09-25-2008, 01:20 AM
Quote:I disagree as well. Sounds like a bit too much supposition without strategic grounds. 1000 is a much better number in some ways. The times necessitated a smaller, faster, more mobile fighting force that could deal with a larger variety of situations than just the previous large scale invasions. It also meant you could forage and lodge locally without being as much a drain on provisions and the surrounding provinces. The Huns and the Mongols did this well by dividing into smaller groups that can handle most situations that could raid, scout, spy, forage, move more stealthily and with excellent communication the groups had a lot of play as far as strategy goes. Any large enemy force will move slow enough the unit could attack supply lines, act as diversion, play hit and run warfare, or unite with other groups for a mass battle. 1000 is a more than sufficient number in most cases without being unwieldy or draining and if the situation calls for it more forces can be combined. I have a hard time believing these leaders were as undisciplined and poorly trained as Goldsworthy claims, especially after reading military treatises of the time. Perhaps its another common case of overly idealizing the previous systems.
Either you missed my point or I stated it poorly. I did not say 1000 men from a large scale principate legion would be better than 1000 man legion of the late Empire.
The point made was that smaller legions made legions less effective in large scale battles such as Adrianople. In the Principate the Roman forces would have amounted to 2 legions plus some auxillarly forces. In the late period 14,000 men amounts to over a dozen independent legions not used to working together.
Basically by becoming specialized in small unit combat you lose some effectiveness in very large number combat.
Look at it this way. Spend all your time playing heads up poker. Then go sit at a table with 9 other players. Things are very different and it takes different skills for each one.
The problem is that losing the large scale battle can hurt you a whole lot more than a small battle. The advantage is obviously that smaller units can travel easier, take less logistics, can catch fast moving raiders, and are less of a threat if they support a rival who wants to claim the throne.
Timothy Hanna
