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Quote from: Justin Swanton on November 13, 2024, 11:39:33 AMTwo years is long enough to get some decent drill under one's belt. The Gauls may have been mercenaries rather like the Spanish, prepared to fight Rome anywhere rather than submit to it.

The Gauls don't need to go to Africa to fight the Romans, because they were already fighting the Romans and would for some years.

Quote from: Monad on November 13, 2024, 12:16:38 PM

Quote from: Justin Swanton on November 13, 2024, 11:39:33 AMTwo years is long enough to get some decent drill under one's belt. The Gauls may have been mercenaries rather like the Spanish, prepared to fight Rome anywhere rather than submit to it.

The Gauls don't need to go to Africa to fight the Romans, because they were already fighting the Romans and would for some years.

Not in Italy. By that time the Romans had conquered Cisalpine Gaul and any Gauls who didn't want to submit to Rome had to get out.

Quote from: Justin Swanton on November 13, 2024, 12:46:08 PM

Quote from: Monad on November 13, 2024, 12:16:38 PM

Quote from: Justin Swanton on November 13, 2024, 11:39:33 AMTwo years is long enough to get some decent drill under one's belt. The Gauls may have been mercenaries rather like the Spanish, prepared to fight Rome anywhere rather than submit to it.

The Gauls don't need to go to Africa to fight the Romans, because they were already fighting the Romans and would for some years.

Not in Italy. By that time the Romans had conquered Cisalpine Gaul and any Gauls who didn't want to submit to Rome had to get out.

Although some changed their allegiance once Hannibal had arrived and demonstrated what he could do. 

Quote from: Denis Grey on November 13, 2024, 01:08:58 PM

Quote from: Justin Swanton on November 13, 2024, 12:46:08 PM

Quote from: Monad on November 13, 2024, 12:16:38 PM

Quote from: Justin Swanton on November 13, 2024, 11:39:33 AMTwo years is long enough to get some decent drill under one's belt. The Gauls may have been mercenaries rather like the Spanish, prepared to fight Rome anywhere rather than submit to it.

The Gauls don't need to go to Africa to fight the Romans, because they were already fighting the Romans and would for some years.

Not in Italy. By that time the Romans had conquered Cisalpine Gaul and any Gauls who didn't want to submit to Rome had to get out.

Although some changed their allegiance once Hannibal had arrived and demonstrated what he could do. 

That's earlier. By 205BC the Romans had re-established control over northern Italy. Hannibal was rotting the south and could do nothing about it.

Paddy Griffiths "The Viking Art of War" examines some of the detailed mechanisms used by irregular troop types, particularly the role played by berserks and other highly motivated individuals.

It may be useful to this discussion.