Editing Testudo formation (section)

== Formation ==

In the ''testudo'' formation, the men would align their shields to form a packed formation covered with shields on the front and top.<ref name=":0" /> The first row of men, possibly excluding the men on the flanks, would hold their shields from about the height of their shins to their eyes, so as to cover the formation's front. The shields would be held in such a way that they presented a shield wall to all sides. The men in the back ranks would place their shields over their heads to protect the formation from above, balancing the shields on their helmets, overlapping them. If necessary, the legionaries on the sides and rear of the formation could stand sideways or backwards with shields held as the front rows, so as to protect the formation's sides and rear; this reduced the speed and mobility of the formation, but offered consistent defensive strength against opposing infantry and excellent protection against arrows and other missile attacks.

[[Plutarch]] describes this formation as used by [[Mark Antony]] during [[Antony's Atropatene campaign|his invasion of Parthia]] in 36 BC:

{{blockquote|Then the shield-bearers wheeled round and enclosed the light-armed troops within their ranks, dropped down to one knee, and held their shields out as a defensive barrier. The men behind them held their shields over the heads of the first rank, while the third rank did the same for the second rank. The resulting shape, which is a remarkable sight, looks very like a roof, and is the surest protection against arrows, which just glance off it.<ref>Plutarch: ''Antony'', c. 45, quoted in ''Plutarch, Roman Lives'', ed. Robin Waterfield {{ISBN|978-0-19-282502-5}}</ref>}}

[[Cassius Dio]] writes about the ''testudo'' when describing the campaign of Mark Antony in 36 BC:

{{blockquote|This testudo and the way in which it is formed are as follows. The Baggage animals, the light-armed troops, and the cavalry are placed in the center of the army. The heavy-armed troops who use the oblong, curved, cylindrical shields are drawn up around the outside, making a rectangular figure, and, facing outward and holding their arms at the ready, they enclose the rest. The others, who have flat shields, form a compact body in the center and raise their shields over the heads of all the others so that nothing but shields can be seen in every part of the [[phalanx]] alike and all the men by the density of the formation are under shelter from missiles. Indeed, it is so marvelously strong that men can walk upon it and whenever they come to a narrow ravine, even horses and vehicles can be driven over it.}}