A Theory About Vegetius

[Flavivs Aetivs]

Dating Vegetius has vexed many historians. Most appear to agree that he wrote the 'Epitome' before the sack of Rome in 410AD. However, I'm not entirely convinced about this. He does make reference to the 'destruction of many great cities' which perhaps hints at the sack of Rome. He also wrote that he did not need to comment on the arms and equipment of the Roman cavalry as they had 'been brought into perfection after the manner of the Huns, Goths and Alans'. This would imply that the Roman cavalry of his time were either being or had been reequiped with spear and bow. The Goth's had been hired by the Romans in increasing numbers from 323AD when Constantine I inflicted a great defeat on them and had them agree to a treaty to supply troops. He may well have had them for the preparation of his Sasanid Persia invasion which was postponed due to his death at the beginning of the campaign. We know that Constantius II approached the Goth's for troops and may have employed them on several occasions. Julian had 'Sythian auxilliaries' during his invasion of Sasanid Persia. During the reign of Valens Goths were hired not only by Valen's but also by at least one attempted Usurper. Valens himself sent the army of Thrace over the Danube to support Fritigern in the war against his Gothic countryman Athanaric. Valen's was forced to renegotiate the Roman treaty after his abortive attempts at subduing the Goths between 367 and 369AD. Theodosius also renegotiated the treaty after his defeat of the Goths in 383AD. Alans were hired by Gratian in 380AD and may have lead to his murder by Roman jealousy. Huns were perhaps hired as early as 400AD in Egypt, more likely after 420AD, which would date the Epitome after the sack of Rome.
I still believe its highly likely Vegetius may not have actually have seen a 'Roman' soldier, instead only seeing Gothic infantry hired by one of the Later Emperors when he wrote his work and thats why he rails so much against the 'barbarisation' of the Roman army during his day. It may also explain his comments on unarmoured troops as its probably that most Gothic recruits would have just been armed in their native weapons and attire until they could be supplied with Roman arms and equipment, if indeed they were resupplied at all.

In that case it could be implying that he was writing during Constantius III's campaigns against the Suebes/Alans/Vandals in Spain; as the Romans had hired a large Number of Gothic troops to supplement thier army And Stilicho had already hired Hunnic Troops int he past I believe.