03-21-2014, 03:44 PM
That's what I think too: that was an error by Zozimus himself, not a medieval copyist.
As for the "Vegetian Legion." You make some interesting points Steven, but IMO direct evidence suggests otherwise.
Let's ignore my theory of Juniores and Seniores, and say that (using the Justinian Papyrus and Sozomen) a Numerus numbers only 600 men.
Well, in that case the 5 regiments in Macezel's force would number 3000 men, and the 2 Legions would number 1000 each; not an implausible number.
The Legions that marched down from Illyria though, would number 1350 men each. That is a significantly larger number: could they have also numbered 1000 men, but included Legionary cavalry of some sort?
And of course there is also the issue of John Lydus' Legions still. Are they 1500 each? 750 each? Is it a Numerus of Mattiarii numbering 600 and a Legion of Lanciarii numbering 900?
As for the "Vegetian Legion." You make some interesting points Steven, but IMO direct evidence suggests otherwise.
Let's ignore my theory of Juniores and Seniores, and say that (using the Justinian Papyrus and Sozomen) a Numerus numbers only 600 men.
Well, in that case the 5 regiments in Macezel's force would number 3000 men, and the 2 Legions would number 1000 each; not an implausible number.
The Legions that marched down from Illyria though, would number 1350 men each. That is a significantly larger number: could they have also numbered 1000 men, but included Legionary cavalry of some sort?
And of course there is also the issue of John Lydus' Legions still. Are they 1500 each? 750 each? Is it a Numerus of Mattiarii numbering 600 and a Legion of Lanciarii numbering 900?
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