Myke, what would be the command for a company of Roman Legionnaires (100 strong, five rows deep) to turn and face an enemy behind them? And how would they execute it? Just raise spears, swivel in place, and about-face?

Myke Cole First off, a “Polybian” Roman century (what you’re describing - and it would probably be under 100 men) would only be armed with spears with it were in a maniple of triarii. If it were a century of hastati or principes, they would be armed with swords and javelins.

If you’re asking me for the voice command given for “above face,” then the answer is “I don’t know.” It’s possible I’m missing something, but I’m not aware of a source that gives that specific verbal command for the legion in the period I’ve studied (3rd-2nd C. BC). If others are familiar with a primary source which gives this language, please provide it here in the comments and accept my thanks in advance.

I’m aware of reenactment groups that have Latin commands for about face, but I don’t know their sourcing, or if they’re just translating English into Classical Latin. I do know that they are reenacting *imperial* legions, which are hundreds of years later than the Polybian legions I study.

Sorry, I know this doesn’t answer your question, but hopefully it illustrates a few things:

1.) Historians know more and more about less and less, and it’s critical to ask questions narrowly - specifying period, region and even the part of a unit in order to get a decent answer.

2.) All answers to all questions have to be sourced, or else they are speculation (they are usually speculation even when they are sourced.

3.) All purported experts, even professionals (I claim to be neither), must be willing to say “I don’t know,” at any time, and to invite others to correct/help them. If you lay claim to expertise you don’t actually possess, sooner or later, someone is going to gut you in public.

Wish I could be more helpful! Best of luck finding your answer!

flag