Most Society of Ancients opinions regarding troop types-conter around the differences between "regular" and "Irregular" units and ignore the aspect of Professionalism. This factor, in my opinion, had had more to do with troop capabilities than cultural background.

First, for the purposes of this article, let me define the difference between the professional and ameteur soldier. The professional was an experienced veteran who due to disinclination or economic or political conditions was not willing or able to return to civilian life. The amateur, while he may have been drilled and able to respond to formal commands, was essentially a civilian who looked forward to civilian life at the end of a short campaign.

The difference in performance was not a matter of morale. Although the professional usually had good morale as long as he was well fed and paid.) The citizen soldier often had better morale than contemporary professionals and yet was less effective. Witness the uncomprimising Roman soldier of 214 BC compared to Hannibal's veterans.

The real difference between the professional and amateur was the superior maneuverability of the former. The professional know what was expected of him by long experience and was able to carry out his generals commands quickly and efficiently under battlefield conditions. A soldier that had received formal training was more effective than his "irregular" counterpart.

The amateur Legionaries at Cannae were capable of little more than formal movement. As soon as their flank support was removed they were helpless before the elaborate double envelopment carried out by the Punic professionals.