avoid then the inconvenience of double understanding in words: Aelian thinketh fit, that the special word should be placed before the general, and in stead of Face to the pike, he would have the Commander to pronounce thus: To the pike face (that is to the right hand:) holding the word right hand to be more special or straighter in signification, than the word Face. Let me have pardon if I differ from Aelian herein. For Logicians hold those words more general, that stretch unto, and comprehend under them most particulars. Now considering there are four motions of the battle, which cannot be put in use but by words of direction, and in the direction the word right or left hand is of necessity to be applied to every of them (as for example Countermarch to the right or left hand. Face to the right or left hand, and so of the rest:) it is evident, that the word right hand, or left hand is more general than any one of the motions, because it stretcheth to them all. So that albeit we retain the rule of Aelian, namely, to set the special before the general, yet may we very safely from his example, and not only in facing, but also in the three other motions pronounce the direction thus: Face to the right or left hand, Double to the right or left hand, Countermarch to the right or left hand, Wheel to the right or left hand: because the word right or left hand is more general, than any one of the motions. But admit it were more particular, yet the necessity of our language would force us to forsake this rule of Aelian. For in every language there is an idiom or propriety of speech, and that not only in the phrase itself, but also in the very joining & tying together of the words of the sentence. So that that which sorteth well with one language, will not be received in another. In Greek, in which tongue Aelian wrote, it soundeth well to place the noun governed by a verb, before the verb itself. So in Latin, Dutch, French, and other tongues. In English if a man should do the like (unless it were in verse, wherein the number of the feet is more respected than the ordering of the words) he should be accounted ridiculous or vain. For take the example here set down, to the right han● face, to the right hand double, or countermach, or wheel, and let us use the same order of words in common speech, and a man say to his servant: To the Church go, to the mill corn carry, boots clean make. To the cutler my rapier carry: Who would not laugh at his speech, or think him idle in so pronouncing. Wherefore albeit Aelian hold that form agreeable to the Greek tongue, yet I cannot see how it will be fit that our English, according to which I hold it better to pronounce after this manner: Face to right hand, Countermarch to the right hand, and so in the rest, then after this, To the right hand face, to the right hand countermarch; the rather because the property of speech availeth much to the capacity of soldiers, who for the most part are undearned, and will hardly understand, in case the wont custom, and ordinary use of joining words be inverted. CHAP. LIII. But above all things silence is to be commanded, and heed given to directions, as Homer especially signifieth in his description of the Craecian and Trojan fights, saying▪ The skilful Captains pressed on, guiding with careful eye Their armed troops, who followed their leaders silently; You surely would have deemed each one of all that mighty throng Had been bereft of speech, so bridled he his heedful tongue, Fearing the dread Commanders check and dreadful hests among: Thus marched the Greeks in silence, breathing flames of high desire And fervent Zeal to back their friends, on foes to wreak their ire. As for the disorder of the Barbarians he resembleth it to Birds, saying: As shoals of fowl, Geese, Cranes, and Swans with necks far stretched out, Which in the slimy fens Caisters winding streams about. Shear here and there the liquid sky, sporting on wanton wing, Then fall to ground with clanging noise, the fens all over ring. None otherwise the Troyans' fill the field with heaped sounds Of broken and confused cries, each where tumult abounds. And again: The Captain's marshal out their troops ranged in goodly guise, And forth the Troyans' pace like birds, that lad the air with cries, Not so the greeks, whose silence breathed flames of high desire, Fervent in zeal to back their friends, on foes to wreak their ire. NOTES. SIlence when a battle is put in order either for fight, or exercise, is one of the principal points of obedience, which belongeth to a soldier; the breach whereof more endangereth the proceeding of war, than a raw soldier would think, who only is wont to offend in that kind. I have before entreated of signs, and showed, that in the observing of directions consisteth the greatest help of victory; in neglecting them, the chiefest means to take an overthrow, and be defeated. For as directions being executed give life unto warlike actions to effect that which the Commander desireth, so whatsoever hindereth the receiving of directions, must needs cross the designs of the Commander, and by consequence frustrate and disannul that which was thought by him most fit to be put in practice either for the good order, or for the preservation of the Army, or else for the gaining of victory: A man that is not attentive cannot mark the command delivered: Nor can he be attentive, that whilst it is delivered busieth his head with other thoughts, or else entertaineth his next standers by with talk, a means to divert aswell the speaker as the hearer from that heed which ought to be given to direction; in as much as no man hath the ability to hear another man's speech, and himself take at the same instant, or at the same time to discern two men's several speeches, which are delivered together. All generals have held Silence a principal point of warlike discipline. And therefore in Commands they make it the first. Leos precept is this: When the troops are drawn together, and ordered for exercise, let the crier ●eo cap. 7. ●●●. (for every company had then a crier) give these directions: Do what you are commanded with silence; keep your places every man, follow your colours. And in another place he writeth thus: When your Army goeth out to join with the enemy, Leo c. 12. § 63. there ought to be a deep silence; For that both preserveth the Army from disorder, and also maketh the directions of the Commanders to be heard with more attention. And again thus: There aught to be as much silence as may be in the Army, and if Leo cap. 14. § 79. the bringers up of any file, hear but a whispering of their fellows in the file, they are to prick the parties with the points of their pikes, and so to redress the fault. Arrian li. 1. p. 6. D. Alexander when he was returning from the Country of the Taulantians, into which he had made an inroad, found his way beset with enemies, and being to cast his Army into a form of battle to fight, he first commanded Holi●shead 684. Col. §. ●. an absolute silence, and then proceeded to other directions. And for the effect of silence, our own story hath a memorable example of the Army of Edward the fourth in Barnet field. As for the silence here prescribed by Aelian, it extendeth not only to exercise and fight, but oftentimes to the marching of an Army, and to the Camp, as appeareth by the last example, and by Leos precept in his eleventh Leo cap. 11. §. 2●. Chapter. And yet this precept of silence is not inviolably to be kept in an Army at all times: for there is a time, when the Soldiers ought to give a general shout, and cry thorough the whole Army, to the end to terrify the adverse battle of the enemy; and that time hath always been chosen, and by all Nations observed, when the fight is presently to be undergone. I need not bring instances thereof, every man knoweth it, that is although but meanly acquainted with History. It is termed in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in Latin clamour. in English a shout of the whole Army; the which being performed, silence is to be restored in as strict manner a before. And thus much of silence. Now followeth the words of direction in Aelians' last Chapter. Of the words of direction. CHAP. LIIII. THus then are we to command. 1 To your arms. 2 Carriage away from the battle. 3 Be silent and mark your directions. 4 Take up your arms. 5 Separate yourselves. 6 Advance your Pikes. 7 File yourselves. 8 Rank yourselves. 9 Look to your leaders. 10 Reare-Commander strengthen your file. 11 Keep your first distances. 12 Face to the pike. Move a little further. Stand so. 13 As you were. 14 Face to the Target. Move a little further. Stand so. 15 As you were. 16 Face about to the pike. 17 As you were. 18 Double your depth. 19 To your first posture. 20 The Lacedaemonian Countermarch. 21 To your first posture. 22 The Macedonian Countermarch. 23 To your first posture. 24 The Choraean Countermarch. 25 To your first posture. The precepts of the art Tactics have I delivered unto you (most invincible Caesar) which I make no doubt, will bring to the practice safety, and victory over his enemies. NOTES. THese words of direction here set down, are rather to show the manner of Command, then to express the just number of directions Le● cap. 7. ●. 88 used in exercise: yet doth Leo the Emperor transcribe some of them, albeit not all, out of Aelian; and the last in Leo hath a mixture of two motions in one direction, being delivered in these words, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; which is in Latin translated by Sir john Check Laconicum ad hasta 〈…〉 trivolue; and may be thus englished, wheel thrice the Lacedaemonian Countermarch to the right hand; wherein there is both wheeling and the Lace emonian Countermarch commanded at once, a thing impossible to be performed. For as in wheeling, the whole battle remaineth entire, and moveth circlewise about the right ot left corner fileleader, as about a Centre; So in a Countermarch Lacedaemonian it is broken, and beginneth to move by several ranks, and continueth the motion in a direct line from the front to the rear, and not in a circle. But for the precepts of Aelian I purpose to explain only such as are used by the Soldiers and Commanders of our time: And after taking of arms I hold this to be the first, at lest when we begin to move. 6 Advance your Pikes. Pikes in ordering of a battle must be first advanced before any motion can be performed, in as much as all other postures of the Pike do hinder, or else are unfit for transmutations and variety of changes, and from advaneing the rest of pike-postures do spring. Ordering of the Pike was devised to ease the Soldier standing still; shouldering, to ease him in matching; advancing, to give facility to the other postures, and to finish them, because they both begin and end in it. 7 & 8. File and rank yourselves. It is needless to note, that no battle can be without filing and ranking. This we must understand, that the Captain is to see whether the Soldiers be filled and ranked; but the action itself pertaineth to the Soldiers, who knowing their files and ranks, are every man to take their place accordingly: for so ought it to be in true discipline of War. 9 Look to your Leader. The file-leader is the life, and giver of form unto the file. He is the life in that he moveth first, and draweth the rest unto the same motion; he giveth the form unto it, because it being nothing else but a right line, his standing, being the first point, directeth the rest to follow lineally one after another. In this precept therefore Look to your Leader two things are commanded, one that the rest of the file should observe to move and stand still, as he doth; the other, that they should maintain a straightness and rightness in length, which is the form of the file. 10 Reare-commander order your file. See Aelian ca 2●. In the Greek Edition of Aelian is read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, file-leader. But in a Manuscript, which I have seen, is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the bringer up or reare-commander, and so is it read in Leos Tactics; and I take it to be the true reading, Leo cap. 7. § 88 this command rather appertaining to the reare-Commander, then to the file-leader: for the file-leader being the foremost of the file, and bearing his face out of the front, how can he see whether the file that is behind him, be in right order or not. The bringer-up hath his face toward the whole file, as it standeth out before him: and therefore may easily discern if any man be in disorder, and reform them that are the cause of the disorder. In which respect it is evident, that he is fitter for the command, than the file-leader; which is the cause, that I have translated the word of direction, as before, Reare-commander order your file. 11 Keep your first distances. That is, stand in your open order. For in that distance is the exercise first legunne. It is a seemly thing to see an even proportion observed in the motion of See Aelian cap. 81. a battle, and to behold a direct space betwixt files and ranks. For that is the grace and beauty (as I may term it) of a Phalange ordered for fight. This proportion cannot be maintained without observing distance curiously. Open order is six foot both in rank and file betwixt man and man every way. If then any soldier in file gather up to his leader, and stand at distance of three foot, it is manifest, that his rank is thereby disturbed and made uneven, although the file continue straight. chose, if he bear himself out of his place, three foot toward either of his sidemen, by this means he disordereth his file and maketh it crooked. This fault if it were committed by many, a general disorder would follow in the body; and therefore Aelian well adviseth to keep the first distances especially till you be commanded to the second or third distance, which will often fall out in the four motions. Of which Facing is the first; and the words of Facing. 1 Motion. direction in it are these as before in Aelian. 12 Face to the Pike. See Aelian before cap. 25. That is, Face to the tied hand; For the pike was always borne in the right hand. 14 Face to the Target. The Pike-men in the Macedonian army bore targets on their left arms, or on the left side, so that facing to the target is all one with the word of command; Face to the left hand. 16 Face about to the pike or target. That is, face about to the right or left hand. But where he addeth [move a little further,] he signifieth that the direction is not fully accomplished, and he would have the soldiers continue their motion till their faces were fully come about to the rear; and then he willeth them to stand so, because they have gained their place. These face here expressed by Aelian, are of the whole body. Other face of the parts he hath not set down, which notwithstanding are oftentimes of great use. For say the enemy charge in front and rear; your front must continue as it did, but the word for the rear is: a The Amphostomus Phalange. Half files face about to the right or left hand. If the enemy charge you on both flanks, then is the word of command. b The Artistomus Phalange. Half ranks face to the right, halft to the left hand. If in front and one flank, the front standeth firm, and the word for the flank that is charged, is: Half ranks of the right (or left) flank, Face to the hand named. The Plesium. If in front and both flanks, the front is to stand firm, and both the flanks to face to the enemy. And this is done in a hollow square or Plesium, and the word is: Flanks face one to the right the other to the left hand. If on all sides or round about, it is as before for the flanks: but for the rear, The rear face about to the right or left hand. Now in Countermarch of the rear, the rank of fileleaders is oftentimes commanded to face about to the right or left hand; In countermarch of the front, the rank of bringers up must do the like, as we shall see in Countermarch. Doubling is the second motion used in battle, the precept Deubling▪ a Motion. of it in this in Aelian. 18 Double your depth. The word in our exercise for this motion is, Double your files; because See Aelian cap. files measure the depth of the battle, or ranks measure the length. This doubling is made many ways. The first is, when the even files (that is, the 2. 4. 6. 8. 10. file) fall into the odd; As if the doubling be to the right hand, the right hand corner-file standeth firm, and is the first after doubling; the third is the second file, the fifth the third, and so the rest of the odd files in order. But the manner is, that the leaders of the second file fall directly behind the leader of the first file, and the second man of the second file behind the second man of the first, and so the rest of those two files. The same order is for the rest of the even files, when they double the odd files. And the word is: Double your files to the right or left hand. Another manner is, when half the body of files conveys itself into the spaces o● the other half of the body; be it to the right or left hand according to direction given; so that the first rank of the half body, which is to move, falls into the space next after the first rank of the half body that standeth, and so the rest of the ranks of the half body that moveth, and the word is: Half the body double your files to the right or left hand. Another is, when files are doubled by a countermarch: As if the second file of the right or left hand (as it is appointed) countermarch, and the leader of that file place himself behind the bringer up of the corner file to that hand, to which the doubling is to be made; and so the rest of the files of even number, behind those of odd number; as the second behind the first, the fourth behind the third, the sixth behind the fifth, and so the rest. The word is: Double your files by countermarch to the right or left hand. The next word in Aelian is Double your length. That is, double your ranks, or front: (For as I before noted, the ranks make the length of the battle) which likewise is many ways done. The first is, when the ranks of even appellation, as the 2. 4. 6. 8. etc. fall out into the spaces of the odd, namely, into the spaces of the 1. 3. 5. 7. etc. which stand before them and place themselves even with them in rank. The word is: Double your ranks to the right or left hand. Another way is, when the bringers-up (their half files following them by countermarch) advance up to the front, and place themselves in the spaces betwixt the fileleaders to the hand appointed, and the rest of the ranks accordingly, namely, the ninth rank in the spaces of the second, the eight in the spaces of the third, the seventh in the fourth, the sixth in the spaces of the fifth. And the word is: Bringers up, double your front by countermarch to the right or left hand. Another is, when the reare-halfe-files, one half face to the right, the other to the left hand, and dividing themselves, march out till they be passed the flanks of the standing halfe-files: Then facing to the front, sleeve up and front with the standing halfe-files. Then the word is: Rear halfe-files, double your front by division to the right and left hand. Another way is, when the reare-halfe-files undivided, face to the hand appointed, and being beyond the flank of the rest of the body, face to the front and sleeve up, and join in front with the standing halfe-files. The word is: Reare-halfe-files, enter double your front to the right or left hand. It is to be observed, that in all these motions of doubling ranks or front, the soldiers are to return after their motion to their first posture; which is done by facing about to the right or left hand, and then by moving, and by recovering their first place. The word is: As you were. Countermarch is the third motion used in the change of a battle. The use and necessity thereof appeareth in Aelian before, and that there are two 3 Motion. kinds, one by file, the other by rank. The words of command that he here setteth down, are only of countermarch by file, which may be reduced to two kinds, viz. the Countermarch of the front and the Countermarch of the rear. That of the front hath likewise two kinds, the Lacedaemonian and the Chorean: That of the rear only one, and it is called the Macedonian Countermarch. Now Aelians' direction followeth. 20 The Lacedaemonian Countermarch. This is one of the Countermarches by file, and of the front. The manner is, that the fileleaders begin the Countermarch and pa●●e beyond the rear, their files following them. In our exercise the word is: Countermarch the front to the right, or to the left hand. It is done after another sort also, as when the bringers-up face about to the right or left hand, and then the whole body facing about to the same hand, pass thorough the spaces of the bringers up to the same hand and the ninth rank, beginning the rest of the ranks after one another's, place themselves every paticular man before his follower in the same file, till the fileleaders are first. The word is: Bringers up face to the right, or to the left hand. The rest beginning at the ninth rank, pass thorough to the same hand, and place every man himself before his follower. As you were. In Aelian followeth: 22 The Macedonian Countermarch. We in our exercise term this Countermarch of the rear, and it is done in two manners: First, when the bringers up begin the Countermarch, and their files following, pass thorough the spaces of the fileleaders, till the fileleaders become the last of the file, and then the whole body face about, and stand. The word is: Countermarch the rear to the right or left hand. Face about to the contrary hand, and stand. The other when the fileleaders face about to either hand, and the rest of the ranks beginning at the second rank, successively pass thorough the spaces of the file leaders to the hand appointed, placing themselves every man behind his next leader, and facing about as they did. The word is: Fileleaders, face about, the rest of the ranks pass thorough, and place yourselves behind your next leaders. The next in Aelian is: 24 The Chorean Countermarch. This Countermarch is of the front, as I said, but it keepeth the ground, that the body had before the fileleaders (their files following them) removed to the places of the bringers up, and the bringers up to the places that the fileleaders had. The word is: Fileleaders, countermarch to the right or left hand, and stand, viz. when they come to the bringers up. Other Countermarches thereare, which are not here set downeby Aelian, Aelian cap. 28. but are remembered in his Chapter of Countermarches; of which the countermarch by ranks of the whole battle is one, the other is the countermarch by ranks in the parts. And as in the Countermarch of the front or rear, the ranks first began to move, so in Countermarch of the flank, the files entire begin to move; and as in the Countermarch of the front or rear, the ranks followed one another by file, so in Countermarch of the flanks, the files follow one another by rank: that is, the soldiers of every rank follow one another. If you would countermarch the right flank, so to change one side of the battle for the other, the word is: Countermarch the right flank to the left hand. In countermarching the left flank, the word is; Countermarch the left flank to the right hand. To countermarch the wings into the midst, both the uttermost corner-files are to move toward the midst, their half ranks following them, and meeting in the midst to stand there, and face to the front; and the word is; Countermarch your wings into the midst of the battle. Observe, that in Countermarch by rank, the three Countermarches Macedonian, Lacedaemonian, and Choraean may be practised, as well as in Countermarch by file. If the flank nearest to the enemy begin the Countermarch, this the Macedonian countermarch, because it maketh a show of shifting away. If the flank furthest from the enemy begin, it is the Lacedaemonian, in that it carrieth a semblance of falling on. But when one flank countermarcheth, till it come just up to the other, and no further; it is the Choraean, because it keepeth the same ground. Wheeling is the fourth and last motion; and it is used in the whole entire The fourth Motion. battle, or in the parts thereof. Aelian giveth words of direction for the whole battle only, and they are these; Wheel the body to the Pike, or to the Target. When the battle is to wheel to the pike or right hand, the right hand corner file-leader is only to turn his body by little and little to the right hand, facing even with the rank of fileleaders, till such time as he have gained the right hand aspect; and the rest are to move about him, making him the center, as it were of their circled motion. If to the left hand, the left hand corner file leader is to do the like. The same order is of wheelin the battle about to the right or left hand. Aelian (as I ●ai●) giveth here no other words of command, then for the wheeling of the whole body, yet are the wheelings of the parts of great use; for either the flanks are wheeled into the front, or the front into the flanks. The front is wheeled into the flanks, when we desire to form the Antistomus Phalange to resist the enemy, giving on both flanks. And then the two middlemost bringers up are to stand, and the middle fileleaders to divined themselves, and to move half the battle to the right, half to the left hand, making those two bringers up the centre of the motion. In this the word is: Wheel the front into flanks by division. If the flanks be to be wheeled into the front, the two middle fileleaders are to stand still, and the two half bodies to move about them, one to the right hand, the other to the left, till the two flanks be in the front, and the front in the midst. This kind is practised when we would frame the Diphalange Antistomus. The word is: Wheel the flanks into the front. It is to be remembered, that after every motion a restitution to the first posture is to be commanded in these words; As you were. In facing you are to return to the contrary hand; as if the command were to face to the right, in returning you come to the left. In doubling you must do the like. In countermarch likewise, whether you countermarch the whole body, or the parcels thereof, you are to return by the contrary hand. After wheeling, there ought to be a facing to the same hand first before you return, and then a returning the contrary way about the same corner file-leader, about whom the motion was first made. This is to be understood of wheeling the whole body. In wheeling the front into the flanks, after wheeling performed, the body before returning is to face to the Commander, then to return about the same bringers up, till all come to be as they were. In wheeling the flanks into the front, after the wheeling is made, the body is to face likewise to the Commander, then facing about to the right or left hand to return to the first posture about the two middle fileleaders, as about their centre. Hic caestus artemque repone. FINIS. The Contents of the CHAPTERS of this BOOK. THE broad-fronted Phalange, the deep Phalange, or Hearse, and the un-even fronted-Phalange. Chapter 30 Parembole, Protaxis, Epitaxis, Prostaxis, Entaxis, and Hypotaxis. Chap. 31 The Use and advantage of these exercise of Arms. chap. 34 Of the signs of direction which are to be given to the Army, and of their several kinds. chap. 35 Of marching, and of the diverse kinds of Battles fit for a march. And first of the right Induction, of the Caelembolos, and of the Triphalange, to be opposed against it. chap. 36 Of the Paragoge or Deduction. chap. 37 Of the Phalange Amphistomus. chap. 38 Of the Phalange Antistomus. chap. 39 Of the Diphalange Antistomus. chap. 40 Of the Peristomus Diphalange. chap. 41 Of the Diphalange homoiostomus, and of the Plinthium. chap. 42 Of the Diphalange Heterostomus. chap. 43 Of the Horse rhomb, and of the Foot-halfe-Moone to encounter it: chap. 44 Of the Horsebattaile Heteromekes, and the Plagiophalange to be opposed against it. chap. 45 Of another kind of rhomb for Horsemen, and of the foot-battaile called Epicampios Emprosthia to encounter it. chap. 46 Of the Foot-battaile called Cyrte, which is to be set against the Epicampios. chap. 47 Of the Tetragonall Horsebattaile, and of the Wedge of Foot to be opposed against it. chap. 48 Of the Foot-battaile called Plesium, and of the Winding or Saw-fronted battle to encounter it. chap. 49 Of the Hyperphalangesis, and Hyperkerasis, and of Attenuation. chap. 50 Of conveying the carriage of the Army. chap. 51 Of the words of Command, and certain observations about them. chap. 52 Of the words of Direction. chap. 54 FINIS.