10-21-2010, 08:15 AM
Weren't the equites singulares an elite force in that they were specially selected to be the "best of the best"?
As well as working "close protection" for the emperor, detachments were apparently also deployed on occasion to the provinces.
Also, wouldn't speculatores have performed the Roman equivalent of the tasks performed by "special forces'" recce units in more recent times? As time went on they also evidently diversified into all sorts of other roles, including diplomatic courier work, prisoner handling, interrogations, executions and other similar "wet work".
There are lots of other occasions in ancient histories where "picked men" undertake special missions, but I think the notion of some kind of "Roman army commandos" in the sense usually understood today is definitely an anachronism.
+++ Harry +++++++++
"Ramming speed!"
As well as working "close protection" for the emperor, detachments were apparently also deployed on occasion to the provinces.
Also, wouldn't speculatores have performed the Roman equivalent of the tasks performed by "special forces'" recce units in more recent times? As time went on they also evidently diversified into all sorts of other roles, including diplomatic courier work, prisoner handling, interrogations, executions and other similar "wet work".
There are lots of other occasions in ancient histories where "picked men" undertake special missions, but I think the notion of some kind of "Roman army commandos" in the sense usually understood today is definitely an anachronism.
+++ Harry +++++++++
"Ramming speed!"
Hello, my name is Harry.