The Frontage of the Roman Army at Cannae

[Monad]

My personal opinion is that the Romans fought in a completely standardised manner and tactics, which is one reason it often didn't matter who was notionally in charge! 

Hello Mark, long time no hear. Hope all is well. If the Romans did deploy in "a complete standardised manner" this cancels out Polybius' comment (3 113) "placing the maniples closer together than was formerly the usage " irrelevant.