09-29-2014, 03:49 PM
Polybius' four infantry classes:
"When they come to the rendezvous, they choose the youngest and poorest to form the velites; the next to them are made hastati; those in the prime of life principes; and the oldest of all triarii, these being the names among the Romans of the four classes in each legion distinct in age and equipment. "
(Pol Hist, 6, 21.7)
The maniples and centurions:
"From each of the classes except the youngest they elect ten centurions according to merit, and then they elect a second ten. All these are called centurions, and the first man elected has a seat in the military council. The centurions then appoint an equal number of rearguard officers (optiones). Next, in conjunction with the centurions, they divide each class into ten companies, except the velites, and assign to each company two centurions and two optiones from among the elected officers. The velites are divided equally among all the companies; these companies are called ordines or manipuli or vexilla, and their officers are called centurions or ordinum ductores."
(6, 24.1-5)
Online Loeb translation of Polybius
The velites aren't placed into their own maniples, they are put into the line infantry's maniples. Therefore, they don't have their own officers, they fall under the command of the centurions of the hastati, principe, and triari. 30 maniples, 60 centurions, not 40/80.
"When they come to the rendezvous, they choose the youngest and poorest to form the velites; the next to them are made hastati; those in the prime of life principes; and the oldest of all triarii, these being the names among the Romans of the four classes in each legion distinct in age and equipment. "
(Pol Hist, 6, 21.7)
The maniples and centurions:
"From each of the classes except the youngest they elect ten centurions according to merit, and then they elect a second ten. All these are called centurions, and the first man elected has a seat in the military council. The centurions then appoint an equal number of rearguard officers (optiones). Next, in conjunction with the centurions, they divide each class into ten companies, except the velites, and assign to each company two centurions and two optiones from among the elected officers. The velites are divided equally among all the companies; these companies are called ordines or manipuli or vexilla, and their officers are called centurions or ordinum ductores."
(6, 24.1-5)
Online Loeb translation of Polybius
The velites aren't placed into their own maniples, they are put into the line infantry's maniples. Therefore, they don't have their own officers, they fall under the command of the centurions of the hastati, principe, and triari. 30 maniples, 60 centurions, not 40/80.
