03-27-2014, 12:36 PM
Adrian wrote:
Don't forget the other mentions of 300, 500
Some of the references to 500 men are for specialist troops to either climb a mountain or swim a river. I do not believe these are official unit organisations but selected men for a specific mission.
Adrian wrote:
and either 750 or 1500 men (depending on how you interpret the information) taken from each Legion that Ammianus mentions.
Is it interpreted “from each legion” or the army? I have references to 1500 men can break down to five units of 300 men. As to 750, I have not come across that one.
Adrian wrote:
Trying to figure out the size of the legions from those figures is also extremely difficult, unless of course you believe the legions were 3000 or 6000 men strong during the 4th century.
I do not believe the legion numbered 1200 men or 1000 men. I do believe the Romans have a core legion size, and as in the past, they add to it so as to bring the number up to a size they believe will be suited to the mission. The size I have for the core Late Roman legion is very common to the Romans. It existed from the Servian constitution and remained around until the mid republic. Polybius (6 19 8-9) knows of its existence but unfortunately no one has taken any interest in this aspect of Polybius’ narrative.
Don't forget the other mentions of 300, 500
Some of the references to 500 men are for specialist troops to either climb a mountain or swim a river. I do not believe these are official unit organisations but selected men for a specific mission.
Adrian wrote:
and either 750 or 1500 men (depending on how you interpret the information) taken from each Legion that Ammianus mentions.
Is it interpreted “from each legion” or the army? I have references to 1500 men can break down to five units of 300 men. As to 750, I have not come across that one.
Adrian wrote:
Trying to figure out the size of the legions from those figures is also extremely difficult, unless of course you believe the legions were 3000 or 6000 men strong during the 4th century.
I do not believe the legion numbered 1200 men or 1000 men. I do believe the Romans have a core legion size, and as in the past, they add to it so as to bring the number up to a size they believe will be suited to the mission. The size I have for the core Late Roman legion is very common to the Romans. It existed from the Servian constitution and remained around until the mid republic. Polybius (6 19 8-9) knows of its existence but unfortunately no one has taken any interest in this aspect of Polybius’ narrative.
