Hannibal's Libyan Infantry

[Al Amos]

By the way. For anyone wanting to build phalanx subunits of different strengths the following may be helpful.

One hex = 20 meters, if you put 16 files in a hex that leaves each man 1.25 meters to move around in. This is in the range that I've seen in different sources for the interval per man. So....

16 files x 4 ranks = 64
16 files x 6 ranks = 96
16 files x 8 ranks = 128
16 files x 10 ranks = 160
16 files x 12 ranks = 192
16 files x 14 ranks = 224
16 files x 16 ranks = 256

A Roman century would be

10 files x 6 ranks = 60 or,
10 files x 8 ranks = 80

A maniple could be with centuries side by side, or one behind the other. If side by side, the maniple could occupy two of our hexes, or the interval may be reduced to 1 meter per man, and then it would be

20 files x 6 ranks = 120 or,
20 files x 8 ranks = 160

If the centuries went one behind the other then it would be

10 files x 12 = 120 or,
10 files x 16 = 160

NOTE: In the rules, Paul has set the troops per rank for HI, MI at 24 (.83 meters per man.)

As an aside, I think at Cannae the Romans formed up with centuries one behind the other, THEN, the intervals were closed up, so in our games it would end up being two maniples in each hex

20 files x 16 = 320.

Wow! That post just wandered around, didn't it? Too much Mountain Dew today during work! hehehe...