Caesar's Legions: Where Size Makes A Difference

Moving in the World of Caesar

Column To Line

When marching the legion would normally march in columns. If the legion deployed to the front it would form a line in stages coming off column. Here we see the two legions side by side. One in loose order and the other in close order. This was done normally when there was no threat from the enemy.

The legions deploy from column into line in progression. First the lead cohorts deploy into line. These cohorts form the first line of battle; acies simplex.



The second line now finishes its deployment behind the first line; acies duplex or line two.

Finally the third section of the column now begins deployment behind the second. This creates what Caesar calls acies triplex.

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