12-02-2015, 04:20 PM
There are reference's within Caesar's works to troops being employed in the 'expediti' role, so yes, it did happen long before Ammianus wrote his history.
There appears to have been an upsurge in wealth during the joint reigns of Valentinian and Valens. They were able to start the Mile Fort system of defences along the south banks of the Rhine and Danube. Major works such as the Valens aqueduct were built taking water to Constantinople. Gold mining was at its peak, large estates flourished in North Africa plus other examples. This was in part due to more stable situation the Empire found itself in from 364 to 376, which allowed Valentinian to increase the size of the army, introduce 'new kinds of arms' and undertake building programs that took years to complete.
There appears to have been an upsurge in wealth during the joint reigns of Valentinian and Valens. They were able to start the Mile Fort system of defences along the south banks of the Rhine and Danube. Major works such as the Valens aqueduct were built taking water to Constantinople. Gold mining was at its peak, large estates flourished in North Africa plus other examples. This was in part due to more stable situation the Empire found itself in from 364 to 376, which allowed Valentinian to increase the size of the army, introduce 'new kinds of arms' and undertake building programs that took years to complete.
Adrian Coombs-Hoar
