01-20-2021, 08:32 AM
Here’s a basic summary of my investigation into the so-called Late Roman legion.
A full strength the legion includes both the iuniores and seniores. What is horrendous about this legion is the legion’s horizontal organisation has the same number of men as its vertical organisation.
The legion of iuniores and seniores is reduced in size with the removal of the reserves. I use the term “reserves” as this is mentioned in the battle of Adrianople. I have no idea what the correct troop types would be for this period. So with the removal of the reserves, both iuniores and seniores, the legion is reduced in size by one third.
Next arrangement is a full strength legion includes both the iuniores and seniores. However, then the seniores are removed.
Next, the legion consists of all the iuniores, but this time, one vexillation is removed.
Next, the legion consists of all the iuniores, but this time, the reserves of iuniores are removed.
Next, the legion consists of all the iuniores, but this time, the reserves and one vexillation are removed.
Now think of all the number possibilities you can get.
At present, with the seniores (infantry), I have a cuneus amounting to six centuries, and without the seniores, five centuries. This is because the seniores represent one-sixth of the iuniores. For the cavalry, with the inclusion of the seniores, six squadrons, and without the seniores, five squadrons of iuniores.
Malalas writes that Julian “set as scouts brave men from the arithmos of the lanciarii and the mattiarii 1,500 men. Ammianus also confirms the number of soldiers to be 1,500 men. From Sozomen, I know the size of an arithmoi, but I have no idea of how many men were selected from each arithmoi as there is no information as to the number of arithmoi of the lanciarii and mattiarii. From my organizational chart, the 1,500 men would be reorganized into to five units each of 300 men.
Ammianus writes that “the emperor Constantius demanded 300 picked men from each numerus in Julian’s army.” Again in 378 AD, Ammianus writes that Sebastianus had been directed to choose 300 soldiers from each numerus to meet the Goths at Adrianople.
Are these translations of Ammianus correct? Does it actually say “numerus”? Also when the Romans selected men from various units, they have two methods I have become aware of, men and generally replacements selected from each century, and the second method is to select whole centuries. In this manner, the officers accompany the century, so no need to find new officers.
Most of the conclusions I have come to boils down to the Late Roman army being based on the vexillation organisation with or without the seniores and the reserves. Sometimes, well most of the time, if feels like two extra wheels have been added to the enigma machine.
A full strength the legion includes both the iuniores and seniores. What is horrendous about this legion is the legion’s horizontal organisation has the same number of men as its vertical organisation.
The legion of iuniores and seniores is reduced in size with the removal of the reserves. I use the term “reserves” as this is mentioned in the battle of Adrianople. I have no idea what the correct troop types would be for this period. So with the removal of the reserves, both iuniores and seniores, the legion is reduced in size by one third.
Next arrangement is a full strength legion includes both the iuniores and seniores. However, then the seniores are removed.
Next, the legion consists of all the iuniores, but this time, one vexillation is removed.
Next, the legion consists of all the iuniores, but this time, the reserves of iuniores are removed.
Next, the legion consists of all the iuniores, but this time, the reserves and one vexillation are removed.
Now think of all the number possibilities you can get.
At present, with the seniores (infantry), I have a cuneus amounting to six centuries, and without the seniores, five centuries. This is because the seniores represent one-sixth of the iuniores. For the cavalry, with the inclusion of the seniores, six squadrons, and without the seniores, five squadrons of iuniores.
Malalas writes that Julian “set as scouts brave men from the arithmos of the lanciarii and the mattiarii 1,500 men. Ammianus also confirms the number of soldiers to be 1,500 men. From Sozomen, I know the size of an arithmoi, but I have no idea of how many men were selected from each arithmoi as there is no information as to the number of arithmoi of the lanciarii and mattiarii. From my organizational chart, the 1,500 men would be reorganized into to five units each of 300 men.
Ammianus writes that “the emperor Constantius demanded 300 picked men from each numerus in Julian’s army.” Again in 378 AD, Ammianus writes that Sebastianus had been directed to choose 300 soldiers from each numerus to meet the Goths at Adrianople.
Are these translations of Ammianus correct? Does it actually say “numerus”? Also when the Romans selected men from various units, they have two methods I have become aware of, men and generally replacements selected from each century, and the second method is to select whole centuries. In this manner, the officers accompany the century, so no need to find new officers.
Most of the conclusions I have come to boils down to the Late Roman army being based on the vexillation organisation with or without the seniores and the reserves. Sometimes, well most of the time, if feels like two extra wheels have been added to the enigma machine.
