From: Nick Brooke (100270.337@CompuServe.COM)
Date: Thu 23 Jun 1994 - 00:17:04 EEST
> Then, of course, there is the heroic mob of the Germanics and the
> medievals. I wonder how they would have done against a disciplined,
> well-ordered legion.
In what way does this mediaeval, Germanic heroic mob differ from the late Iron Age Celtic and Germanic heroic mobs the Romans faced frequently? The battle of the Allia springs to mind:
: The main body of the army, at the first sound of the Gallic war-cry on : their flank and in their rear, hardly waited even to see their strange : enemy from the ends of the earth; they made no attempt at resistance; : they had not courage even to answer his shouted challenge, but fled : before they had lost a single man. (Livy, V.38)
Bugger legions: heroic mobs are clearly the way forward! Granted, that was against pre-Marian legions who were labouring under a curse or two -- not that that would make a difference to twentieth century South Californians (the closest cultural analogue I can imagine for 4th century BC Romans).
You could also read Caesar's 'Gallic War': while he won in the end, the Romans lost several times, notably in Britain against our home-grown heroic mob (with chariots!). Also, what on earth happened to general Varus in the Teutobergerwald, in your version of events? Three whole legions, gone!
A final note: the late Roman army was pretty much a Germanic warband, while I believe prominent members of early Germanic warbands were, by and large, recently discharged from the Roman army...
> I think the hobby is really bad about drawing in women, with its often
> exploitive cover art...
I felt that the cover of the German-language edition of 'Apple Lane' was a thrilling advertisement for all that's best about Glorantha: mighty-thewed barbarians, large-breasted women, careering chariots... shame it had sweet fuck all to do with the product. Where is Wilm when we need him?
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