Research Case: Why Could the Roman Army Combine Orders from the Supreme Commander with Autonomous Judgment by Field Commanders?

A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 7 1. Question In Livy’s History of Rome from its Foundation, Book VII, the Roman army did not operate only through strict centralized command. The consul held supreme command and final responsibility for: At the same time, military tribunes and centurions could make local decisions … Read more

Research Case: Why Was Decius’s Small Detachment Able to Play a Decisive Role in Saving the Entire Roman Army?

A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 7 1. Question In Livy’s History of Rome from its Foundation, Book VII, the Roman army led by the consul Aulus Cornelius entered a dangerous position in mountainous Samnite territory. The Roman army was large, but it could no longer use its strength effectively. It … Read more

Research Case: Why Did Cornelius’s Army Face the Risk of Total Destruction in the Mountains?

A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 7 1. Question In Livy’s History of Rome from its Foundation, Book VII, the Roman army led by the consul Aulus Cornelius entered a serious crisis in mountainous Samnite territory. The important point is that the crisis did not begin because the Romans had already … Read more