Row 313

Row ID: 313 | Dataset Entry | Axioma AXP Content Repository

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I've been researching a lot of ancient battles, and am confused as to why many classical commanders levy a large host of troops, who in battle are almost never used and simply run away if the situation turns for the worst. What is the purpose of raising a large conscript army if their fighting power is close to nill?

The amount of resources needed to shelter, feed, or even pay the conscripts hardly seems worth it if they are never even utilized. Supplying proper weapons is also very expensive, so the untrained mob would most likely be given pointy sticks and a tunic, lowering their relative combat power even further. If they were organized into spear formations it might make sense, but most spear formations were formed from well trained standing armies or indoctrinated militia (like phalanxes). Plus, troops have to be sent to round up, herd, and then "inspire" the troops to fight.

Poorly trained units are fodder for cavalry, break instantly on contact with trained troops and can't follow orders. If poorly armed, they can't even hold their own against enemy conscripts either. Conscripts are notoriously bad at building siege equipment or any defenses more complicated than a ditch as well.

What is the point of gathering them anyways?

FieldValue
text I've been researching a lot of ancient battles, and am confused as to why many classical commanders levy a large host of troops, who in battle are almost never used and simply run away if the situation turns for the worst. What is the purpose of raising a large conscript army if their fighting power is close to nill? The amount of resources needed to shelter, feed, or even pay the conscripts hardly seems worth it if they are never even utilized. Supplying proper weapons is also very expensive, …
label r/militarystrategy
dataType post
communityName r/MilitaryStrategy
datetime 2020-01-13
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Raw Record

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  "text": "I've been researching a lot of ancient battles, and am confused as to why many classical commanders levy a large host of troops, who in battle are almost never used and simply run away if the situation turns for the worst. What is the purpose of raising a large conscript army if their fighting power is close to nill?\n\nThe amount of resources needed to shelter, feed, or even pay the conscripts hardly seems worth it if they are never even utilized. Supplying proper weapons is also very expensive, so the untrained mob would most likely be given pointy sticks and a tunic, lowering their relative combat power even further. If they were organized into spear formations it might make sense, but most spear formations were formed from well trained standing armies or indoctrinated militia (like phalanxes). Plus, troops have to be sent to round up, herd, and then \"inspire\" the troops to fight.\n\nPoorly trained units are fodder for cavalry, break instantly on contact with trained troops and can't follow orders. If poorly armed, they can't even hold their own against enemy conscripts either. Conscripts are notoriously bad at building siege equipment or any defenses more complicated than a ditch as well.\n\n What is the point of gathering them anyways?",
  "label": "r/militarystrategy",
  "dataType": "post",
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  "datetime": "2020-01-13",
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