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+--- Thread: Legions Under Aetius (/showthread.php?tid=10162)
Legions Under Aetius - A. Flavius - 08-12-2007
Hello all,
I've recently began looking into the so called 'Last Roman in the West', and I've been digging around but have yet to find anything definite about the primary historical source of his life. The closest I can get is Gregory of Tours' Historia Francorum, which apparently contains parts of Frigiderius' history. Is this the only source for the life of Aetius, or are there others?
Also, do we not what sort of military manpower Aetius would have had as Magister Militum per Gallias? As I understand it, by this point the Western Empire was composed of little more then Italy, Africa (until Boniface let the Vandals in), and pockets of Gaul. For the most part, and correct me if I'm wrong, Vandals had taken the Spains, and there were huge pockets of Goths living in Gaul. Illyria by the point I think was under the administration of the Eastern Empire. I think.
Could we have expected Aetius to have the full compliments of troops registered in the Notitia Dignitatum for Gaul, or would that just be wishful thinking. Is there any indication at all on just what sort of troops he commanded in terms of type and numbers?
Cheers,
Scott.
Re: Legions Under Aetius - Paulus Claudius Damianus - 08-12-2007
Hello!
Mentions to Aetius into the Avitus and Majorianus panegyrics write by the bishop Sidoine Appolinaris.
Re: Legions Under Aetius - Agraes - 08-12-2007
Merobaudes actually wrote the panegyric of Aetius.
Aetius - Paullus Scipio - 08-12-2007
The two main sources are Gregory of Tours and Flavius Merobaudes, as stated above. He is mentioned in Procopius also ( Vand 1.3.16) and in fragments known as prisci fragmenta.
Good secondary sources are Mommsen Ges. Schr. Oost, Gallia Placida and Clover Flavius Merobaudes.
For the Roman Army of this time, A.H.M. Jones Late Roman Empire is fairly good.
Re: Legions Under Aetius - taira1180 - 08-13-2007
Not all Hispania belonged to the visigoths, until the late 461 (with Majoranus), part still recognized the roman imperor. But only the guarnitions in the cities were available. Some of the fights between the romans and invaders were made between local populations (like in the nort of Galicia against the vandals), the great landhowners with their slaves, or of course with foederati troops; the counts didn't have oficial troops like palatini or comitati.