"Флавий Арриан. Диспозиция против аланов " - читать интересную книгу автора

The summary.

Nefiodkin A.K. Arrian's campaign against the Alans' foray in Cappadocia
in 135 AD.

The publication is a first scientific translation from ancient Greek
into Russian the Dispositions against the Alans of famous historian Arrian.
The translation is made practically literal. It pays a special attention to
the military terminology.

In the end of the 135 AD, the Alans invaded the Transcaucasia and
penetrated up to Cappadocia. For repulse of the invasion, the governor of
the Roman province Arrian collected about 18000 soldiers and, probably, came
to meet the Alans. The frightened nomads did not take a fight and retreated.
This work of Arrian arose from the expidition against the Alans.

The work according to the context is divided into the four parts. In
the first part ( 1-10) the Roman army going in march column of the length
more of 10 km is shown. Arrian was careful not to be attack in the front,
and so he stationed in the front rank the bowmen and the train behind the
troops. The second part of the work ( 11) tells us about a preparation of
array. The third part ( 12-24) describes a disposition of the army. The
formation was form up on a valley bordered by heights. On the latter the
archers and javeliners, covering the heavy-armed infantrymen were placed,
whereas two legions were in the centre of the array. A legionary was armed
with kontus (heavy pilum) or lancea. Thus, it is obviously, the weapon of
the legionary was usual in this time. The formation of the Arrian's army was
the typical Roman one: the legions in the centre, the auxilia on the flanks.
The commander understood his horsemen cannot resist the Alans, rider from
the childhood, neither on number, nor on quality, therefore he correctly
placed his hors behind the foot. The general with the reserve stood behind
the centre of battle-formation. The fourth part of the work ( 25-31) shows
us the possible description of a future battle. According to it, Arrian was
as opponents the Sarmatian mounted lancers, mainly, without armour. To
assume the Sarmatian charged in this case by wedge is unfounded. The general
recommends to approach the enemies on the range of bow shot and then to
deafen them with the war-cry and, at the same time, to throw them a volume
of missiles. It might exert a psychological influence on the opponents and
to force to retreat them. However, Arrian also assumes other variant, i.e.
the Alans nevertheless will approach the foot formation. In this case he
recommends the latter to be close and to receive the enemy with the wall of
shields: just this way an infantry usually repulse a charge of cavalry. Then
the nomads should take to flight. Arrian assumes to pursue the opponents by
the light horsemen of cohorts which will reach forward through the opened
infantry. The fight of the hors should be covering fire by light-armed
footmen. The general is afraid of recommence of the flight attack, therefore
he orders the legions fast to come, in case of need, again to withdraw them
in front. So, in the work Arrian confirms his reputation of the professional
soldier, showing itself as a military expert of close co-ordinated action of