Photo Story: Bellum Romana

This is a basic demonstration of how a Roman column works. Note that this is only one column. In reality there would be multiple columns standing and moving in a tight formation. So if you're wondering why the Decepticons don't just try to outflank the Autobots, it's because there would be multiple columns working in sync as seen here.

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The soldiers in the front row have their shields raised and jab forwards with their swords to attack and kill the enemy. Swoop is currently at the head of this column.

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After 6 minutes the commander (Jazz) will sound an alert (Romans would've used a whistle)

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At the sound of the alert, every soldier at the front row moves to the rear. Every soldier on the second row now advances to the front and so on.

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The new soldier at the front (in this column it's Slag) fights with new energy, while the exhausted soldier who is now at the rear (Swoop) gets to recover for about 42 minutes before he is at the front again.

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6 minutes later this process is repeated.
Fireflight has advanced to the front row while the exhausted Swoop and Slag now stand at the rear recovering their strength.

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6 minutes later the process repeats again.

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...and again...

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This tactic ensures that no warrior will fight for any longer than 6 minutes, and in turn will spend over 40 minutes resting.

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A 6 minute burst of intense combat followed by over forty minutes of recovery

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If a soldier at the front row should fall, the next soldier will take his place at full strength. A reserve soldier, also at full strength, joins the rear to maintain the 8-man column.

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And thus the process continues. 38 minutes have passed since Swoop was at the front row and he has now fully recovered his strength, ready to relieve Grimlock in a few minutes' time.