I'm reading Adrian Goldsworthy's 'The Fall of Carthage' and came across something interesting. He mentions in his section at the start on the Roman army that some commentators have said that the hastati withdrew and were replaced by the principes if the hastati were finding the fighting too difficult. And some people have dismissed this. But later, in his section on fighting in the 3rd century BC, he mentions that in fact fighting would tend to last anywhere up to 15 minutes before the rival sections split off to rest and recover, due to the immense physical and emotional exertion. Then, some time later, they would move forward again for another bout (and so on until one side one or the battle broke off).
Isn't it conceivable though that this is the point were the principes would move forward? The Roman army had lots of officers, so they could signal back or send a runner or something, asking for the principes to move forward. Then, once the principes had moved between the gaps in the line, the hastati could retreat.
This way the front units of the enemy army would be fighting 5-15 minute (approx.) bouts, resting, then going at it again with some Roman unit. The enemy would have a little rest, but the Roman units they were fighting would be fresh. Principes could move in, fight a bout or two, then the hastati could move in again for another bout or two, having had a good 45 minute break and maybe a quick snack. This form of line replacement could go on for a while, keeping the Roman front line fairly fresh and allowing moral to stay stable and not suffer due to exhaustion. Meanwhile, the enemy would be exhausted and would start to fall apart (in theory).
Thoughts?
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