09-14-2008, 12:36 AM
Quote:while i am here,does anyone out there know if Roman military titles or ranks were ever given out to War Leaders of Foederati in the Late 4th Century,even minor specimens,Wassail,Ioannes Sebald.
Interesting question, Ioannes. I had a quick look at Hugh Elton's Warfare in Roman Europe, as he looks at the 'barbarianisation' of the army at this time. He notes that the terms foederati and auxilia were used indifferently and possibly for the same troops at the time, but he prefers to reserve foederati for regular comitatensis units of 'barbarian' troops generally organised, equipped and treated like the 'Roman' ones, i.e. led by the same officer structure - a tribune sometimes called praepositus in charge.
He identifies the auxilia as 'allies', barbarian groups raised for specific campaigns and often settled in reward, led by Roman strategic command under the direct control of their own nobles - if it these you are interested in, I think I'll have to look further for ideas - do you have a particular unit or national group in mind? Elton records Ammianus Marcelinus referring to Allamani feoderati in Britain?
cheers
Salvianus: Ste Kenwright
A member of Comitatus Late Roman Historical Re-enactment Group
My Re-enactment Journal
~ antiquum obtinens ~
A member of Comitatus Late Roman Historical Re-enactment Group
My Re-enactment Journal
~ antiquum obtinens ~