All of Vegetius' battle tactics all have the same purpose, that of breaking the enemy battle line. If a flank can be turned, then the strong center has to fight on two fronts or is forced to fight in a restricted place. Once this advantage is gained, it is very difficult to right the situation. Even in the highly trained Roman army it would have been difficult to change tactics during the course of a battle and the only units which can be successfully deployed are those in the reserves or the part of the line not yet engaged. That makes the most important decision a general has to make the disposition of his troops.
"Roman Army Tactics." The Roman Empire. Web. 23 Mar. 2010.
http://www.roman-empire.net/army/tactics.html.
Line. Digital image. Wikimedia Commons. Web. 8 Apr. 2010.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Line.PNGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Line.PNG.
