“What would you do ?” used to figure on the cover of a boys’ comic called “Boys’ World”. This was a publication, obviously, aimed at boys, and first appeared on January 26th 1963. There were 89 issues before the comic was merged with Eagle in 1964. The last issue of “Boys’ World” came out on October 3rd 1964.
I used to buy “Boys’ World”, and this was mainly for the front cover which always featured a kind of puzzle. It was called “What would you do ?” and was based on somebody being in what Ned Flanders would call “A dilly of a pickle”. Here’s the situation:
And the yellow box said:
The Roman army, then is being driven back time after time from the gates because of the missiles the defenders are throwing. How can the Romans get in, when they are directly underneath the defenders’ missiles?
And, the correct solution given on page 18 of the comic is:
Quite simple, really, I suppose. The old “testudo”, used only when needed, was a standard formation of the Roman army:
John Knifton 
Now why didn’t I think of that?
Well, Derrick, you said that ” they used a wheeled shelter of some sort” which is not a million miles from the correct answer. I would count that as a (minor) prize.
🙂 I’ll take that. Thanks, John
My pleasure, Derrick!
Did i win a star?
Sent from Allen’s iPad
>
You mentioned “a technique which involved interlocking their shields into what was called a testudo” in your suggested remedy. That’s not just a star but a promotion to centurion in the Fourteenth Legion!
If I were a Centurion in the 14th Legion, I would be using one of the battering rams described at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battering_ram. The testudo works great for lighter doors, but those of castles and forts need something a little heavier. There is also the issue of what happens when the defenders drop heavy rocks or dump boiling water or oil down on the testudo. The legionnaires tend to get a bit testy about such things and have a difficult time maintaining the testudo.
Carry on in this vein, and you’ll be an officer before long!!
Does that mean, John, that I will be forced to move to Rome?
No, you will be Governor of Seattle.
That was a great plan for a way-back war.
The Romans, I suppose, were very cunning and very disciplined, a combination which allowed them to achieve a lot with say, fifty or a hundred men. Many of their opponents were just a ferocious mob who attacked en masse, and tried to win the battle by weight of numbers.
I wonder how they moved if they had to stand so close to each other?
21 Battle Formations used in the Mahabharata War – With Detaile…
sharathkomarraju.com/battle-formations-mahabharata-war/
I got the answer right last post!!! Do I win a prize???
Well, the job of Empress of Rome is vacant, although it does carry its risks!
Hmmm … I’ll have to discuss this offer with my advisors and get back to you. Empress. I like the sound of that.
The next rank above Empress is “Goddess” I believe.
OOOOOOOO Now that sounds even better. I’ll take it, John!! YIPPEEEEE!! HAPPY DANCE!! I so got this!! See what happens when come here? I get elevated to Goddess status. WHAHOO!! 😂
The photo of the “testudo” brought to mind the film “300” (USA 2006) in which 300 Spartans used a similar strategy in a battle against the invading Persian army.
Yes, it’s definitely a tried and tested method, although as Allen Gray says above, “heavy rocks or dump boiling water or oil” all contribute to spoil things on occasion for the soldiers in the testudo.
🙂
A bit of an easy one that but then again. Last night I was watching ‘The Chase’ and a contestant thought that the Battle of Hastings was in 1866. DOH!
For sheer brain power one of the best things I have seen recently was Vardy v Rooney with the footballers’ wives. Rebeccs Vardy even got the whole court laughing at her with one particularly stupid remark.
They take stupidness to the next level.
Thank you for sharing!!.. it is too bad that mankind doesn’t use that battle field ingenuity to defend peace… 🙂
Until we meet again..
May your troubles be less
Your blessings be more
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door
(Irish Saying)
Can you imagine? If all the thought given to killing was given to not killing, what a world we might hve?
We’ll I think I qualify for some sort of status too, even if it’s assistant leather sandal polisher! I await my orders my liege.
After your lifetime in education, you are dubbed “Gladiator Coach specialising in Close Combat” for the rest of your days.
Thank you John it’s a great honour!