03-16-2012, 08:39 AM
Vegetius was according to what I've read, not a soldier or historuan. He strikes me as more of a hobbyist quite aware that the Roman army of is day was a far cry from its salad days. I would think that he would have grumbled extensively to anyone who would listen about the slackness, lack of discipline, and unRomaness of the army of his day which had so degenerated from its quality in the time of the Late Republic,Augustus, and Trajan. So he pieced together organisational info from assorted sources and being an armchair general, tossed in some ideas of his own. Unfortunately, who knows regarding this issue? Seems like many non-Roman soldiers could fight as they were used to fighting. Maybe some of them felt like they could fight better unemcumbered? Or maybe they were recruits unable for the moment to provide armor? Quite possibly that late in the game, arming recruits was not as easy as it once was. Maybe the better troops got first crack at the good stuff and the foriegn soldiers had to wait in line?
Caesar audieritis hoc
