11-20-2002, 09:30 AM
Salve,<br>
<br>
Note that the terms of <em>foedus</em> and <em>foederati</em> did exist at the time and were used by contemporary authors, but that modern historiography usually reserves the latter word for late Roman allied forces. Modern works tend to use a more standardised vocabulary because it suits our modern way of thinking and love of narrow classification, using <em>socii</em> for the republican period, <em>auxilia</em> for the early imperial era and <em>foederati</em> for later centuries when such terms were used in Antiquity throughout the entire period. Saddington provides an overview of the varied vocabulary employed for the various auxiliary forces.<br>
<br>
The auxiliary forces of the Roman army comprised a variety of regular and irregular formations, some serving only for the duration of a (set of) campaigns, others for prolonged periods. The rank and file of regular auxiliary units seem at first not to have had a fixed length of duty, often literally enlisting for life. Even after the term was nominally set at twenty five years, auxiliary soldiers were regularly serving beyond that period, either voluntarily in hope of further promotion or forced to do so.<br>
<br>
Saddington, D.B., <em>The development of the Roman auxiliary forces from Caesar to Vespasian</em> (Harare 1982).<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Note that the terms of <em>foedus</em> and <em>foederati</em> did exist at the time and were used by contemporary authors, but that modern historiography usually reserves the latter word for late Roman allied forces. Modern works tend to use a more standardised vocabulary because it suits our modern way of thinking and love of narrow classification, using <em>socii</em> for the republican period, <em>auxilia</em> for the early imperial era and <em>foederati</em> for later centuries when such terms were used in Antiquity throughout the entire period. Saddington provides an overview of the varied vocabulary employed for the various auxiliary forces.<br>
<br>
The auxiliary forces of the Roman army comprised a variety of regular and irregular formations, some serving only for the duration of a (set of) campaigns, others for prolonged periods. The rank and file of regular auxiliary units seem at first not to have had a fixed length of duty, often literally enlisting for life. Even after the term was nominally set at twenty five years, auxiliary soldiers were regularly serving beyond that period, either voluntarily in hope of further promotion or forced to do so.<br>
<br>
Saddington, D.B., <em>The development of the Roman auxiliary forces from Caesar to Vespasian</em> (Harare 1982).<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i></i>
