There are seven specific instructions by Vegetius regarding the layout before battle.
1. One level ground, the force in drawn up with a center, with two wings and reserves in the rear. The wings and the reserves must be strong enough to prevent an eveloping or outflanking maneuver.
2. An oblique battle line with the left wing held back in a defensive position while the right wing advances to turn the opponents left flank. Opposition to this move is to strengthen your left wing with cavalry and reserves, but if both sides are successful then the battle front would tend to move in a counterclockwise direction, the effect of which qould vary with the nature of the ground. The left wing should be stabalized the the right wing should have unimpeded movement.
"Roman Army Tactics." The Roman Empire. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. http://www.roman-empire.net/army/tactics.html.
Layout Before Battle. Digital image. Museum of London. Web. 6 Apr. 2010. http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/learning/features_facts/digging/army/images/large_ermine_street_guard.jpg.
