The typical 300 Spartans legend is not historically
accurate.

Although King Leonidas dismissed most of
his army,.. he kept a rear guard of approx. 1500,
Comprising 300 Spartans, and out of state
forces of 700 Thespians, 400 Thebians ...
Leonidas also had a few hundred Helotes
(armed slaves).


Originally Posted by billhilly
Romans...
Then there was the speed of their maneuvers. Using flags and whistles, they could rapidly redeploy their formations to address changes
on the battle field.


I've read a few in depth scholarly books on the
Roman military (and still in the middle of other
such books) covering the Monarchy, Republic
and Empire... I don't recall mentions of whistles
being employed by them.

Archeologically, I don't know of whistles being
found at Roman fortresses or battle sites..
Whistles have [rarely] been found, (Regensburg)
but only in the area of the legionary fortress.

I also do not know of any surviving written evidence
for whistles being used by Roman soldiers.

-Bulletproof and Waterproof don't mean Idiotproof.