08-26-2012, 09:05 PM
Quote:Is this also the reason that we keep looking for the battle site near a Roman Road?Most battlefields in England, Wales, and southern Scotland in the post-Roman period are on or near Roman roads; it is not until the Civil Wars that this really starts to change (much on this in my forthcoming book :-D ).
Quote:We'd need a latinist to tell us whether vexillariis were always veterans, or could just be soldiers detached under a vexillum.Well, this archaeologist can tell you that any detachment marching under a vexillum tends to be known as a vexillatio. I suspect you may be thinking of evocati, who are a whole different kettle of fish (but could still be a vexillatio). The detachments of legionaries at Corbridge were vexillationes from two legions and make the point nicely by depicting their vexillus (sic!).
Mike Bishop